MiddlePath Counseling

Christine Phelan  MA, LMFT

Ingrid Robinson LMP, MA, LMHC (she/her)

Ingrid is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who received her Bachelors in Psychology and Women Studies from Evergreen State College and a Masters in counseling from Webster University in 2002. She has provided individual and group therapy in social service agencies, crisis clinics, and community mental health settings. Ingrid has advanced training in evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Plus (CBT+). She also specialize in Lifespan Integration Therapy, Mindfulness, and Somatics. Ingrid is a member of both the Whatcom County Perinatal Mental Health Task Force and Perinatal Support of Washington.

D. Alex Borton  MA, LMHC (he/him)


Alex has been working with teens and young adults for over 25 years. Originally an outdoor educator, he taught leadership and wilderness skills on remote expeditions. In 1998, he created a wilderness therapy program at a residential drug and alcohol treatment center. Through this experience he discovered his love for the therapeutic process and became therapist. He graduated from LIOS Bastyr University in 2008 with a MA degree in Systems Counseling/Applied Behavioral Science.
Alex specializes in adolescent and family issues. He currently practices Functional Family Therapy (FFT), an evidence based program that serves families with teenagers involved in the Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare systems. Marital issues can affect all family members, and Alex is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), an evidence based practice for couples.
His work with families in distress led Alex to seek additional training for individuals engaged in high-risk behaviors. He completed foundational training in Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in 2013 and started a private practice. See his website here.  In his spare time Alex enjoys being outdoors and raising his son, who has special needs.

Ryan Douglas, LICSW

Annie Elder  MA, LMHC


Alex Borton MA, LMHC

Lisa Kieran, LMHC

Ingrid Robinson LMP,  MA, LMHC

Ryan Douglas, LICSW (they/them)

Ryan is a licensed clinical social worker. They work primarily with young adults, and they have worked as a social worker in Bellingham since 2007. Before being in private practice they worked at a non-profit with folks who are either unhoused or at risk of becoming unhoused; they also worked in the medical and child welfare systems. Ryan enjoys working with individuals who are going through or contemplating life transitions and working through issues of identity. Ryan received their master’s degree in social work from the University of Washington in 2014. Ryan has completed trainings in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Ryan has been in practice since 2020 and joined Middle Path in 2022. Ryan enjoys spending time with their family, cooking and enjoying the nature of the Pacific Northwest.

Annie Elder  MA, LMHC  (she/her)

Annie Elder is a licensed mental health counselor serving adolescents and young adults. She received her masters in mental health counseling from LIOS graduate college of Saybrook University in 2014. She has worked with at risk youth and young adults in various settings since 2008. Annie has received extensive training in dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy, and completed the core therapist training for sexual assault survivors. She also incorporates trauma informed yoga and mindfulness practices in counseling sessions as appropriate. Annie offers empathy and support with a solution oriented focus and a hint of fun when useful. When she’s not working as a therapist Annie can be found spending time with her family, dog, cats, and goats, camping, and boating. 

Lisa Kieran, LMHC (she/her)


Lisa is a licensed mental health therapist who works with adults, kids and couples. She has worked in adventure tourism, farming and other odd jobs before landing in therapy school. Lisa graduated in 2019 from a program at Seattle University that focused both on Existentialism and Psychology. She also has training and experience working with Mindfulness. With her training, she likes to explore questions of what makes life meaningful with clients as well as helping them gain the tools and insight to work with life’s challenges. Lisa completed the foundational training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in 2023 and is honored to witness the ways that DBT can help clients who are living through chaos. As a therapist, she is regularly inspired by clients’ courage and resilience, and as a person, she enjoys adventuring outdoors, making things and spending time with family and friends.

Christine Phelan  MA, LMFT (she/her)


Christine  is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She received her M.A. in Applied Behavioral Science from LIOS Bastyr University and completed intensive training in DBT. Christine has been working in community mental health since 2000. In addition to her involvement with MiddlePath Counseling; providing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), her practice supports families and individuals in unwinding areas of distress through a verity of therapeutic modalities.  Christine offers  compassionate attention and awareness, supportive exploration; a means for experiencing life with increased possibility and choice. For more info about Christine and her private practice please visit her website.