Our Team
We provide individual therapy, couples counseling and family therapy, as well as psychological assessment and evaluations.
We look forward to supporting you in your journey to health and wellness. It’s what we do and the heart of why we’re here.
If you have questions or would like to begin working with us, contact us. We would be happy to talk with you.
Lily He, MSW Intern
Master's Clinical Social Work Intern
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BIPOC
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Immigrant Experience & Multicultural Identity
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Anxiety & Depression
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Trauma
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Life Transitions
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Coping Strategies
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I believe that everyone deserves the support they need to feel heard and seen in achieving their goals. You may not exactly know what you want out of therapy yet, and that’s okay. I am here to explore it with you. I use client-centered and strength-based approaches in our work together. I
hope that we will embark on a journey as collaborators, navigating whatever you have in mind.
My personal journey as an immigrant has shaped the anti-oppressive and trauma-informed approaches that I use in our work together. Grounded in Relational-Cultural Theory, I also incorporate elements of CBT and Motivational Interviewing. I am committed to fostering a safe
and non-judgmental space for you to explore relationships, challenges, and goals in your life.
I have experience working with adults from diverse backgrounds, providing behavioral health services in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology and am currently pursuing my Master of Social Work at the University of Washington. I am a second-year Clinical Social Work student practicing under the supervision of Kat Chen, LICSW.
Jonathan Mills, LMHCA
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
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Anxiety & Depression
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Performance Psychology & Athletic Identity
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Mindfulness
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Perfectionism
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Life Transitions
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Self-Esteem & Self-Care
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I am passionate about helping others reach their full potential! I offer individual therapy
services at Seattle Counseling and Wellness, using a person-centered approach that
honors each client's unique experiences and identities. My goal in therapy is to
collaborate with clients to build skills and foster personal growth. Before joining SCAW, I
administered neuropsychological assessments for intellectual and neurodevelopmental
disorders at a community mental health center. I also have extensive experience
providing exposure therapy for children with anxiety disorders.
I am currently pursuing my PhD in Clinical Psychology at Seattle Pacific University,
researching athletic identity and providing mindfulness workshops for student-athletes. I
am also part of a research team investigating personality and character strengths in the
context of anxiety and depressive disorders, facilitating group therapy for adults using
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). I look forward to deepening my expertise in CBT
and expanding my practice with other evidence-based therapies, including acceptance
and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
Before starting my doctoral training, I earned my master’s degree in Sport and
Performance Psychology from the University of Denver and my bachelor’s degree in
Business Administration from the University of Oregon. I worked on the business side of
professional sports before making a career change and am still an avid sports fan! A
proud Oregonian, I lived all over the country before returning to the Pacific Northwest for
this chapter of my journey. I love dog-sitting, going to the movies, and playing basketball
in my free time.
JY Qi, LMHCA
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
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Mood disorders
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Interpersonal Relationships & Peer Pressure
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Life transitions & Burnout
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Anxiety & Stress Management
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Trauma, Complex Trauma, & PTSD
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Distress Tolerance & Emotional Regulation
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Acculturation and Multicultural identity
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I love working with adolescents and adults of all ages! My approach blends a warm, person-centered philosophy with evidence-based interventions like CBT, ACT, and Mindfulness to help clients reach their goals. I am available to provide therapy services in English and Mandarin.
To me, being a therapist is much like being part of an athlete’s support team. Life can be overwhelming and isolating, which is why we need someone to strategize, exercise, and practice together. Most importantly, we need someone we feel safe talking to. In moments of navigating distress and celebrating triumphs, I want my clients to know there is someone in their booth, rooting for their success and well-being.
I hold master’s degrees in Counseling Mental Health Services and Professional Counseling from the University of Pennsylvania, following a Bachelor’s in Psychological Sciences from Purdue University. Having lived in both Western and Eastern cultures, and researched systemic and implicit bias, I value open-mindedness and embrace ‘imperfectism’. With a background in community mental health centers, public schools, and a Neurodivergent Children’s Institute, I’m committed to promoting an environment of inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. This experience informs my approach to diagnosis and treatment, especially for diverse clientele with marginalized identities.
Marie Park, LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
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EMDR, Trauma & PTSD
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Depression
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Grief & Loss
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Life Transitions
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Relationship Issues
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Self-Esteem
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Anxiety & Stress
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I provide individual therapy to adults of all backgrounds and identities. My clinical practice is rooted in the belief that each person has the inherent capacity to heal and grow. To support this process, I cultivate a safe and non-judgmental space where clients can build coping skills, gain insight into limiting beliefs, behaviors, and relational patterns, and/or process painful past experiences to achieve wellness and stability. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally affirming. I consider it a privilege to walk alongside individuals in their journey and will hold your unique story with care.
I earned my Master of Social Work degree from Boston College and Bachelor of Arts degree from Wellesley College. I have almost a decade of clinical experience working in a variety of settings including community mental health centers, hospitals, and homeless shelters. I have extensive experience supporting and empowering marginalized groups including women, BIPOC, and survivors of trauma. I tailor treatment to meet each client’s needs and goals, drawing upon a variety of evidenced-based practices including mindfulness, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Amber Wodzinski, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
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Depression
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Anxiety & Stress
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Relationship & Family concerns
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Communication
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Life transitions
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Self-esteem & Self-exploration
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History of self-harm, suicidal ideation
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Impacted by addiction or incarceration
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Trauma and loss
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As a fellow human and counselor, I approach people with an open, genuine, and transparent posture, which hopefully helps others feel welcome to be themselves. My clients have described me as warm, gentle, inviting, and relatable. Whether you are new to counseling, are looking for support again, or previously had a difficult experience, we will go at a pace you feel comfortable.
I work with adults, adolescents, and their families—individually and as parts of a whole. I welcome individuals and families of all backgrounds and identities. As someone who aligns with narrative therapy, I understand that everyone’s unique experiences may have influenced how they interact with the world, and my hope is that together—we can help you create and support preferred ways of living. Additional therapy modalities I’ve received training in and utilized with clients are Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
I earned a Master of Science with specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Family & Marriage Counseling from South Dakota State University. Over the past five years, I’ve worked in both mental health and addiction settings— from outpatient weekly care to inpatient daily care. Throughout my experience as a counselor, I’ve come to love collaborating with my client’s system of providers and partners to ensure well-rounded care as we support you.
In my free time I love to get outside, hike, backpack, take photos, go to concerts & get way too excited about sports.
Ken Safley, LMHCA
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
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Emotion regulation & Distress tolerance
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Phobias
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Life transitions
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Trauma, complex trauma, and PTSD
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Depression/Anxiety
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OCD
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Burnout
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Everyone experiences difficulty and pain, and for many of us these stressors also prevent us from leading our most fulfilling lives. Oftentimes we may not even know why we feel or act a certain way, only that there must be a better option. I work with those 18+ who are trying to overcome these challenges to live effective and fulfilled lives, whatever their circumstance. I approach therapy primarily from a Humanistic orientation, so I believe that what people do and how they react to their world makes sense from their perspective. As a therapist I strive first to understand that perspective so that we can work collaboratively towards accomplishing your goals.
My experiences with clinical research have led me to appreciate and use evidence-based practices (EBPs) in my therapy. Some of the EBPs which inform my treatment plans are acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and prolonged exposure (PE). I hold a master’s degree in Psychological Science and am working towards a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Seattle Pacific University. I currently practice under the supervision of Dr. Heather O’Brien.
I have lived in Seattle since 2011 with my wife and two dogs. I am a military veteran and have a passion for working with veterans who have transitioned back to civilian life. I enjoy most outdoor sports and am constantly awed by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Katie Hellerud, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
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Emotion management/regulation/tolerance skills
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Relationships/friendships/social skills
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Mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorders
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Anxiety disorders
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Intersectionality acknowledgement, and related issues
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Complex and/or developmental trauma
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Neurodivergence
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Mindfulness; self-compassion/-acceptance
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Spirituality/existential concerns
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​Chronic Illness/ Chronic Pain
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I work with youth, their caregivers, and adults individually (or with the system surrounding the youth). I would describe my style as: nonjudgmental, radically genuine, social justice-oriented, collaborative, and trauma-informed. I have found these factors to be important in being able to provide a platform for sharing and learning about oneself, accepting oneself, and understanding the changes one wishes to implement.
I have extensive training in providing dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), a therapy that emphasizes learning and practice of skills, ultimately aimed at assisting individuals in pursuing and creating a “life worth living.” All this to say, you wouldn’t need to know what that looks like for you, some people are not sure. If you are willing to bring in your concerns, I am all ears and here to assist and guide in changes you might want to make to create that vision for yourself. In addition to identifying and attending to bigger picture life worth living goals, I may recommend tracking of skills practice between sessions, and reporting of your observations, in order to process and scaffold one’s “effectiveness” in implementing them in one’s daily life. The rationale of this is to support and empower you to feel more regulated, present, and resilient in the pursuit of the life you envision.
I earned my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Washington. My Master’s degree is specialized in child/adolescent applied psychology. I completed multiple DBT trainings and provided high fidelity services through Seattle Children’s Hospital, the University of Washington, and Harborview Medical Center. In addition to DBT, I have training in cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and acceptance and commitment therapy. I have a multidisciplinary background with career experiences in: conducting clinical research, and providing inpatient psychiatric care, school-based services, and community mental health services, in King and Snohomish counties.
I am a native Washingtonian and proud Husky alumnus. I enjoy our great outdoors by climbing, backpacking, and going on a lot of walks with my dog. I also enjoy cooking (my favorite is pasta), dancing to any beat I hear, and traveling or at least watching travel shows and dreaming of my next trip.
John Ferraro, LMHCA
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Grief and Loss
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Self-concept
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Perfectionism and felt expectations
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Everyone has a story to tell, as long as you are curious enough to listen. It is important to me to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where people feel empowered to tell their stories, to be vulnerable from a place of strength, and supported to move in different directions. Telling our stories helps us to reflect on where we have been as well as where we would like to go. I believe that building a positive therapeutic relationship is built on curiosity, trust, and collaboration. I look forward to working with clients to identify their goals, strengths, and ways to build meaningful and sustainable change.
I believe it is necessary to acknowledge the individual experience as well as the connected interpersonal, cultural, and political systems that affect us and shape our lived experiences. I work from a Humanistic theoretical approach that emphasizes the importance of individual choice and autonomy. I also incorporate Feminist, Multicultural, and Narrative therapy in order to acknowledge the ways our worlds are interconnected and affected by systems outside of ourselves. I believe in examining the complex ways we view our inner selves and the spaces we share with others in order to connect more fully with personal values and build a positive sense of self.
Originally from New York, I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from the State University of New York at Geneseo and my Master of Counseling degree from City University of Seattle. I lived in South Korea and taught English to kindergarten and grade school children before moving to Seattle where I taught English to adult international students. I have worked for several years as a tradesman and have also volunteered with indigenous populations and other underserved and marginalized communities. I value these diverse and eclectic experiences as they’ve helped me to appreciate different perspectives, challenge established narratives, and make space for new ways to learn and build different relationships with people. I am practicing under the supervision of licensed social worker, Alison Prevost.
Muzi Chen, LMHCA
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
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Anxiety/Depression
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Multicultural issues
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Relationship issues
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Life transitions
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Social stress
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Trauma
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Grief and loss
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I work with children, adolescents, and adults. I am here to support you and invite you to this comfortable and safe space where you are free to explore yourself without judgment.
The foundation of my client-centered approach is founded on the idea that you are the expert on your own life, experiences, and emotions. In our sessions, I provide a compassionate and empathetic environment where you can feel safe and understood. We work collaboratively, focusing on your unique needs, goals, and values. I also incorporate techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Existential Therapy. Together, we will explore your beliefs and values, examine the effectiveness of established coping strategies, and transfer the learned skills to facilitate decision-making and create new life meanings.
I earned my Master's degrees in Counseling Mental Health Services and Professional Counseling at the University of Pennsylvania and acquired my Bachelor's degree in Clinical Psychology at UC San Diego. I have worked in community health and non-profit organization settings, providing in-person and virtual services to people of diverse backgrounds and ages.
More personally, my cross-cultural experiences and identity as an Asian have led me to incorporate the multicultural lens into my counseling practice. I enjoy learning about different cultures through languages. I am bilingual (Mandarin and English) and interested in leveling my language skills in Korean and Japanese.
Y. Jamie Zhou, LMHCA
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
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Trauma and PTSD
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LGBTQIA2S+
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Grief and loss
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Interpersonal Relationships
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Multicultural identity/Acculturation/Cross-cultural experience
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Life transitions
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Anxiety/Depression
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Emotion regulation/Coping strategies
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I graduated from the Graduate School of Education of the University of Pennsylvania with a master’s in counseling and mental health services (M.S.Ed.) and a master’s in professional counseling (M.Phil.Ed.). I have experience working with adults with diverse backgrounds, providing bilingual services (i.e., Mandarin and English), addressing a wide range of client problems, and managing different platforms for conducting therapy.
With a strenuous undergraduate psychological research background from Claremont Mckenna College, I believe in evidence-based interventions and research-guided theoretical orientations. My primary school of practice is Schema Therapy, with integrative perspectives from the Internal Family System, Humanistic, Cognitive Behavioral, and Feminist Therapy. My specialties and clinical interests lie in trauma, cross-cultural adjustment, sexuality, grief, interpersonal relationships, etc.
As a cisgender lesbian growing up in an Asian society, my experience led me to explore psychopathology and mental well-being layered by sociocultural factors, strengthening my approaches to therapy through an interdisciplinary and multicultural lens. Therapy, to me, is an opportunity to be seen and heard freely and loudly. There is a great triumph in finding new meanings in the past, present, and future, and my job as the therapist is to make that process less scary and more collaborative.
Kat Chen, LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
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BIPOC/immigrant/refugees
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Life Transitions
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ADHD
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School stress/career development
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Social Anxiety
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Depression/Anxiety
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LGBTQIA+ Affirming
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Trauma
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I work with individuals aged 16 and up, and I am committed to creating a collaborative and empowering therapeutic relationship. I believe that working together means uncovering your strengths, confronting challenges, and developing strategies that enhance your well-being and quality of life. Taking the first step towards healing is an act of courage, and I recognize that seeking therapy can be a significant step, especially for those whose backgrounds and experiences are underrepresented.
As a social worker/therapist, I understand that your identity, background, and cultural experiences play a vital role in shaping your mental and emotional well-being. My practice is grounded in cultural sensitivity, with a humanistic and relational perspective. Whether you're struggling with the pressures of acculturation, the weight of past traumas, or the challenges of adapting to a new environment, I offer a tailored approach to help you navigate in the face of change.
I identify as a neurodivergent, Asian female social worker/therapist and I have a rich background in community health, and serving marginalized populations. I have had the privilege of working with a diverse range of individuals, each carrying their own stories and challenges. I graduated from Seattle University with my Masters in Clinical Social Work and got my B.A in English Literature from UW, and have a background working with King County, medical clinics, hospitals, foster care, schools, and community health centers.
My therapeutic approach draws from a range of evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Acceptance-Based Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, and Mindfulness practices. I believe in providing psychoeducation and skills to help empower you to have the tools you need to create the life you want. These techniques empower us to address your unique needs and goals, fostering sustainable change and personal growth.
Kelly Thoma, LSWAIC
Licensed Social Worker Associate Independent Clinical
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Complex trauma and somatic symptoms
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Relationship issues
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Life transitions
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I work with people in an authentic and collaborative way, where we first build a safe environment so that you can feel open to exploring what you want to talk about at your own pace. I believe in relationally focused therapy, using the relationship between us to look into patterns, difficulties, wants, and goals in life. I believe therapy can help us find meaning, connection, and alignment with our own values. Whether it be your upbringing, life transitions, relationships, or understanding your feelings better, therapy can help you navigate these topics and live in a way that feels more integrated.
I work with adolescents and adults. I incorporate various frameworks, including psychodynamic, existential, and attachment theory. I also utilize tools from CBT, DBT, and ACT. I think that the mind-body connection is an essential part of work in therapy. I earned my Bachelor's degree from the University of Washington and my Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver. Previously, I worked in hospital outpatient settings in Psychiatry, working with a broad range of diagnoses, and in Neurology, working with complex trauma, dissociative symptoms, and functional neurological disorders.
Quincy Dillard, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
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LGBTQ+
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Identity Development and Exploration
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Social Connection and Relational Concerns
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Self-Esteem and Self-Criticism
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I utilize Relational-Cultural, Interpersonal Process, and Person-Centered orientations to provide my clients with a therapeutic environment that emphasizes empowerment, which necessitates recognizing and deconstructing what forces seek to disempower. I take a systems-aware approach to understanding how norms, narratives, and expectations impact our understanding of ourselves and others. My approach is informed by personal values of transparency, authenticity, and genuineness.
My postgraduate work has focused on providing services to the LGBTQ+ community, particularly fellow trans and gender-diverse folks, including individual and group therapy services, as well as program development to enhance mental health and medical service provision. As a transmasculine genderfluid person, it’s important to me that my practice deemphasizes gatekeeping and supports clients in being the experts in their own experiences. I have written many referral letters in support of clients accessing gender-affirming health care and make sure to do so in a way that centers the needs of the client first and foremost.
I hold a Masters's in Counseling Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor’s from Guilford College.
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Q's dog Max, a 10lb, terrier mix rescue, is also in attendance for all appointments, whether asleep in Q's lap out of view of the camera or snuggled under a blanket in person. Max is a quiet, careful boy and a very loved constant companion.
Alyce Davie, LMFTA
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
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Couples & Families
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Life Transitions
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Identity Development
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Anxiety
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Depression
As a relational therapist, I work with couples, families, and individuals, exploring current and past relationships, as well as our larger connection to community, culture and society. Together, we examine how these different parts of our system impact us and each other. I see therapy as a collaborative space where we can deepen our understanding of our experiences and move toward change and healing.
I completed my Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Pacific Lutheran University and my Bachelor’s degree in Art Education at Western Washington University. My approach is client-centered and incorporates Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Narrative Therapy depending on the client’s specific needs and goals. I provide identity-affirming care and believe our histories and lived experiences inform our work together. I also draw from my background as an artist and educator to support an adaptable and creative therapy environment.
Stephanie Neilson, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
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Anxiety
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Trauma and somatic symptoms
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Depression
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Grief and loss
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Relationships and intimacy
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Self-esteem and self-care
I see therapy as healing through understanding. Understanding of your hopes and how to bolster and nourish them, your sufferings and how to be with or relieve them. I strive to listen holistically and to provide a nonjudgmental space in which the layers of your identity and life contexts are invited and can be safely explored.
I believe that psychotherapy is relevant during times of grave distress as well as when you are feeling stable. The parameters of our work together will be defined by your priorities and needs. Mindfulness and cognitive work may be advised for symptom management, optimization of personal growth, or as supplementary to the foundational changes that can be made in longer-term psychotherapy. When working towards more foundational change, I often find it helpful to explore impressions and patterns based in early life experiences.
I hold a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The College of New Jersey and a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Alfred University. My postgraduate consultation and coursework have been focused on psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theory and practice, mindfulness techniques, acceptance and commitment therapy, and existential psychotherapy. I am also influenced by yoga and meditation.
Devon Spencer, LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Co- Director of Community Partnerships
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Relationship issues
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Trauma and PTSD
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OCD
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LGBTQ+ and gender identity
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I work with children, adolescents, and adults. It is my belief that therapy is a collaborative, vulnerable, and sometimes uncomfortable process that requires a genuine connection and compassion. When it is appropriate, I like to bring levity, humor, and creative, evidence-based interventions to the therapeutic space. It is my goal to work alongside my clients to better understand their challenges, needs, and areas for growth. I work from a strengths-based perspective and anti-oppression lens, believing that clients are the experts in their own lives and that everyone has inherent strengths regardless of maladaptive behaviors they have developed. I draw from various clinical modalities, including trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and play therapy.
I completed my masters degree at the University of Washington School of Social Work. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in a variety of settings, including in the client’s home, at a residential facility for homeless youth, and in both intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs. I am a cisgender, queer woman and am passionate about working with the LGBTQ+ community.
In addition to providing talk therapy, I am a community educator with a background in sexual health and creating LGBTQ+ affirming spaces for youth.
Naoko Nakano Brown, PhD, LMHC, NCC
Employee Experience Director Licensed Mental Health Counselor,
Clinical Supervisor
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Relationship issues
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Loneliness
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Multicultural issues
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I believe that all of us essentially know what is good for ourselves. Yet, we are not always aware of it. In our sessions, we will meet together and work collaboratively to better understand your feelings and experiences by exploring the meaning(s) of your present and past experiences. For an example, why you feel and behave the way(s) you do. Increasing your awareness and understanding of your experiences would help you to gain alternative perspectives that would help you to no longer feel stuck and/or afraid. I will make observations, interpretations, and recommendations that assist you to gain a sense of congruence.
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I received Master’s degree in Existential-Phenomenological Psychology from Seattle University in 2003 and PhD in Clinical Psychology from Saybrook University in 2018. My training background includes Humanistic psychology, Person-Centered Approach, Psychodynamic Oriented Psychotherapy, Experiential Psychotherapy and Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy.My approach reflects all my training. I work with individuals and couples with a diversity of issues and backgrounds.
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I am a certified Focusing Professional/Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapist. Focusing is a process that helps you to gain the deepest awareness. Focusing process guides you to understand your experience through bodily felt sense. Studies have shown, the clients who are able to access inner felt experience have a greater success rate in psychotherapy. For further information about Focusing, please visit Focusing Institute website.
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A Levine-Ward, PsyD, LMHC
Clinical Director, Licensed Mental Health Counselor,
Co-Director of Community Partnerships
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LGBTQ+
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Trauma and PTSD
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Sex and Variant sexuality
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Substance Use
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Developing coping skills for life's stressors
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Religious Deconstruction and Religious Trauma
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I believe that therapy begins with safety, connection, and communication, maintained by
a respectful and nonjudgmental relationship. When we work together in session, I will
be collaborative, flexible, and open. My therapeutic method is one that utilizes
empowerment and coping skills to help you remain present and authentic in all that you
do.
I approach my work with an integrative lens; utilizing narrative, feminist, social justice,
evidenced-based and trauma-informed approaches. I specialize in the areas of sexual
orientation, gender transition, BDSM/ Kink, alternative relationship constellations, sex
work, trauma, microaggressive trauma, death and dying, substance abuse, disordered
eating and body positivity.
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I received my Doctorate in clinical psychology from Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA in
2017, and have been working in the mental health field for 10 years. I completed my
pre-doctoral internship at the UCSF/ ZSFG Trauma Recovery Center in the
psychosocial medicine training program. There, I worked with survivors of religion and
gender-based persecution, gun violence, and sexual assault survivors living in San
Francisco.
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In addition to providing talk therapy, I am a community educator, and lecturer and have
expertise in consulting with organizations to create or improve LGBTQ+-affirming services.
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Alexander Shappie, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Psychological Testing, Clinicial Supervisor
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Attention deficit (ADHD) evaluations
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Intellectual functioning (IQ) assessment
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Personality assessment
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Testing for Diagnostic clarification
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School admissions testing
I provide psychological evaluation services at Seattle Counseling and Wellness. I have experience providing evaluation services across a wide range of settings and populations. I hope that evaluations will provide useful insights into your psychological health that can inform treatment recommendations, and potential accommodations, and bring about an improved sense of wellness. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you are interested in an evaluation for a specific diagnosis or for a general exploration of how you’re functioning.
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I view each client as the “expert” of their own experience. I emphasize the collaborative and relational elements of therapy, seeking to provide a space in which clients can see themselves more clearly so that they may better navigate the obstacles they face. I operate from a liberation psychology perspective, oftentimes viewing the development of mental health symptoms as being directly related to interpersonal experiences, socialization, or systemic oppression, as opposed to static individual traits or personality deficits. I specialize in treating trauma and attachment wounds. I frequently integrate EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and somatic techniques into my work with clients. I have extensive experience working with clients on topics related to sexuality and gender expression, especially amongst the Queer community.
I received my doctoral degree from the Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology, and completed my predoctoral and postdoctoral residencies at the University of Washington. I decided that I wanted to be a Clinical Psychologist when I was 14 years old, after witnessing firsthand the impact that limited access to education and healthcare had on folks in my rural community, especially amongst Queer youth. I’m a first-generation college student and I was the first member of my family to receive an advanced degree.
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Jacquelyn Swaoger, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
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Interpersonal relationships
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Grief and Loss
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Anxiety/Depression
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Childhood trauma
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Substance abuse assessments and support
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Life transitions
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I believe that conflict, trauma, and ineffective ways of functioning result from negative relational experiences and that they can also be healed through positive ones. This is why I place great care and attention into fostering a deep connection with each client that rests on empathy, respect, and authenticity. Therapy can be a rewarding endeavor that allows an individual to overcome obstacles, deepen their understanding of themselves and their world, and achieve desired goals. In our time together, we will work collaboratively to uncover the root causes of conflict, utilize your strengths, and bring about lasting change.
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I work from a psychodynamic lens that examines how past relational experiences and events influence an individual’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in the here and now. I also incorporate evidenced based practices, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness, that help to bring symptom relief and positive growth. Issues such as anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, life transitions, sexuality, personality conflicts, cultural issues, spirituality and/or identity matters can be addressed within our sessions together. I focus on the whole person and approach therapy as a holistic means to increase wellbeing in all areas of one’s life.
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Aimee McFarlane, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Clinicial Supervisor
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Chronic stress
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Anxiety and depression
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Professional and academic burnout
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Coping skills
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Boundaries and relationship issues
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Perfectionism
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Life transitions
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Identity development
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Micro/Macroaggressios
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Therapy is a space to process and move through life’s burdens. The pressures of daily life are increasing for many of us. Work, school, and caregiving are demanding and oftentimes overwhelming. In addition, we have all been affected by a global pandemic, climate change, and social unrest. It’s easy to adopt a negative view of ourselves or the world. Perfectionism, imposter syndrome, burnout, low motivation, and procrastination are the results of ineffective coping with chronic stress. We can free ourselves from internalized negative stories by building insight into how we relate to the world. When we understand and accept ourselves, we are able to make lasting changes in our emotions and behaviors.
My approach to therapy is both compassionate and practical. I integrate therapeutic techniques from CBT, DBT, humanistic therapy, body-based therapy, mindfulness, and art therapy. I help people address their present concerns and understand their past. Our work together will be affirming, nonjudgmental, compassionate, and transparent.
I work with adults who are experiencing issues related to chronic stress, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, burnout, anxiety, depression, micro/macroaggressions, relationship issues, coping skills, creativity, and other concerns. BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals are intentionally welcomed to my practice. Additionally, I have experience working with people who participate in kink, consensual nonmonogamy, and alternative lifestyles. I respect that your identity plays a significant role in therapy and will respect that in all of our work.
I am femme, cisgender, mixed race, Asian American, and heterosexual. I graduated from Antioch University Seattle with a master’s degree in counseling and art therapy.
Alison Prevost, LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Clinicial Supervisor
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ADHD
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Bipolar disorder
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Emotion regulation
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Trauma
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Life Transitions
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Mindfulness
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Spirituality
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Finding balance, creating meaning, and taking authorship of our life stories are the guiding principles of my approach therapy. Whatever external and internal pressures we face, I am a strong believer in each person’s capacity to adapt, grow, and find purpose. With an optimistic and collaborative approach, I seek to provide a compassionate, nonjudgmental space for people to explore values, identify and change unhelpful patterns, and practice being more of who they want to be in the world.
I enjoy working with people from all walks of life and with diverse backgrounds to address issues of depression, anxiety/stress, ADHD, trauma, relationship struggles, and adjustment to life changes. I have particular interest in late teen/young adult development, trauma recovery and growth, and supporting those who work in other “helping” professions (healthcare, childcare, education, etc). I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to share in each person’s journey, providing encouragement, asking questions, and helping them identify and connect with what adds value/meaning to their lives.
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I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2011 after attaining undergraduate (BA, Furman University) and graduate (MTS, Boston University) degrees in religion and social ethics. My clinical approach is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, utilizing tools from other frameworks, such as Compassion-Focused Therapy, DBT, and Internal Family Systems, to best support each person’s journey. I strive to honor each person’s unique context, acknowledging the complicated historical, familial, cultural, and social factors that contribute to the challenges they face.
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Karen M. Sanders, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Clinicial Supervisor
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Depression
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Anxiety, including OCD, panic, work and school stress
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Identity issues including LGBTQ+, ethnic and cultural, neurological differences
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Creating meaning and living authentically
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Life transitions
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When we understand our past and present selves, and begin to experience the full complex richness of our lives, we are freed to grow and change naturally. As your therapist, I will help you through this process with openness, curiosity, and respect for your individual experience.
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I approach psychotherapy with a relational and humanistic perspective, using the connection and working relationship between client and therapist to facilitate healing. Depending on your needs, we can utilize a variety of treatment modes including emotion-focused, mindfulness and mind-body therapies. We will work together to address your concerns and to explore possible new ways of being.
I received my M.A. in Existential-Phenomenological Psychology from Seattle University in 2000.
I work with individuals, couples, and teens experiencing depression, anxiety, panic, post-traumatic stress, anger, confusion and grief as well as issues around chronic pain/illness, life transitions, LGBTQ identity, ethnic and cultural identity, neurological differences, and work and school stress. I strive to help clients embrace their experience and strengths, discover value and meaning in their lives, and find new healthy and compassionate ways to be with themselves and others.
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Angela Agelopoulos, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Owner, Clinical Supervisor
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Relationship issues/Couples counseling
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Anxiety/Depression
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Life transitions
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Perfectionism
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Mindfulness
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ADHD evaluations
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EMDR
I work therapeutically with adults to help them find more effective ways of navigating life’s challenges. Overall, my therapeutic work reflects a combination of how our past relational experiences influence current functioning, with a focus on developing more adaptive, ways of coping and being. Together, we seek to understand the “whys” of your emotional distress and effective ways of resolving those concerns.
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I earned my Psy.D. at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, an APA-accredited program, in 2008. I completed my APA-accredited internship at Northwestern University's Counseling Center in Chicago, and postdoctoral fellowship through The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, splitting my time between working in the clinical training department of the Counseling Department and working with underserved, low income youth and teens at a residential center. I've had invaluable experiences working with people from all walks of life in various settings including university counseling centers, psychiatric hospitals, homeless shelters, therapeutic day schools, and pediatrician offices. I've been in private practice since 2010, and started SCAW in 2018.
Issues I often address with people include depression, anxiety, perfectionism, overachievement, control, workaholism; singlehood/couplehood; life transitions (new job/job loss, move, engagement, divorce/breakup, etc.); personal identity, existential questions (“Who am I? Why am I here?”). I also work with couples who are wanting to develop more effective ways of relating to one another. I utilize evidenced-based practices including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness-based approaches, and dialectical behavioral focused techniques to meet the individual needs of my clients. I take a collaborative approach in my work with clients to develop a treatment plan that will position clients to achieve their therapeutic goals.
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Hanna Boleman
Adminstrative Assistant
Hanna serves as the part-time administrative assistant at Seattle Counseling and Wellness. In this role, they provide essential support to the clinic’s overall operations and assist both new and existing clients in finding appropriate therapeutic support and managing their scheduling needs.
Currently, Hanna is pursuing a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy at Antioch University in Seattle. This educational background enriches their work at the clinic, offering a unique blend of administrative efficiency and an understanding of therapeutic practices. Hanna is dedicated to fostering a supportive and welcoming environment for all clients, ensuring they receive the care and assistance they need.
Hanna has a deep-seated interest in art and crafting, employing their background in mixed media and sculpture to create funky, wearable pieces.
Kasey Gallup
Practice Manager
Kasey, the Practice Manager at SCAW, collaborates with clients to understand their requirements and assists in matching them with a suitable therapist. With her extensive administrative background and a keen interest in health and wellness, Kasey effectively manages the practice's operations.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
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