- 1817 Queen Anne Ave, Suite 202, Seattle, WA
- 707-440-9288
- ian@ianmackelvie.com
- 707-440-9288
- ian@ianmackelvie.com
Therapy does not have to begin with prescriptions, and many are interested in alternative approaches where appropriate. If you are currently taking prescriptions for mental health and are wanting to reduce your dependence, we would work together (with support with your prescriber) to discover new ways to manage. This approach is also designed for those that are currently self medicating as well.
We live in a culture that often turns to substances, whether prescribed or recreational, as the first response to pain, anxiety, or discomfort. While that approach can offer short-term relief, it can also make it harder to know what’s actually going on underneath.
Our work together, would focus on you rebuilding you innate ability to manage your life, get curious about your patterns, and strengthen your resilient ability to hold more without shutting down or reaching outside for escape. All biological organisms are hard wired to survive and strive towards health. Therapy can be a support that helps our whole system allign to that inner capacity.
I don’t require people to stop using substances before starting therapy. But if substance use is clearly affecting your life or your ability to be present in the work, we will talk about it. It is not uncommon for me to ask someone to stop using certain substances while in therapy. This approach is actually understood by most very quickly. If we are trying to address your emotional states, and substances are designed to alter them, then we need to pause them to evaluate what they do for you emotionally. When you take a break from substances, even temporarily, you start to see what’s underneath and build momentum.
I also will work with you and your medical provider if you are wanting to decrease a reliance on a prescription medication. The combination of psychotherapy and prescription management can be highly effective, but many want to reduce prescriptions, especially when there are side effects that are disliked. This is something we can talk about day one in our work.
Committing to therapy means setting yourself up for your best possible success. When I ask people to consider evaluating the impact of self medicating or prescriptions in their life, the purpose is not to make someone feel like what they are doing is wrong. This work is about discovering what’s possible when you stop trying to only manage symptoms, and start listening to what those symptoms are actually trying to say. Medication free therapy is for those who want to strengthen coping skills and reduce reliance on medications or substances, with the support of prescribers or other professionals.
I check my emails and office line Monday thru Friday, and typically reach out within 24 hours to let you know if I have availability. You won’t be left wondering.
After a brief conversation, and an explanation of my process, we can find a time that works for both of us.
Whether in person or remote, making a commitment to therapy takes guts. Together, we will explore your wants and find the path to get there.
No. You do not need to stop using medications or substances to begin therapy. It is not a clean cut rule at all, but if we develop understanding in your work that it should be evaluated, we will figure that out together.
It means therapy that doesn’t rely on psychiatric drugs or self medicating as the primary tool for managing distress. Instead, we focus on building your internal capacity to regulate emotions, process trauma, and tolerate discomfort in more sustainable ways. If you are able to commit to that shared goal then therapy can continue.
Not at all. I support personal choice and careful evaluation. For some people, medication plays an important role. This is why it’s important for prescribers to be involved. But many come here because they want to explore other ways to feel better, especially after side effects or feeling emotionally blunted.
I use breath work, somatic interventions, character analysis, psychodynamic exploration, and therapeutic confrontation. The goal is to discover the roots of issues and gain clarity that can lead to a significant decrease of negative emotions or states that leave you feeling out of control or in need of escape. Together, these help strengthen your ability to respond to stress and connect with your full emotional self.
Use the Contact Form to give me some brief details of what you’re experiencing. You can also call or email me. I try to respond to all contacts and inquiries within 24 hours, Monday thru Thursday.
