About Connect Counseling
Creating inclusive spaces where every tween, teen, and parent feels valued and supported.
Meet Dr. Rachel Hughes
Dr. Rachel Hughes is a dedicated advocate for neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ youth and their families, bringing over a decade of experience in family therapy and counseling. Her compassionate approach and personalized strategies have empowered countless families to navigate the complexities of parenting with confidence and understanding.
Dr. Hughes is committed to creating inclusive spaces where every child and teen feels valued and supported. Her identity-affirming approach celebrates who your child is while helping them build the skills they need to thrive.
Credentials & Qualifications
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) in Washington State
PhD in Medical Family Therapy
Child Mental Health Specialist
Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist
AAMFT-Approved Supervisor
Therapeutic Game Master
Areas of Specialization
LGBTQ+ Affirming Care
Creating safe, validating spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and their families to explore identity and build authentic lives
Neurodiversity-Affirming
Celebrating neurodivergent minds and helping families understand and support their unique tweens and teens
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Supportive therapy for autistic teens and families focused on strengths, understanding, and growth
Family Systems Therapy
Strengthening family relationships through systemic approaches that honor each member's experience
Our Mission
To provide identity-affirming, neurodiversity-affirming care that empowers families to thrive and build lasting resilience.
A community where every child and family has access to affirming mental health support that celebrates who they are.
Our Vision
Our Therapeutic Approach
At Connect Counseling, we believe in meeting families where they are. Dr. Hughes uses a developmental, systemic, and relational framework that adapts to each family's unique needs and circumstances.
Whether working with children, teens, or entire families, the focus is always on building on strengths, honoring identities, and creating positive change that lasts.
Evidence-based therapeutic techniques
Trauma-informed care
Culturally humble practice
Collaborative goal-setting
Strength-based interventions
Beyond Therapy
Dr. Hughes created self-paced online courses to help parents understand their children better and build effective parenting strategies
Parent Education Courses
As an AAMFT-Approved Supervisor, Dr. Hughes trains the next generation of identity-affirming therapists through Divergent Minds Collective.
Clinical Internship Program
Two Locations Plus Telehealth
Sessions are available in person in Issaquah and Puyallup, as well as via telehealth for clients anywhere in Washington
Issaquah
Puyallup
The Harsh Reality of Parenting
You are facing the daunting and constantly moving goal of raising a little human in a scary and threatening world. You are on one of the most important journeys of your life with too little support and too little time. It's very clear that our systems aren't built to support you or your unique and talented child. You and your child get put into the gears of our society and the school system and the healthcare system and the governmental policies that only have a goal of grinding you down into the "perfect" shape. You're submerged in a stormy sea of messaging about how you need to fix your child, make them fit the shape that school wants, relatives want, that you think the future will want. But we lose pieces of ourselves and the magical abilities of our child when we grind away all of the eccentric, quirky, or sensitive pieces. Your parents did the best they could to parent you, but you know there's still something you want to give your child that you didn't receive; there's no guidebook.
ThrivingYour Number One Goal as a Parent
It makes sense that you're exhausted, confused, scattered considering all of these harsh realities. But let's simplify to something I know to be true for nearly every single parent. You want your child to flourish and grow and become the best version of themselves. When you get lost in the sea of societal expectations, this crystal clear goal becomes muddied. Your job is then to recenter on this principle. Every single day with every single challenge that pops up.
The good news is that you get to shield your child from some of the cruelties of the world while gently exposing them to the realities in age-appropriate ways. Before we help transition our children into adulthood, we want them to explore every facet of themselves with as little shame, fear, and insecurities as possible. Your job then becomes making the safest space possible where your child can learn about the harsh realities of the world in the safe container of the home you've built. We want all neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ kids to know their inherent worth and value and strengths before they enter adulthood.
Your Family's Partner in Empowerment
At Connect Counseling, we believe in the power of connection—not just between a therapist and a child, but within the entire family unit. Dr. Rachel Hughes has dedicated over fifteen years to helping families like yours thrive. She understands that your child's journey is not a problem to be fixed, but a unique path to be celebrated and built intentionally.
Our philosophy is simple: we offer a safe, affirming space where every individual is seen and valued for who they are. We specialize in supporting neurodivergent kids with conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD, and providing gender-affirming care for teens exploring their identity. We don't just work with your child; we work with you. We offer parent coaching and support groups to empower you with the tools and insights you need to build a stronger, more resilient family.
We also know that connecting with kids requires creativity. That's why we use therapeutic games and other engaging activities to build trust and create a fun, open environment. And because we know life can be busy, we offer both in-person and online sessions, as well as asynchronous courses through our parent education platform, so you can access support on your own terms.
You are not alone on this journey. We are here to walk alongside you, to celebrate your child's strengths, find a way through the harder challenges, and to help your family find a deeper, more meaningful connection.
With heartfelt admiration,
Dr. Rachel Hughes
Affordable Therapy
We offer low-fee counseling services with highly trained clinicians who are completing advanced clinical training under the supervision of Dr. Rachel Hughes. This option provides quality, compassionate care at a reduced rate of $35–$70 per session, making therapy more accessible while maintaining strong clinical oversight and support.
Insurance Information
Our practice is currently out-of-network practice with most insurances in Washington State. We provide monthly superbills so that you can seek reimbursement with your insurance.
Ready to Work with Dr. Hughes?
Schedule a free consultation to see if Connect Counseling is the right fit for your family
