Meet Linsy Borghese (She/Her)
A therapist who specializes in bereavement, grief, loss and one's relationship with death
Hello, I'm Linsy Borghese
I am a queer, trans-affirming, Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (MC 61527668) who offers grief and loss counseling, plus end-of life education and support. I not only received a masters in systems counseling from LIOS (Leadership Institute of Seattle) at Bastyr University; I am also trained as a death doula from the Going with Grace Program. I recently received my NEDA (National End of Life Doula Alliance) proficiency badge. This simply means that I passed the national proficiency test for death doulas.
I have a background in community mental health working with youth and their families. I spent 10 years supporting clients through grief, loss, life transitions, depression, anxiety, and trauma.
I was drawn to train as a death doula and to open my private practice as a grief and loss therapist due to a number of my own losses that I experienced over the past couple of years. I was impressed by the Going with Grace training mainly for their compassion, generosity of spirit, their zest for life and their drive to shift the culture of death care and our relationship to death.
​
I believe whole heartedly that leaning into our grief, feeling it, becoming friends with it, and even examining our relationship to our own death is the way to heal.
We are not meant to remain the same in this life. Major events will change us and our losses will be prominent in how we grow as humans.
However, we are not meant to do it alone. I think it is imperative to grieve in community- with loved ones, in support groups, or with a therapist.
More about Linsy and her philosophy
Relational
I believe that the relationship between the client and therapist is crucial to healing. It is imperative to have a trusting, supportive, and non judgmental environment.
Grief
Your grief is unique. Yes there are elements that others can relate to and understand. However how you grieve, the length of your grief, and how you feel is individual to you. In my sessions there are no pre-conceived notions or expectations about your grief. I will support you in this sacred space and provide a holding enviroment that will understand what you need for your loss.
Types of therapy
My masters is in systems counseling so I will pull in family of origin issues and patterns, family systems, attachment theory and a relational client centered approach. I will also utilize psychodrama, sociometry and group psychotherapy techniques in which I am currently receiving training.
Who I work with and who I have worked with
I work with adults ages 18-100+
​
I offer telehealth services only at this time
​
​I work with anyone who is experiencing grief, loss or would like to explore their relationship to their own death.
​
I am queer and trans affirming and have spent much of my career working with clients from the LGBTQIA+ community and I am social justice oriented.
​
I spent my middle school, high school and college years working in my parents' restaurant which catered to the nearby retirement community. I was surrounded by and provided customer service to people 60 -100+. These years taught me a lot about how precious life is and how to care for our aging loved ones.
​
I also played a key role in taking care of and completing the necessary arrangements when a number of my loved ones died. I was grateful that I could do this for them, it was an honor and it also was difficult and required a lot of self reflection, and self care. The grief was profound and I would do it again.
Other focus areas
Life Transitions
Care Taker Burn Out
Depression
Anxiety
I am very passionate about exploring one's death as a means to learning to live a more fulfilled life. If we live life from a lens of death we are more apt to find gratitude in the small things, to live out loud and to make choices that are more centered and grounded in who we are and what we actually want- we live our life in a less performative way. Plus when we live like this there is often more acceptance and peace when we arrive at our deathbed.
Who I do not work with
You deserve to have the best quality care and to work with someone who has the training and structural capacity appropriate to your needs, so you need to know that I do not treat:
-Eating disorders or addiction
-Psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, etc.)
-current suicidal ideation, re-current self-injurious behavior (cutting, burning, etc.) or who need intensive outpatient programs.
-domestic violence and/or disputes
-I do not provide court mandated treatment or assessments or provide testimony in legal cases
​
If you are having suicidal ideation call the Crisis line at 711 or another type of emergency call 911.
To find a therapist that would be a better fit search psychologytoday.com or reach out to your insurance.
Rates/Insurance
I accept Premera, Lifewise, Blue Cross, and Aetna. I can provide superbills for reimbursement from your insurance company if you are out of network.
2024 Rates: Therapy- Initial Session $170, Each 50-minute session is $150
Phone sessions over 10 minutes and letters or requested paperwork (other than billing receipts) are pro-rated based on $150/hour.
Good Faith Estimate documentation is provided to new clients who are not using insurance.
Payment: Due at the time of each session and I do not bill for sessions. I cannot continue to see you if you have a balance due.
​
Cancellation Policy: If you do not show up for your scheduled therapy appointment, and you have not notified me at least 24 hours in advance, you will be required to pay the full cost of the session. Insurance will not cover this cost.
​
"Grief does not change you. It reveals you.
And herein lies the gift that cannot die.
It changes the course of your life forever.
If you allow yourself the chance to feel it for as long as you need to-
even if it is for the rest of your life
you will be guided by it.
You will become someone it would have been impossible for you to be,
and in this way your loved one lives on, in you.
-John Green
​
​
Land Acknowledgement:
I acknowledge that my office is on the unceded, traditional land of the Coast Salish Peoples, specifically the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People, original stewards of the land, past and present. I pay monthly to Real Rent Duwamish to begin a small but important step towards reparations, honor and gratitude.
​
​
Reach out for a consultation
(Please do not include sensitive information on this form- for scheduling only)
Contact Info
Phone
206-486-6342
