UnitedHealthcare Therapist in Bellingham, Washington
Currently accepting new clients with UnitedHealthcare and Optum insurance
It is possible to be capable, insightful, and resilient—and still find yourself struggling.
You may feel anxious or constantly on alert. You may recognize patterns in your life but feel unable to change them. Past experiences might continue to affect your relationships, emotions, or sense of safety. Or perhaps life simply feels heavier than it should, and you need a place where you can be honest without being judged, hurried, or fixed.
I am a licensed mental health counselor with more than 15 years of experience. I currently accept many UnitedHealthcare plans, including plans whose behavioral health benefits are administered through Optum. I provide individual therapy for adults in person in Bellingham and through secure online counseling across Washington State.
A thoughtful place to understand what is keeping you stuck
Many of my clients have already spent considerable time thinking about their lives. They understand where some of their struggles come from, but understanding has not necessarily helped them feel different.
Therapy can help us move beyond simply identifying a problem. Together, we can pay attention to the deeper emotional patterns, protective responses, and unresolved experiences that continue to influence your life. We can also develop practical ways to work with overwhelming emotions, respond differently to triggers, and create more room for choice.
I work with adults facing concerns such as:
- Anxiety and chronic worry
- Trauma and PTSD
- Depression
- Emotional or nervous-system overwhelm
- Life transitions
- Relationship and family difficulties
- Grief and loss
- Self-esteem and identity concerns
- Men’s issues
- Stress and burnout
- Faith and spiritual questions
Our work will be shaped around your needs rather than a predetermined formula. You do not need to have everything figured out before beginning.
What counseling with me is like
My approach is warm, relational, grounded, and curious. I will listen carefully to your story, help you notice patterns that may be difficult to see from the inside, and gently name what appears to be getting in the way.
I draw from Internal Family Systems-informed therapy, DBT, mindfulness, psychodynamic therapy, and trauma-focused approaches. Depending on your needs, counseling might involve exploring the origins of a recurring pattern, becoming more aware of the different parts of yourself, learning to regulate intense emotions, or developing a more compassionate and honest relationship with yourself.
I do not see therapy as a process of fixing something defective within you. Many behaviors and emotional responses developed for understandable reasons. When we approach them with curiosity rather than shame, meaningful change becomes possible.
Faith can also be included if it is important to you. Faith can involve hope and meaning, but also uncertainty, disappointment, and struggle. You are welcome to bring those questions into therapy without pressure or easy answers. Clients of any faith or no faith are welcome.
In-person and online appointments
I offer in-person counseling at my Fairhaven office:
Matt Meyer, MC, LMHC
1106 Harris Avenue, Suite 201
Bellingham, WA 98225
I also provide secure telehealth counseling to adults throughout Washington State. Online therapy allows you to meet from a private location without traveling to Bellingham and offers the same opportunity for thoughtful, relationship-centered work.
Using UnitedHealthcare or Optum insurance for therapy
I currently accept many UnitedHealthcare plans, including behavioral health plans managed through Optum. UnitedHealthcare offers several different plan types and networks, so participation and coverage must be confirmed for your particular policy.
Before scheduling, consider calling the member-services number on your insurance card and asking:
- Is Matt Meyer, LMHC, in network with my specific plan?
- Are my mental health benefits administered by UnitedHealthcare, Optum, or another company?
- Does my plan cover outpatient individual psychotherapy?
- What deductible, copayment, or coinsurance applies?
- Is preauthorization or a referral required?
- Does my plan cover both office visits and telehealth sessions?
I am happy to help with basic billing questions. However, verification of benefits is not a guarantee that an insurance claim will be paid. UnitedHealthcare or Optum makes the final determination regarding coverage, eligibility, and your financial responsibility.
You do not have to carry everything alone
Beginning therapy can feel uncertain. You may not know how to explain what is happening or even whether your concerns are “serious enough.” You can begin exactly where you are.
I offer a free 15-minute consultation where you can ask questions, briefly describe what you are looking for, and get a sense of whether working together feels right.
If you are ready to begin, I would be glad to hear from you.