Bethany Van Waardhuizen, LMHC, QS, MCAP
Hello! I’m Bethany. My last name is pronounced “van-ward-hi-zen” - it’s Dutch. My pronouns are she/her/hers. I grew up in Iowa on a farm, went to college in the Chicagoland area and now live in Florida for over 18 years. I’m married, have a daughter, an bearded dragon and a tank full of fish. When I’m not providing therapeutic support to my clients you can find me cooking, reading, tending my plant babies, going to the gym and practicing meditation.
I love focusing on a wholistic version of health for myself and my clients whenever possible. I love to provide insight, perspective, and validation, often while using humor. I am very interactive with my style and love getting to know you through our sessions. I like to ask questions to help you think things through that you may not have thought of before and, often, this includes talking about your past and childhood. The context this provides is so valuable for both of us. I am very open to feedback and want your experience with therapy to be suited to your needs. I invite you to ask for what you need, and be honest about what is helping or what isn’t.
I believe that every single thing we’ve been through or decided up to this point led us to the very moment we’re in right now - everything and everyone are interconnected in a vast and beautiful web. By improving our own wellness we create a ripple effect for ourselves and others around us. We can’t help but influence others with our choices and our energy.
I have been practicing therapy for over 15 years. My degree is a Masters in Mental Health Counseling. I have additional certifications of Masters Certified Addiction Professional and am a Qualified Supervisor for Mental Health Counselors, helping new counselors to grow in their skills as they work to become licensed professionals themselves.
I chose the name Yellow Tree Counseling because I wanted something that felt right - I love trees and all the vitality they provide. There’s also so much in the tree metaphor that makes sense for therapy - the roots are our history, the trunk our way of growing and existing in the world, the branches and leaves unique to every single tree just as we ourselves are unique, the amazing amount of life and abundance trees make possible that mirrors the abundance we can have in our own lives when we’re healthy and well. Yellow is a color that represents abundance, growth, inspiration, happiness, brightness and a lightness that I think we’re all aspiring to find.