Silvia Behrend

Name: Reverend Doctor Silvia Behrend

Business Information
Business Name: Behrend Counseling Arts
Address: 2331 Bethel ST. NE. Olympia, Wa
Phone: 360 259 3971
Email: revdocsil@gmail.com
Website: Behrend Counseling Arts
Silvia's profile with Good Therapy

Payment
What insurance companies do you work with? I do not work with insurance companies
How much do you charge? Is it a sliding scale? I charge $120 an hour with a cash payment discount. There is a sliding scale available. Payment plans are negotiable.

Education and Credentials
What is your training? What qualifications do you hold? I hold a Masters of Divinity Degree and Doctor of Ministry Degree, as well as completing 1200 hours of supervised clinical work in hospital settings. I was a minister in a large church for 12 years.
How long have you been practicing? I have been practicing for over 17 years, the majority of those years were in the parish setting where I dealt with issues ranging from life to death, sexuality, loss, grief, glbtq and all the issues human beings face in the life journey.
Are you a member of any professional organizations? Yes, the most relevant organization for my work as a counselor is Good Therapy, an association of therapists and counselors who believe in a non-pathological approach to human beings.
What types of therapy do you prefer to use? My work is based on the understanding that we are not problems to be fixed, but mysteries to be embraced as Parker Palmer says. My work is informed by the tenets of self-psychology, Rogerian (unconditional positive regard), art therapy, and soul work. I understand all work to be soul work, as we all long to become whole human beings.

Queer issues
What is your understanding of transgender/transsexual and the issues revolving around it? I understand that transgender/transsexual issues are complex and multi-layered, affected by the culture, society and religious worldviews that render transpeople invisible while also making it very dangerous to be seen. I understand how sex (physical presentation), gender roles (socially contructed), gender identification (self-identification) and sexuality interact with one another in unique ways for each individual.
What kind of experience have you had with transgender patients? In my parish work, I have been an educator, advocate and companion to transitioning people and their families. In my personal life, I am married to a transgender partner.
What experience do you have with queer patients? As my counseling is based on soul work, I see all clients as whole human beings. Descriptions of gender identity seem to be a necessaru response to the world which negates a client's own experience of themselves. I work to allow the soul to express itself in a congruent way.
Are you willing to write letters for hormones and/or surgery? What criteria do you require? I am willing to write letters, however, I can only write them in the capacity of a clergy person.
Do you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, etc? I do not identify myself in any category because I understand them to be fluid and complex. I believe that my own identity as a whole human being allows me to treat clients with the greatest respect and dignity that we all deserve.

General
What subjects do you specialize in or work with? I work with soul and gender, soul and role, and how to incorporate the soul into our roles in the world. Art is a big component of my understanding of how we can come to wholeness.
Are you willing to work with other mental health or medical professionals a patient has worked with? Always.
Are you willing to meet with family or partners? Always.


Have you gone to see Silvia Behrend? Please post about your experience in the comments section. Anonymous comments are always welcome.