Wendi Cancilla , LMHC

Wendi Cancilla is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) practicing in Washington with 24 years of experience guiding people through complex life transitions and persistent challenges. She specializes in stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, family and parenting concerns, anger, addictions, grief, sleep difficulties, low self-esteem, career issues, depression, and coping with life changes, and she brings focused attention to areas such as compassion fatigue and ADHD. Her practice also addresses related concerns including abandonment, adoption and foster care, aging and geriatric matters, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, codependency, communication problems, dissociation, and other co-occurring conditions.

Wendi has worked with diverse populations, including veterans, survivors of assault, and people managing chronic health conditions, offering evidence-informed care for panic disorders, posttraumatic stress, caregiver burnout, workplace stress, and interpersonal conflict. She is particularly committed to supporting adult children of parents with substance use disorders and clinicians addressing parental mental health across pregnancy, postpartum, and child development stages. As an LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor - she integrates therapeutic strategies tailored to each individual's needs while remaining attentive to cultural and situational context.

Wendi's approach emphasizes compassionate, practical support that helps clients develop resilient coping strategies and clearer self-understanding. Her goal is to help people move toward meaningful, sustainable change by building skills and resources that fit their lives and values.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Wendi often integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Focused Therapy to address symptoms and patterns that interfere with daily life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps clients identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, making it useful for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress. Trauma-Focused Therapy concentrates on processing traumatic experiences and reducing their ongoing impact, which can help with posttraumatic stress, dissociation, and intense emotional reactions.

Motivational Interviewing is also part of her toolkit when clients are ambivalent about change. This collaborative, goal-oriented approach supports motivation and builds commitment to practical steps, which can be valuable for addictions, career transitions, and lifestyle changes.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Wendi works with each person to determine which strategies fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques as progress unfolds. Online therapy makes these options more accessible through flexible formats. Video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging allow clients to engage in therapy from different settings and on varied schedules, supporting continuity of care and easier integration into everyday life while working with licensed professionals and therapists.