Virtual Psychotherapy Grounded in Neuroscience
Northlight Counseling
Offers a supportive and calm space to explore emotions, relationship patterns, and the experiences that shape your sense of self. With a doctorate in neuroscience and licensure in Idaho and Washington State, I bring deep expertise and compassion to help you navigate uncertainty, overcome stuck points, and discover new paths forward.
Welcome to Northlight Counseling
Life can bring many challenges, like trauma, loss, grief, and major transitions, that can deeply impact your emotional well-being and sense of self. Offering online counseling services in both Washington and Idaho State, I integrate neuroscience with evidence-based therapy to support your emotional well-being. Together, we create a compassionate space where you can explore your emotions, learn how to regulate your responses, and reconnect with your inner strength. We will work at a pace that suits you, focusing on lasting change, resilience, and a deeper understanding of yourself as you navigate life’s complexities.
Why Choose Northlight Counseling
With a doctorate in neuroscience and a deep commitment to trauma-informed care, I offer a space where you can feel understood and supported. I approach each person with warmth and attentiveness, taking the time to truly listen and understand your unique experiences. My process-focused approach is here to guide you through challenges and create meaningful change, all at a pace that feels right for you.
I offer online counseling services to individuals across Idaho and Washington State, making support both accessible and flexible to meet your needs. Whether you are in Seattle, Boise, or anywhere else in these states, telehealth allows you to connect with me from the comfort of your home. This flexibility is intended to make it easier for you to fit therapy into your life and schedule, helping you prioritize your mental health.
My Approach
I work with…
Individuals navigating a range of emotional and psychological challenges. Many clients seek support to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of complex family dynamics, shifting identities, or persistent emotional patterns. Others come to address mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression, issues that can feel overwhelming to manage on their own.
I specialize in:
Trauma Therapy
Addressing the impact of past trauma to restore emotional well-being.
Loss and Grief Therapy
Offering a steady presence amidst the complexities of loss and grief.
Perinatal Therapy
Supporting individuals through the emotional challenges of infertility, pregnancy, and postpartum.
Your Therapy Options
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One-on-one Counseling
For individual work, I provide one-on-one counseling sessions in both 50-minute and 120-minute formats. The longer sessions offer space for more immersive, in-depth exploration, ideal for those processing complex trauma or seeking deeper emotional processing.
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Couples Counseling
For couples, I offer the same flexible session lengths to support meaningful dialogue, repair emotional ruptures, and strengthen connection. These sessions are structured to honor the needs and voices of everyone in the room, while gently guiding the process with care and expertise.
Insight Into My Process
My process includes an initial consultation to ensure a good fit, followed by an intake assessment to understand your unique experiences. We then create a personalized treatment plan, engage in ongoing therapy, and regularly reflect on your growth. The process is summarized as follows:
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A brief 15-minute phone call to explore your needs, answer your questions, and determine if we are the right fit.
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In your first full session, I take time to understand your story, emotional patterns, and therapy goals to build a clear foundation for your care.
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Together, we craft a therapeutic approach tailored to your unique experiences. This collaborative process integrates various tools and frameworks, such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic therapy, and attachment theory to support your path forward. Our work focuses on deepening self-awareness, strengthening emotional resilience, and fostering meaningful, lasting change.
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In our sessions, whether weekly or bi-weekly, we work collaboratively to process past experiences, explore ways to regulate your nervous system, and develop practical coping strategies, all at a pace that feels right for you.
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We regularly revisit your progress, adjusting therapy as needed to support your ongoing emotional well-being and personal growth.
Meet Your Therapist
I am Maria Mittag Chalfant, the therapist and founder of Northlight Counseling. I am licensed in Washington State and Idaho, with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals through life’s tender and challenging moments. I hold a PhD in neuroscience and bring a strong foundation in trauma-informed care, blending clinical expertise with deep empathy and a steady, grounded presence in every session.
Having lived in different countries and cultures, I deeply value the many ways we make sense of life. I approach each person with sensitivity to their personal history, cultural identity, and unique worldview, recognizing that the path to well-being is as individual as you are. Outside of my work as a therapist, I find joy in movement, nature, and family life. Staying connected to my body and to my loved ones is central to my own grounding practice, something I encourage and support my clients in discovering for themselves.
