Clinicians

John Patella, Ed.D., LMHC

ABOUT

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with more than 30 years of experience in teaching, counseling, and mentoring students and clients across educational and clinical settings. My background includes work in high schools, community colleges, and universities, where I have specialized in adolescent development, family systems, and educational effectiveness. At Envision Counseling, I provide individual and family therapy services rooted in a strength-based, culturally responsive, and client-centered approach.

My clinical interests include parenting support, adolescent transitions, college and career readiness, family dynamics, and multicultural mental health. I have extensive experience supporting clients through anxiety, identity development, relational stress, and life transitions. I am deeply committed to creating a safe and supportive space for clients of all backgrounds, including LGBTQ+ individuals and communities navigating cultural intersections.

I view each client within the context of their developmental stage, family system, and broader environment. My therapeutic style integrates systemic thinking with educational and cognitive-behavioral strategies. I help clients explore personal challenges, strengthen family communication, and cultivate resilience. In therapy, I often draw upon tools such as life planning exercises, psychoeducational strategies, and structured reflection to support insight and progress.

Outside of my clinical practice, I continue to serve as university faculty and a mentor to emerging professionals in counseling and psychology. I have presented widely on mental health topics including parenting, stress management, and student development. I currently serve as a Psychology adjunct faculty member at Northwest University in Kirkland, where I teach courses at the under-graduate, Master’s and Doctorate Programs in developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, and community mental health. My teaching portfolio also includes instruction in psychotherapy systems, child and adolescent therapy, and cognition. Over the past two decades, I have taught graduate and undergraduate courses in psychology, human development, and counseling at institutions such as Northwest University, Central Washington University, and Trinity Lutheran College.

Experience & Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology – Western Washington University
• Master of Arts in Educational Psychology – University of Washington
• Doctorate of Education in School Counseling – Seattle Pacific University
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor – License # LH00009059

Insurance

I am a preferred provider with Aetna, Cigna, First Choice, Kaiser Permanente, Optum, Premera, and Regence. Please call for inquiries regarding additional insurance plans.

Self-Pay

A Good Faith Estimate of expected charges will be provided when scheduling an appointment or upon request for self-pay clients.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation is required 24-hours in advance of the appointment to avoid $100 fee.