Our Team
Eden Amital, MSW, LSWAIC
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Pronouns: They/Them
Degrees/Licensure: MSW, LSWAIC
Individual identities: white, Jewish, trans, queer
Locations: Telehealth or Eastlake location (in-person)
Specializations: Attachment and differentiation: relationship to self and others. LGBTQIA, BIPOC+, neurodiversity, disability, and polyamory affirming.
Types of Therapy: Relational therapy, Mindful Self-Compassion, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care.
You might be dealing with emotional distress, suicidal ideation, self-judgment, or shame. You might simply be having a really hard time and not have words to explain what’s going on for you. Or, you might want more for yourself in your life: more connection, ease, and support.
No matter what brings you to therapy, you deserve a space where every part of you belongs: where you feel unconditionally cared for and seen. I work from a place of non-judgemental acceptance with the goal of communicating that you make sense to me. I also work to help you better understand and connect with yourself. In our work together, I’ll move towards you with curiosity, warmth, and acceptance as you feel into difficult emotions. At times we’ll play, be silly, and feel into and towards joy, excitement, and hope. Therapy can be hard work: it should also be fun!
Throughout our work, I’ll ask you to provide feedback for me so that I can take steps to repair and strengthen our relationship. When I get things wrong, I want to know so that I can make it right. I care about naming and validating the experiences my clients have with interpersonal and structural oppression: I strive to show up as pro-Black and work from a liberatory health framework.
Outside of my work as a therapist, I enjoy playing with my dogs, investing in my relationships, doing watercolor, and arranging flowers.
Kathryn Ouke, MSW, LICSW
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Pronouns: She/They
Degrees/Licensure: MSW, LICSW
Individual identities: White, Queer, Gender non-conforming person
Specializations: Trauma, Attachment, Emotion Regulation, Parenting, Anxiety, Depression, Gender and Sexuality Exploration, Adoption, Foster Care, Queer and Trans affirming therapy, Neurodiverse affirming therapy
Types of Therapy: Trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Attachment Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mind-Body Bridging
Locations: Telehealth or Eastlake Location (in-person)
Hey folks! My name is Kathryn, but I also go by Kath. I hail from Utah and am pleased to finally make it to the PNW. I have been working with teens and young adults for about eight years, and I am stoked to have the opportunity to work with you!
My approach to therapy is integrative and holistic. Session structure is flexible, with its organization reflecting the client’s preferences and needs. A client’s session could look like processing thoughts and feelings from the last week, reaching connections through discourse and feedback or utilizing an agenda in which I take a lead using activities chosen for a client’s specific goal. I am always open to alternative ways of processing, including utilization of games, mindful movement, art, music, etc. My goal is to create an environment suited for collaboration, and I believe rapport and continually fostering a working relationship with clients is crucial to their success in navigating their mental health needs and wants. I also strive to use an anti-colonial framework in my mental health practice.
I am trauma-informed in my work, meaning I prioritize safety, choice, and trust when working together with clients. A large piece of focus in trauma-informed care is also empowerment. As a therapist, I aim for clients to feel validated and affirmed each time we come in contact, as their confidence and power in themselves grows.
There is no lack of challenges and/or uncomfortable moments in therapy. While this can result in some avoidance, it is my hope that clients leave sessions knowing they continue to grow in their understanding of themselves and who they are in this world as they ready themselves to face these challenges.
When I am not at the office, I enjoy searching for horror movies that will actually keep me up at night, exploring local bookstores and coffee joints, adventuring via the occasional Dungeons and Dragons campaign, chilling with my partner and our fur baby, and mulling over existential crises with friends.
Amanda Watson, MA, LMHCA
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Pronouns: She/Her or They/Them
Degrees/Licensure: MA, LMHCA
Individual identities: White, queer, gender non-conforming woman
Specializations: Anxiety, Depression, Gender identity and transition, LGBTQ+, Trauma, Emotion regulation, Life transitions, Neurodiversity affirming therapy, and Parenting
Types of Therapy: Person-centered therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Multisystemic therapy, components of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
Locations: Telehealth or Eastlake Location (in-person)
Hello and welcome! I’m Amanda, and I moved to Washington in 2022 from Oregon with my family to pursue my dream of becoming a mental health provider. I am so glad you are here!
I have more than 7 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and their families in different settings. This includes providing help to people across varied diagnoses and from diverse cultures. I believe in a setting which is anti-racist and recognizes the complexity of ongoing race-based stress and the impact it can have on a person’s well-being.
As a clinician I have experience with cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and depression, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, building parenting skills, mindfulness skills, and providing strengths-based care for neurodivergent children, adolescents, and their families. I have also worked with clients providing gender and LGBTQ+ affirming care at different stages of their journey.
As a member of a neurodivergent family, I understand how difficult it can be to find providers who are knowledgeable and/or willing to work with neurodivergent clients in typical mental health settings, and on the things that are important to them, rather than on what society dictates. I am also a queer and gender non-conforming woman, and aim to provide a space that is affirming of all genders and sexualities. In all cases, my goal is to provide the kind of knowledgeable, validating care I wish my family and myself could have had available when we needed it most.
Initial sessions will focus on getting to know each other, learning about your values and goals, and learning what pace you would like to take in your journey. I like to foster a collaborative relationship that acknowledges the client is the expert on themselves and what works best for them, and tailoring treatment to each individual client’s needs. I love creativity and working hard to find what evidence-based interventions or approaches will fit for each client and hope to invite open communication on what is or isn’t working. I have a very fun, playful, and supportive personality and enjoy when clients share their special interests with me. It’s a joy when I can learn about something new from someone who is excited to share it.
When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family, snuggling with my pets, crafting, playing video and board games, watching movies (especially horror), playing soccer, the performing arts, playing with fidgets, or mastering a new speed cube.
Devon Little, MSW, LSWAIC
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Pronouns: she/they
Degrees/Licensure: MSW, LSWAIC
Individual identities: White/Ashkenazi, cis-woman who also identifies as nonbinary, refugee-descended/2nd generation, dancer/arts-enthusiast 🙂
Specializations: Anxiety, Depression, Communication Skills, Healthy/Healing Relationships, Leadership Skills
Types of Therapy: Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, problem-solving, mind-body connection, and when desired, the use of the expressive arts
Hello! My name is Devon. I hail from Woodinville, Washington, but have called Seattle home for almost 20 years.
I have spent the past 15 years working with and learning from youth, teenagers, and young adults from a vast range of identities and backgrounds. I know our differences are what make our community thrive, and I believe that everyone has unique gifts to share. My own time as a teenager and young adult was extremely formative - and I was very lucky that supportive teachers and a therapist were there to help me navigate the challenges. I aim to be the kind of therapist that will help you share your gifts and grow in ways that can benefit your life and community.
In our sessions, I hope to learn what concerns you, what matters to you, and what you are hoping might change or occur. In a given session, we might discuss those topics, practice new skills, and/or do some problem-solving. What’s more, I hope we enjoy ourselves; I love using activities like drawing and games to explore new skills. I will provide options, but your preferences, values, needs, and goals will lead the way.
I enjoy working with all kinds of people. I have largely collaborated with young people of marginalized communities or identities, including folks from immigrant families, neurodiverse individuals, people of color, queer and nonbinary folks, and court-involved youth. Our relationships with others are often a site of healing - but only if we feel valued for our authentic selves. My goal is to build such a relationship with you.
I believe that each of us are whole, even while we are experiencing challenges and healing. Sometimes we internalize limiting beliefs because of stigma or systems of oppression. By deepening our compassion for ourselves and others, and understanding what is and isn’t ours to be accountable for, we heal and change. This change can increase our agency in our relationships, school/workplace experiences, and overall health.
Here are a few activities I do to stay healthy and hopeful, despite the challenges: dancing, seeing plays, eating food with friends, and cuddling with my cat. Wishing you well!
Brenna Christensen, MA, LMHCA
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Pronouns: She/Her
Degrees/Licensure: MA, LMHCA
Individual identities: Queer, white, cis-woman
Specializations: Emotion Regulation, Trauma, Gender identity and Transition, Anxiety, Depression, Grief and Neurodiverse affirming Therapy
Types of Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Exposure Therapy, Multisystemic Therapy, currently receiving ongoing training in comprehensive DBT
I approach my therapeutic work with an emphasis on relationship-building, playfulness, and respect. Rooted firmly in evidenced-based treatment approaches, my clients and I then collaborate, designing goals and adapting treatment to best fit an individual's needs. Some historical examples of successful adaptations include integrating in comics, tennis, faith-values, and Star Wars meditations. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Exposure Therapy, Multisystemic Therapy and I am currently receiving ongoing training in comprehensive DBT. My goal is to create a reflective and supportive environment as well as contribute concrete skills clients can use in their day-to-day lives.
I aim to provide trauma-informed care which includes both an understanding of how trauma impacts the brain and body as well as the ongoing trauma of being in a marginalized community. I am committed to providing antiracist and anticolonial work which in my therapeutic work looks like acknowledging race-based traumatic stress, focusing on factors of resiliency, and decentering White-supremacist values. Identifying as Queer, it is important to me to provide therapy that is Queer and Trans-affirming, including support around gender identity exploration and transition work. Lastly, I attempt to challenge ableism throughout my work, and strive to provide neurodiverse affirming care.
I have experience working with clients with depression, anxiety, trauma, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and phobias. I am well known among past clients for my energy, my humor, my games and my white-board drawing skills. When I’m not at Sequoia, I’m likely swimming, surfing, or hanging out with my pet fish, Tommy.
Justine Yahnke, MSW, LSWAIC
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Pronouns: she/her
Degrees/Licensure: MSW, LSWAIC
Individual identities: Queer, white, woman identified
Specializations: Childhood trauma, gender & sexuality exploration, low self-esteem, life transitions, anxiety
Types of Therapy: DBT, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Person-centered
I am a collaborative therapist, utilizing my training in evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and blending them with a person-centered lens to find a unique approach to meet your needs. I have over a decade of supporting and advocating for people who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, women-identified folks, and folks who have experienced various types of trauma. I am dedicated to creating an environment that fosters your exploration of identity, curiosity of thoughts, feelings and patterns of behavior. Breaking old patterns, adding new skills, and seeing challenges from a new perspective can be transformative.
Our sessions can vary depending on how you like to learn and explore. We can utilize traditional talk therapy, as well as activities like drawing, music, games, and movement to find alternative ways to explore thoughts and emotions while learning new skills. We will regularly check in about what you think is working in our sessions and where we can make changes to better fit your needs.
Finding a therapist you connect with and feel validated by can make a big difference in your therapy experience. I am excited to meet you and see how I can help you in exploring areas of your life where you would like to build skills, increase self-compassion and live life true to you using behavioral therapy skills that are grounded in anti-oppression movements and queer theory.
Outside of work, I can be found hanging out with my dog, crafting, playing in my garden, or staying connected to family through online gaming.
Aleen Adams, MAT; MA, LMHCA
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Pronouns: She/Her
Degrees/Licensure: MAT; MA/LMHCA
Individual identities: White, Cis-gender woman
Specializations: Anxiety, OCD, Emotion Regulation, Caregiving School Issues
Types of Therapy: Evidence-based treatments including: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT); Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD (ERP); Supportive Parenting for Childhood Emotions (SPACE); Prolonged Exposure for Trauma (PE)
Hello! I am glad you are here. Life can feel overwhelming and hopeless when we don’t feel seen or accepted and are missing tools and support. I believe that every person is an expert in their own being and life goals, and I aim to work collaboratively with clients to identify and problem-solve what’s getting in the way of living the life they want.
I enjoy working with teens, young adults, and families, with a special focus on problems related to anxiety, OCD, emotion regulation, caregiving, and school and life transitions. I am grounded in values of diversity and inclusion, racial equity, LGBTQ+ and gender-affirming care, and I seek to understand the context of specific stressors in your life. My clinical work is informed by working with youth and families in previous careers in education and creative development – and being a single parent of a teenage daughter. Recognizing that clients often come to therapy with multiple concerns, I incorporate a variety of evidence-based therapies into my practice, including dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure and response prevention for OCD (ERP). My approach to therapy is a balance of acceptance and change, bringing warmth, compassion, and humor to the process. You can expect sessions with me to include ways to live life more mindfully, how to face fears and approach things you’ve been avoiding, and learn skills for dealing with difficult emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. I strive to create a warm, inviting space and an individual treatment plan based on your goals.
Outside of work, I enjoy being with family, walking with my dog Peach, making and seeing all kinds of art, immersing myself in a great story, cooking delicious meals, seeing live music, and, yes, recently listening to my fair share of Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridges.
James Winston, MA, LMFTA
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Pronouns: He/Him
Degrees/Licensure: MA/LMFTA
Individual identities: White, Cis-male
Specializations: Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, Negative Self-Talk
Types of Therapy: Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Hello! My name is James, I am a native of Los Angeles, but have been living in The Greater Seattle area for four years. I have spent the past year working in community mental health while achieving my Master’s in MFT.
In session, I typically take a solution-focused approach. I believe in moving forward versus backwards by helping young people envision their preferred future. I take an interest in previous achievements, academic and otherwise, and believe in uncovering the motivation and resilience required to take next steps. It’s never too early, or too late, to begin planning for the type of life one desires to live.
I also focus in on the stories, or narratives, we use to describe our experiences. The stories we create for ourselves can be problem-saturated and aligned with self-doubt. It’s time to shed that doubt, talk about ourselves with both kindness and confidence, and activate positive behaviors that will help eliminate that inner-critic.
Outside of work, I am a rock musician (drummer). I also enjoy playing basketball, watching movies, and traveling.
Ali Drake, MA, LMHCA
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Pronouns: she/her
Degrees/Licensure: MA, LMHCA
Individual identities: Queer, multi-cultural family background, ADHD human, cis-woman
Specializations: Anxiety, Depression, Childhood Trauma, ADHD and executive functioning, and autism-spectrum disorders.
Types of Therapy: Cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, humanistic-psychodynamic perspective, and motivational interviewing.
I work with a deep understanding that the working relationship between a teen and their therapist is at the center of creating progress towards mental health goals. I value my teen client’s perspectives, interests, internal and external motivators, and lived experiences. I work from a humanistic-psychodynamic framework, allowing teens I work with to understand the connection between their lived experiences, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I work with my clients and their families to develop treatment goals that allow teens to understand their individual needs, develop coping skills, and thrive in the ever-changing world around them. I tailor interventions and treatments to be individual client-focused and engaging by connecting my client’s interests, motivating factors, and sense of self and identity into the work we do together. When appropriate, I use assessment questionnaires and will consult with colleagues and my supervisor to ensure my clients are receiving the proper course of treatment and interventions that fit their needs.
In my free time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, exploring the beautiful nature we have in the PNW, catching up on the latest shows and music, reading, spending time with my doggo–Griffin, playing video games, and honing my cooking skills.
Alaina Boyle, MA, LMHC
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Waitlist full - not accepting new clients
Pronouns: she/her or they/them
Degrees/Licensure: MA, LMHC
Individual identities: White, queer, gender non-conforming woman
Specializations: Autism, Gender identity and transition, School anxiety or avoidance, Executive functioning challenges
Types of Therapy: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-based therapy, motivational interviewing
I am passionate about providing evidence-based, individually-tailored therapy to teens and young adults, especially folks who identify as gender-diverse and/or neurodiverse and have not felt understood or adequately served in past therapy experiences. With over ten years of experience working with Autistic youth in mentorship, educational, and clinical settings, I have a strong understanding of neurodiversity and a broad toolkit of approaches to apply in our work together. Additionally, with both lived experience and specialized training in working with queer and trans identities, I am dedicated to providing gender-affirming care to youth and young adults. My number one goal is for you to feel validated and seen for who you are. In our sessions, you are the expert of your own experience, and my job is to partner with you to make the changes you want to make in your life.
My approach to therapy sessions varies significantly based on each individual’s needs and preferences: some clients lead the session with the topics they want to discuss that week, while others prefer a more structured approach where I introduce an agenda and lead activities. I welcome feedback about what you want more or less of in our sessions to make our time together fulfilling and effective.
In addition to my focus on neurodiversity and gender diversity, I am comfortable working with a wide range of challenges including depression, anxiety, trauma, body image issues, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and interpersonal conflict. As one of our DBT class leaders, I am well-versed in skills-based approaches to implementing behavior change and supporting individuals in building their own life worth living.
In my free time, I enjoy outdoor adventuring, improv, and spending time with my dog Sully!
Kelsey Gordon, MSW, LSWAIC
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Not accepting new clients
Pronouns: she/her
Degrees/Licensure: MSW, LSWAIC
Individual identities: Black, Cis-Woman
Specializations: Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, Neurodevelopmental Disorders (i.e. ADHD, ASD), Gender & Sexuality Exploration, Relationships
Types of Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Collaborative Problem Solving.
Hi there - I’m Kelsey! I’m a Michigan native but have been a practicing Clinical Social Worker in the state of Washington for about 5 years now.
I have over a decade of experience working with youth and young adults from a vast range of identities and backgrounds, who’ve struggled with acute & complex traumas, depression, anxiety, neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD & ASD, personality disorders, gender/sexuality exploration, race & cultural identity exploration, self-harm/suicidal ideation, body image issues, and interpersonal conflict. My clinical skills are rooted in trauma-informed practices utilizing evidence-based principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Collaborative Problem Solving. I am especially dedicated and passionate about working with marginalized groups and BIPOC youth. As a member of the BIPOC community, ensuring a safe, supportive space & practices that are culturally competent is a priority for me.
I provide virtual therapy only so creativity and flexibility are at the forefront of my therapeutic approach. Overall, my approach is quite laid back and varies significantly based on each individual’s needs and preferences. Many of my clients prefer general talk therapy and an opportunity to process though their thoughts and feelings with guided feedback, while others prefer a more structured approach where I introduce an agenda and lead activities or assignments. I encourage my clients to continuously practice self-advocacy and actively vocalize what works well for them versus what does not work well during sessions so that I can best support them in whatever way feels most beneficial to them.
In our work together, you will learn to productively process through challenging thoughts & feelings; learn helpful coping skills; learn and practice effective communications skills; learn to identify, challenge, and reframe cognitive distortions; enhance your sense of identity & self-confidence; build resilience; and progress towards your personal goals. It is important that my clients ultimately feel like the experts of their unique experiences while working collaboratively with me to find solutions to any challenges they may be facing. It’s your world - I just live in it!
Outside of my work life, I enjoy being outdoors, doing anything physically active, traveling, spending time with family and friends, listening to music, watching sports, cooking, and cuddling my sweet but very sassy cat.
Administrative Staff
Elisabeth Walton,
Practice Manager
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Pronouns: She/Her
Degrees/Licensure: MSc, BA
Individual identities: white, queer, cis-gender woman
Hi there, I’m Elisabeth, the Practice Manager. I handle tasks such as keeping snacks stocked, connecting counselors with potential clients, setting up clients for their first day, and running our website.
A little bit about me: I grew up between the beaches of Florida and the rainy English countryside and recently made the move from London to Seattle. I studied neuroscience and psychology at NYU for my BA and recently was awarded my MSc in Psychology from the University of London. In my free time I love to visit used bookstores, knit and crochet, and go for hikes. I’m always looking for new things to read, so feel free to share your favourite book with me whenever you’re in the office!
Krys Seville, CPA
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Pronouns: They/Them
Degrees/Licensure: MPAc, CPA
Individual identities: white, queer, trans-masc/non-binary, neurodivergent, chronically ill
Work at STCC: Payroll, bookkeeping, financial reporting
Howdy! I'm Krys, the part-time bookkeeping/finance person for Sequoia. I was born in Seattle, raised in Montana, and currently reside in Vancouver, WA. I'm a queer, disabled, accountant advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the finance industry. Outside of my work at Sequoia, I own a CPA firm that focuses on providing financial services to folks in underrepresented and marginalized communities. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my spouse and our pets, playing The Sims 4, watching reality TV, and learning to play new instruments.