Tonia N. Adams, MS, LMHC, LPC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
(360) 243-7959 | [email protected]
Our path is often marred by the many distractions that keep us from finding our true identity and God’s purpose for our lives. My passion is to facilitate clarity and provide support by helping you find meaning in the midst of your suffering and increasing the awareness and potential for choice. Our past does not define us; it is what we do with our circumstances that molds our character. We always have a choice in how we respond to life. “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor E. Frankl
Silverdale – Tue and Thu
Onlinr (WA Only) – Wed
As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), I have years of experience helping individuals from various backgrounds overcome concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma, codependency and other relationship problems, ADHD, abandonment issues, and more. Together in session we will work to identify any unhelpful thought patterns and behavior habits, then establish practical steps to replace those with thoughts and actions that will result in a more purposeful, joy-filled, God-honoring life. I use a variety of proven therapeutic techniques depending on each client’s unique situation in order to ensure a personalized approach that will serve you well.
My Goal as a Christian Counselor
Often mental health issues such as depression and anxiety manifest from unresolved trauma and/or an inability to know or express our true selves. I enjoy helping people explore their authentic selves by asking the question, “What does it look like to be me?” By integrating your answers with the spiritual, emotional, physical, and social aspects of your being, I will help you live a more fulfilling life.
What I Offer in Christian Counseling
I offer a safe space without any judgment. I believe part of healing and learning to live well is acknowledging our true thoughts and feelings and being transparent about who we are and what we have done. With compassion and the love of God, I will offer nuggets of wisdom and often relate my personal experience if it is therapeutically beneficial along with practical exercises to help you reach your goals for therapy.
My Approach to Christian Counseling
I have learned we all need a moral compass, a guide, and that comes in the form of the Bible and the Holy Spirit. Left to our own devices, we will often choose unhealthy behaviors and coping skills which appear to be benign at the forefront. Satan is at work and we are in an intense spiritual battle, one we cannot win alone. We all suffer, but those who have God and a community of godly people in their lives tend to suffer well. With His help, it is possible to make even our painful experiences meaningful.
Qualifications & Experience
I hold a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University Online and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University of North Texas. I have over eight years of experience serving in the mental health field working with clients dealing with a broad range of concerns.
My Call to Christian Counseling
My journey to become a counselor was prompted by my love of helping people navigate life’s chaos, nurtured by my empathic nature, and spurred on by my introduction to existentialism in high school. I have a family history of dealing with death, divorce, suicide, terminal illness, and alcoholism, all of which cultivated my desire to walk alongside others in their pain.
More About Me/On a Personal Note
I love connecting with people. I am a natural extrovert and am energized by socializing. My husband and I travel often and have plans to retire on a boat to sail the world. The water is my happy place and it is even better when my husband and our dog are there to share it with me. I enjoy writing about the chaos of life and I love reading and watching true crime and solving mysteries. My recently published book explores the taboo subject of being Christian, rejecting God, and contemplating suicide, then His disciples loving me back into the fold which ultimately strengthened my faith and purpose.
Areas of Expertise/Specialties
- Abandonment and Neglect
- ADHD
- Anger Management
- Anxiety
- Codependency
- Depression
- Grief and Loss
- Individual Counseling
- Infidelity and Affairs
- OCD
- Personal Development
- Relationship Issues
- Sexual Abuse
- Spiritual Development
- Trauma
- Women’s Issues
ADHD
Studies show that ADHD is more prevalent than we once thought, particularly in women, and it does not just manifest as an inability to sit down or concentrate. Often, it looks like difficulty prioritizing or completing tasks, getting up repeatedly during a movie to do something, or simply being unable to maintain your calendar. Together, we will identify how ADHD impacts you and ways to manage those symptoms so that you can control the squirrels and reduce the chaos in your life.
Anxiety
When you have anxiety, it can permeate every part of your life. You may think that’s normal for everybody, but it’s not. Life with anxiety is living in a perpetual state of overwhelm and “what ifs,” and it does not have to be that way. In session, we will work together to challenge irrational thoughts and learn to calm your spirit.
Codependency
When you struggle with being codependent, your belief systems center around gaining your self worth from what you do for others, which yields external affirmation. Who you are is based on what you do, so what happens when you don’t do? As Christians, we are often taught to put others above ourselves, but I believe Jesus set boundaries around that when He walked the earth. You can only give to others what you give to yourself and you can’t give from an empty cup. We will learn how to love others as yourself and as God loves you.
Personal Development
Together in session we will work to explore the choices that you have in each life circumstance, and discover ways to grow and become your authentic self, with God’s help. We will integrate every aspect of your being – physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual – as we seek to find practical ways to enjoy a more fulfilling life.
Relationship Issues
We are relational beings by nature, but often we learned how to connect and communicate with others in very unhealthy ways. Clearly expressing our needs and wants and setting and enforcing boundaries are keys to having healthy interactions. We will work together to identify and correct faulty patterns so that you will experience less conflict and more joy in your relationships.
Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.
Availability (by office location):
- Silverdale – Tuesday and Thursday
- Online (WA Only) – Wednesday
Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment the full fee per session is required at the time of service.
Insurance: As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), some insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals and couples.
Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction will be added for credit card payments.
Focus Areas
Testimonials
Tonia Adams at Silverdale Christian Counseling is simply a wonderful and delightful person. Tonia has a contagiously joyful love of life and that attitude has been on display in many ways as I’ve witnessed her interactions serving and caring for people. Tonia is a skilled, intellectual communicator who also has a unique gift to empathetically understand other’s feelings and listen with authentic and sincere care. Where I’ve not personally witnessed this in her professional life since I’m not a client, it’s always on display in her life outside of her career which tells me, anyone looking for phenomenal support should look no further.
Tonia N. Adams
Google Review
You will love Tonia Adams!! She will help you understand your grief or whatever is causing your soul to ache. Her compassion and big heart will guide you and give you strength to move forward with a purpose and the will to overcome. She will be the best life coach on your sideline. Alan
Alan Morris
Google Review
Tonia is a great counselor that has a calm and sweet demeanor that surrounds you as you meet with her. One of her best qualities is her ability to listen intently, and then to follow up with valuable questions.
Sonja Hyde
Google Review
Kind. Understanding. Caring. Easy going and easy to talk to. Very helpful with many issues. She has no judgement and is compassionate. She genuinely cares for how you feel and finds the things that help you get to a better place in life
Vicky Hendrix
Google Review
“Tonia is wonderful. She is genuine, caring and very easy to talk to!
Highly recommend her.”Amanda Rosa
Google Review
Mrs. Tonia Adams is a very kind and friendly person, her outlook on life is amazing plus she has the best smile.
Sonia scott
Google Review
Tonia is a warm, caring, and enthusiastic counselor. She cares deeply for those she walks alongside!
Jodi Greanead
Google Review
Tonia is truly someone you can feel safe with and trust her completely. No judgments, just sincere guidance, a great listening ability and has the best Three Bosses ever in Almighty God, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit!
Kathy Ashley
Google Review
Tonia is a kind caring and compassionate person. She listens and helps her clients find reasonable options and solutions.
Melinda OQuinn
Google Review
Tonia has a caring heart, full of compassion. I was fortunate to meet her by chance 5 years ago during a difficult time, and her friendship and advice helped to steady me and set healthy boundaries. I’ll always value her friendship.
Laura Colburn
Google Review
Tonia is a wonderful, great, amazing human being all the way around! Would recommend her as a friend/therapist to anyone and everyone!
S
Google Review
Tonia Adams is an insightful person who has a gift of compassion and empathy for others. I have known her for over twenty years and am always amazed by how she can walk me through a tough situation and lead me to the best decision I can make. She has a quiet disposition which makes it easier to talk to her about anything. I would recommend Tonia to anyone looking for a counselor.
Cheri Downen
Google Review
Tonia has always been thoughtful and genuine. She goes above and beyond what I would imagine. I have always felt uplifted and inspired by her words and presence! Thanks for being there for me and my family!
Talitha Dyk
Google Review
Tonia Adams is very easy to have a confidential conversation with. I would highly recommend her to friends!! she is kind and trust worthy ~ plus, she is God-spirited and has a dog.
Patricia VanWeerthuizen
Google Review