About Us
About Chris, MSW LICSW.
Chris works with individuals and couples/partners who want to process trauma, anxiety, relationships, and multicultural identity through a social justice lens. Chris works with adults over the age of 18.
Areas of Specialty:
Trauma
Anxiety
Relationship/Marriage
LGBTQIA+
Multicultural Issues
Areas Outside of my Specialty:
If during the course of treatment we find your needs are outside of the scope of practice, we will look at referrals to providers with the proper training to make sure your needs and goals are met.
Psychosis, OCD, ASD, Personality Disorders. Eating Disorders
Trauma robs you of the ability to trust in possibility, in creativity, in joy, and in play. Chris approaches the work of therapeutic transformation from a place of holding space for trust to return –in yourself, in hope, and in the potential for change. She does this by helping clients learn skills to help with reconnecting the parts of themselves that have been buried under shame, anger, and sadness.
This allows for someone to start to notice their mind and where it goes when it responds to trauma. By creating a small space between the sense of self and the reaction, Chris helps you reclaim choice. It opens the door to noticing in a new way.
Connecting through humanity, compassion, and healthy boundaries is integral to client care. The goal is not to drag you through therapy, but to go alongside you as you get to discover more about yourself and what healing looks like for you.
You are the expert in your own body and experience. Even if the wisdom is buried under fear and doubt, it’s there. Therapy is about uncovering the wisdom you already carry and reconnecting with creative, curious, playful, and hopeful parts of yourself.
Chris has been in the field of mental health care since 2015 and has worked with various non-profit and community organizations throughout King and Snohomish counties such as WithinReach, New Beginnings, Swedish Family Clinic and Compass Health by providing resources, support around navigating medical systems, and therapy services.
Throughout the years, Chris has supported various populations including children, adolescents, families, adults, partners, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Chris provides therapy in English and Spanish for individuals and persons in relationships, and gender affirming care to all her clients.
Licensure
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Washington state registered with the Department of Health (License No. LW 61191172).
Education
Master of Social Work, Clinical Mental Health Track, University of Washington. Seattle WA.
EMDR Trained Therapist, Parts I & II completed.
EFT for Couples Externship.
CBT+ Certified by the CBT+ Collaborative of the Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
CBT for Depression, Anxiety, Trauma
Specialized Training
EMDR Training Parts I &II by Insight Counseling Center and the Institute of Creative Mindfulness
Addressing Trauma and Recovery in Multi-Generational Advanced Practice
Talking about Sex in Therapy Training
Externship for Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Certificate Course
Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk Training (AMSR)
Affirmative Mental Health Care for Transgender Clients
Beyond Inclusion, Beyond Empowerment Overview Training
New Parenthood in the Time of COVID Training
Workshop in Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy for OCD
Easy Ego State Interventions Training by Robin Shapiro
Northwest Leaders in Screening Brief Intervention and Referrals Integrative Seminars
Autism: De-Escalate Meltdowns and Diffuse Explosive Behaviors in Children and Adolescents
Making Child Therapy Work Training
Law & Ethics in Telehealth: WA State Training
About Chris, the person.
Chris uses pronouns she/hers/ella and identifies as cisgender female, heterosexual, immigrant, Latinx, and bilingual (Spanish/English). Chris was born in Lima, Peru and moved to Washington State in 1998, which has now been her home for over two decades. This has given Chris a rich experience of learning about countries, culture, diversity and changes which she draws from to this day.
On a personal note, Chris in avid reader of sci-fi and fantasy fiction, watching movies and reality TV (current favorite show is RuPaul’s Drag Race), playing D&D with family and friends, and enjoys travels.
Chris is engaged with her professional community through the National Association of Social Workers, and the Washington State Society for Clinical Social Work (WSSCSW).
About the Logo
The Kirkland EMDR Counseling Logo is rich in symbolism of what the practice stands for:
The beautiful pine trees represent the pacific northwest and the forest of our thoughts and our internal world. To know ourselves better, we need to understand both the trees and the forest.
The sea of the pacific represents the connection water has to many places and parts of ourselves. Emotions can be like the calm or rough seas we experience in life.
The ship (Caballo de Totora) represents the practice owner’s Peruvian culture (inclusivity), as well as navigation and discovery. We learn how to navigate the sea of our emotions as well as discover new forests that can help us hold ourselves with more compassion and kindness.
The sunrise/sunset is the symbols of endings and beginnings, or the meaning of change. All things change and transform in our everyday life as sure as there’s sunrise and sunsets every day—and so can we.
The two birds represent social connection and shared humanity. In the presence of each other’s humanity, we can travel together toward your goals.
The eye shape stands for both EMDR (EMDR started with eye movements) and integrated insight into ourselves and the world around us.
If the meanings of the logo resonate with what you want for your journey, request your complimentary 30 minute consultation today!
