John has been instrumental in helping me navigate through a very difficult time in my life. His support and compassion has been and continues to be invaluable to me!
A Thriveworks Client, verified client of John
See what other clients sayAccepted insurance & self-pay
About John
John Funk is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 37 years of doing social work. He has worked with many different groups of people, including folks experiencing homelessness, folks experiencing major mental health issues, active-duty soldiers and veteran soldiers, and folks experiencing anxiety, depression, and PTSD. In more recent years when working as a therapist, he has mostly worked with couples doing couples therapy, and primarily using attachment theory and therapy, in addition to cognitive-behavioral therapies, and a PTSD treatment called gentle reprocessing therapy. John often uses information from attachment therapy authors including John Bowlby, Sue Johnson, Robert Karen, Stan Tatkin, Daniel J. Siegel, Amir Levine, Rachel Heller. Today, he is most interested in doing couples therapy.
John believes the development of attachment therapy over the years has been very significant in helping couples work through their issues successfully. Attachment theory and therapy allow for couples to non-judgmentally look at how the dynamics of their attachment relationships as children with their primary caregiver(s) affect how they are in a relationship as adults with their now new primary attachment figures — each other. As the couples gain a greater understanding of why and how they respond to each other in times of stress, and to stress in general, they allow for much greater empathy in understanding each other's situation, and they allow themselves the opportunity to learn more effective coping strategies, and ultimately to develop their own attachment relationship, unique to them.
"I believe the client(s) are the ultimate experts regarding their situations, and they have many perspectives on how to understand and intervene when they struggle," says John. "What the therapist brings is a few more perspectives with a new understanding that often allows the client(s) to see his/her/their situation in a different light, and the therapist helps as a guide to utilizing new perspectives so as to allow for more successful interventions."

"From the beginning of my career 37 years ago to the present I have always taken a client-centered approach, always trying to focus on what is best for the client."
What clients say
These testimonials are from real clients who completed a satisfaction survey after their sessions and agreed to share their feedback. Results may vary.
It is good to be back with my therapist, the sessions help!
A Thriveworks Client, verified client of John
John has been instrumental in helping me navigate through a very difficult time in my life. His support and compassion has been and continues to be invaluable to me!
A Thriveworks Client, verified client of John
Get to know John
Why did you decide to become a counselor?
Wow, a long time ago, in my childhood, I experienced a tragedy that seemed to most affect me by helping me become aware of the fact that we humans both need each other and can significantly help each other when we are struggling emotionally with life's struggles.
What types of clients do you work with best?
Adults individually and in couples.
What’s one thing you wish all clients knew?
That most of us tend to be far too hard on ourselves.
What inspires you?
Human creativity
What can clients expect in their first session with you?
Hopefully feeling listened to, and a willingness to help them explore how to successfully address their issues.
What do you want to accomplish with an individual in their first session?
To begin to gain perspective on what the client's issues are.
What should clients know about you before scheduling a first counseling session?
I have had lots of experience.
What’s one thing about you that defines you (non-professional)?
Likes collaboration/inclusiveness
Other areas of focus
Education and training
- Years in practice
- 37 years
- Graduating institute
- University of Washington
- Graduating degree
- Master of Social Work
