About Terra Leigh Bell

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LH 61295736) specializing in complex trauma and emotional dysregulation in adults throughout Washington State. I offer telehealth sessions statewide, and walk-and-talk outdoor sessions seasonally near Chimacum and Port Townsend.

My foundations


I approach psychotherapy with my own experiences and passions. I’ve worked in medical clinics and hospitals, community mental health, eating disorder treatment, and infant and perinatal mental health treatment. This is my first tool box. I keep it available to draw on, or discuss, whenever it might be helpful.

That being said, it’s important to me that I avoid hitting everyone over the head with “what worked for me,” or even what worked for previous patients. And so, I ground myself in theory and research. This is my second toolbox. I work with a few different lenses:

  • I spend a lot of time reading peer-reviewed research, particularly in the domain of trauma and stress, and Buddhist approaches to psychology. I work to apply best practices to my own work. Buddhist psychology, what’s often called “Contemplative Psychotherapy,” and evidence-based therapies that draw from these domains are my strongest influences.

  • I studied existential-phenomenological psychology and philosophy at Seattle University. I am interested in the ways personal crisis and change open up opportunities for more honesty with ourselves and those around us. I have training in phenomenological, qualitative research, and I continue to read in philosophy.

  • And I draw on somatic psychology and yogic philosophy. I’ve studied yoga, vedanta, and samkhya philosophy and practice for years, and I’ve been excited to see how somatic psychology and approaches to healing are taking off in the world of therapy.

If any of this sounds confusing (or even pretentious!), please feel free to ask me for more information.

Advanced Training & Credentials


EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist

I am a certified EMDR therapist through EMDRIA, the internationally recognized authority on EMDR treatment. EMDR is an evidence-based treatment for traumatic stress disorders, and EMDRIA’s trainings and certifications are the gold standard for practicing EMDR therapy. I continue to receive consultation from EMDRIA consultants to ensure the highest quality of patient care possible. If you’re interested in EMDR, I have more about it here.

ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider

The ADHD-CCSP certification is a comprehensive training and set of exams that focuses on a clinician’s ability to “treat” (or, I think more accurately, work with) ADHD. Clinicians who pursue this certification have some leeway in choosing which pathways to focus on. I studied: ADHD in adults, ADHD in women, mindfulness-based interventions for ADHD, emotional dysregulation in folks with ADHD, and differential diagnosis (the basics of distinguishing ADHD from “look-alike” conditions).

I am not qualified to assess for or diagnose ADHD. If you are looking for neurodivergent-affirming assessment and possible diagnosis, please feel free to reach out, and I’m happy to make referrals!

Internal Family Systems (IFS): Level 2

Internal Family Systems is a treatment approach that was originally developed to work with complex trauma and eating disorders. A growing body of evidence has shown it to be effective in the treatment of a variety of mental health problems. I have studied IFS through Level 2 in the IFS Institute and I continue to study its applications, particularly with trauma and neurodivergence.

Buddhist Psychology Training: Spirit Rock

Spirit Rock, a Buddhist center based in California, has a long history of integrating the wisdom of Buddhism into psychology and psychotherapy. Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, two influential teachers in the Vipassana tradition, are both clinical psychologists, and have done much to support the integration of Buddhist thought and practice into psychotherapy. I completed a six-month training in Buddhist psychology with Matthew Brensilver, through Spirit Rock.

Registered Yoga Teacher - 200 hr (Yoga Alliance)

I first completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training in Tamil Nadu, India, in 2010. I continue to pursue continuing education, as well as still being a dedicated yogi in my personal life. Lately my studies have focused on the growing area of what’s often called somatic yoga. I maintain registration through the Yoga Alliance, the gold standard for yoga teacher qualifications.

On a personal note

I was born and raised in Seattle. I’m a descendant of German, French, and Irish immigrants, and I continue to live and work in the Pacific Northwest, on the traditional territory of the Chimacum, S’Klallam, and Umatilla tribes.

I found my way to psychotherapy by way of an interest in midwifery and philosophy. (I bet you didn’t know Socrates’s mom was a midwife!) My background is in literature and philosophy, and I still draw on these frequently. Feminist and post-colonial theory, as well as anthropology, have strongly influenced my work as a therapist.

My bachelor’s degree was in creative writing, and I continue to write poetry and essays, and I’m a passionate reader. I volunteer with a local animal rescue, and generally try to make a nuisance of myself to my elected officials on all things environment and conservation.

I am an Licensed Mental Health Counselor serving adults throughout Washington State, and my license number is LH 61295736.