Hi, I’m Michelle, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (supervised by Michelle Henderson, MHC.LH.60736785). I’m a Seattle‑area native and earned my BA in Social & Human Services from Western Washington University and my MA in Counseling from Seattle University.
I’m a mom of three adult children and have been married for 25 years. In my free time, I enjoy reading, listening to 90’s hip hop, camping, reality tv, road trips, and visiting any beach I can.
I’ve had the privilege of working with kids and teens of all ages as a behavior specialist, social worker, and currently as a school counselor. Supporting this age group is a true passion of mine, and it’s given me a deep appreciation for the challenges and strengths young people experience at every stage of development.
A fun fact about me and my family: there’s almost always one of us wearing a pair of Vans — it’s become a bit of a family trademark.
I look forward to meeting you and learning more about you!
Why Altera? It means “other” or “alter” and represents change, new possibilities, and another path forward.
License # MC70081886
Michelle Kjolso, LMHCA
Empowering Adolescents & Young Adults
I am deeply passionate about working with adolescents and young adults during what is often the most transformative time of life. You’re navigating a whirlwind of transitions—from the high-pressures of school and career to the messy, evolving world of friendships and romantic relationships.
This stage of life is a lot to carry on your own. Between the "always-on" nature of our world and the quest to define who you are apart from who the world told you to be, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and anxious. My goal is to help you find the tools to handle life’s transitions with more clarity, less overwhelm, and a real sense of self-worth.
My Approach
My approach is collaborative, person-centered, and trauma-informed, moving at your pace and focusing on your resilience, strengths, and long-term goals. Together, we’ll explore how your experiences influence your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and daily life. I help you make sense of patterns that leave you feeling stuck or overwhelmed and to understand how they show up in your mind and body. Together, we will use evidence-based strategies to help you identify triggers, build coping skills, and develop tools tailored to your needs.
Areas of Focus:
Anxiety • Peer relationships • Perfectionism & fear of failure• Depression • Identity development • Social media stress• School stress • Low self-esteem • Loneliness & disconnection• Emotion regulation • Body image concerns • Anger & irritability• Family conflict • Life transitions • Behavioral challenges• Grief & loss • Trauma & adverse experiences • Substance use• Boundaries, motivation & direction
The Power of "Enough"
Our work isn't about "fixing" you, because you aren't broken. We focus on feeling enough just as we are.
In a world that constantly asks you to be more - more productive, more social, more "perfect" - it is easy to feel like you are failing a test you never signed up for. This "hustle for worthiness" is often at the root of the burnout, anxiousness, and disconnect you might be feeling.
Moving through the "Stuck" Moments
We work to address the specific patterns that keep you feeling stalled or overwhelmed in your daily life. Some ways they may show up include:
Anxiety: That "always-on" feeling – overthinking every interaction or feeling like your nervous system can’t find the off-switch.
Depression & Disconnect: Struggling with low motivation and brain fog, or feeling like you’re just going through the motions.
Stress & Burnout: The exhaustion of perfectionism and the feeling that you're constantly falling behind no matter how hard you work.
By noticing how these patterns show up in your mind and body, we work together to reduce symptoms and build the practical coping skills you need for long-term resilience.
The Path Forward
In a safe, judgment-free space, we do more than just talk about your problems—we address the patterns that keep them in place. By connecting how you feel emotionally with how you react physically, we work together to build practical coping skills. As you strengthen your self-trust, you’ll gain the tools to navigate life’s transitions with more clarity and lasting confidence.
Email: Michelle@Alteracounseling.com
Phone: (425) 546-1419
Filling out this form is a simple way to set up your free 30-minute consultation. I look forward to meeting you and talking about how we can make positive changes together.
Based in Lynnwood, WA
Serving all of Washington
Common Questions
Do you provide sessions virtually?
Yes. At this time, I offer counseling exclusively through secure video sessions, allowing you to receive consistent, confidential support from wherever you are.
What are your office hours?
To better support my clients, I am currently offering evening and weekend hours.
Tuesday , Wednesday & Thursday: 5:30 PM– 9:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 1:00 PM– 6:00 PM
Do you accept insurance?
I don’t accept insurance but I offer self-pay with a steep sliding scale to make sessions more manageable. I can provide a superbill for possible reimbursement, and we’ll go over everything together during your first session.
How long is each session and how much does each session cost?
Each session is 50 minutes and I charge $30.00-$65.00 per session.