Kim Goerlitz
MS, LMFT
I am licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Washington State and maintain my practice on Bainbridge Island.
“Compassion for others begins with kindness to ourselves.”
— Pema Chödrön
Areas of Specialization
My Approach
Grounded in Compassion,
Growing through Connection
What is a compassion tree?
I love metaphors, including sappy ones. Compassion Tree is my metaphor for how I conceptualize wellness.
Trees exist in an interdependent ecosystem. Similarly, I am trained in what's known as systemic therapy—a perspective which recognizes that we are whole beings—biological, psychological, social, and spiritual—each part intricately connected.
Compassion, as I see it, is the essential nutrient that flows through this entire system. Here I rely not only on my personal value of compassion, but on evidence-based research that supports compassionate practices benefiting individuals, healthcare systems, and society by improving physiological health, mental well-being, patient outcomes, and healthcare quality. Strengthening compassion, particularly self-compassion, is a common factor in the theoretical modalities in which I practice.
When we cultivate self-compassion, we nourish our roots. As this compassion branches outward toward others, it strengthens our connections—much like how trees share essential elements with their ecosystem.
How my clients choose to define what compassion means to them can become an important part of their therapeutic process. One might say that collaborative definitions of compassion continue to grow the tree.
Integrating Modalities
I integrate several therapies into my practice. The following is a list of the ones I gravitate towards the most and links to additional information on each:
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)*
*In training, **Level 1 Certification
Beyond the Office
Creative expression and social narratives have always captivated me. I earned my bachelor's degree in English Literature with an emphasis in creative writing, then embarked on a winding career path that ultimately led to my master's in marriage and family therapy. This journey included work in public relations, non-profit leadership, and caregiving for individuals with various medical and neurodivergent needs. Throughout these diverse experiences, I consistently found myself most fulfilled when engaging in deep conversations that explore the complexity and richness of the human experience.
These days, one of my favorite activities is volunteering at Kids In Concert, a local non-profit that's near and dear to my heart. Once a week, I teach social-emotional regulation skills to students in this free after-school program in Poulsbo. Being part of this culture of inclusivity, where kindness takes center stage, is a gift I treasure and hope to carry throughout my life.
When not working or volunteering, I enjoy daily poetry reading, long walks with Audible books or podcasts, gardening, and traveling with family and friends. I also love participating in community activities like taking an art class and escorting open-water swimmers from my kayak. And yes, I absolutely binge-watch now and then—PNW fall and winter seasons are perfect for getting cozy by the fire with knitting needles in hand and a good series playing in the background.
