Blake Thompson, LMHC

Washington State Department of Health License Number: LH60884873

Blake provides counseling and psychotherapy at Seattle Anxiety Specialists and serves as our Executive Director.

He has earned graduate degrees in both Psychology and Philosophy, and has extensive experience providing Existential Psychotherapy focusing on the needs of those struggling with issues of meaning, purpose, and identity.

Blake also has extensive training in and experience providing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). He utilizes CBT to help adults struggling with anxiety disorders, including GAD, OCD, PTSD, agoraphobia, panic disorder, and social anxiety. He also loves working with neurodivergent teens and adults (including those with ADHD and Autism).

Before founding Seattle Anxiety Specialists in 2016, Blake pursued a wide range of other professional interests. These include curating a lecture series for a group of art galleries in the Portland area, working as a writer for Max Baucus (U.S. ambassador to China under the Obama Administration), and presenting original research at academic conferences around the world (hosted by universities such as Brown, Carnegie Mellon, and The École Normale Supérieure).

• Works with individuals. Sees clients ages 13 and up.

• Booking appointment: Online booking (check availability). If no availability shows up or name does not appear, this means he is currently full.

Priyanka Shokeen, PH.D.

Washington State Department of Health License Number: PY61191379

Priyanka provides counseling, psychotherapy, and psychological testing and assessments at Seattle Anxiety Specialists, and serves as our Clinical Director.

She provides clinical supervision to our staff, clinical consultations to other professionals in the area, and care coordination for patients with complex or refractory symptoms.

Her clinical work is focused on providing both short-term and long-term psychotherapy for people dealing with depression, anxiety, complex trauma as well as treatment resistant conditions like personality disorders. Priyanka uses psychodynamic, CBT & DBT in her therapy approach. She also provides comprehensive psychological evaluations, primarily for the purposes of diagnostic clarification, for clients that have not had success with therapy in the past and want to make sure that they are receiving the correct diagnosis and treatment plan.

Before joining Seattle Anxiety Specialists, Priyanka was a clinical fellow at Columbia University.

She can provide counseling in English as well as Hindi/Urdu. 

• Works with individuals. Sees clients ages 18 and up.

• Booking appointment: Online booking (check availability). If no availability shows up or name does not appear, this means she is currently full.

Chris Russo, LICSW

Washington State Department of Health License Number: LW61088963

Chris provides counseling and psychotherapy at Seattle Anxiety Specialists and serves as our Director of Clinical Training and Education, overseeing all aspects of our Clinical Internship program as well as providing clinical supervision and support to our clinical intern team.

Prior to joining Seattle Anxiety Specialists, Chris worked in a variety of care settings designing and facilitating experiential-based therapy programs focused on stress management and resiliency building. Through non-profit community partnerships, he also developed and led LGBTQ+ youth support groups and previously worked for a wilderness therapy program in Hawai’i.

Chris’s clinical work focuses on supporting individuals with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive tendencies. He has trained extensively in a number of evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). He is an active member with the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) and graduate of their intensive Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI).

Chris also teaches courses in mental health and ecopsychology for the University of Washington Tacoma and Lewis & Clark College. He is active in research related to mental health prevention programming, nature’s impact on mental health, and addressing discriminatory policies within higher education.

• Works with individuals. Sees clients ages 10 and up.

• Booking appointment: Online booking (check availability). If no availability shows up or name does not appear, this means he is currently full.

Rachael Sofian, LMFT

Washington State Department of Health License Number: LF60914997

Rachael provides counseling and psychotherapy at Seattle Anxiety Specialists and serves as our Staff Wellness Director.

Rachael’s therapeutic approach centers on building deep therapeutic rapport with clients using a blend of Art Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) models. She collaborates with clients to assist them in building self-awareness and confidence in who they are.

Rachael has partnered with the Seattle Children’s Hospital Gender Clinic to provide gender-affirming therapeutic and medical care for trans and nonbinary youth. Rachael serves Seattle Public Schools and King County in an advisory capacity to improve the quality of healthcare of trans youth in Seattle schools. She also provides guest lectures for Psychology students at local universities.

Earning a BFA in mixed media before going to graduate school to become a therapist, Rachael has exhibited her work in local art galleries and has created album art for local PNW bands. She brings these worlds together in her therapeutic work, helping her clients confidently express themselves.

• Works with families, couples, and individuals. Sees clients ages 5 and up.

• Booking appointment: Online booking (check availability). If no availability shows up or name does not appear, this means she is currently full.

Kailee Eeckhoudt, LMHCA

Washington State Department of Health License Number: MC61244847

Kailee provides counseling and psychotherapy at Seattle Anxiety Specialists Seattle Anxiety Specialists and also teaches classes and workshops to the public on how to use mindfulness as an effective stress management approach.

She has training in a wide range of evidence based therapies, including broadly applicable approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as well as a number of disorder specific exposure therapies, such as Written Exposure Therapy (WET) for PTSD and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD.

Prior to heading to graduate school to study clinical mental health counseling, Kailee earned a degree in History.

• Works with individuals. Sees clients ages 18 and up.

• Booking appointment: Online booking (check availability). If no availability shows up or name does not appear, this means she is currently full.

Anne Farina, LICSW

Washington State Department of Health License Number: LW61020228

Anne provides counseling and psychotherapy at Seattle Anxiety Specialists and is also an Assistant Professor at Seattle University where she teaches clinical coursework for graduate students in the Social Work department, training them to become psychotherapists.

Anne has training in a wide range of evidence based therapies, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and also utilizes play therapy in her work with children and families.

During her doctoral work at Saint Louis University, her research focused on intergenerational trauma among families in Latin America, the impact of armed conflict on parenting and child outcomes, and trauma-focused interventions for adults impacted by war and armed conflict. Anne’s published research spans a range of clinical topics including mindfulness based interventions, exposure therapy, and the importance of trauma informed care.

In recognition of her activism, Anne received the Exemplary Peace Activist Award from the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.

She can provide counseling in English as well as Spanish.

• Works with individuals, families, and couples. Sees clients ages 5 and up.

• Booking appointment: Online booking (check availability). If no availability shows up or name does not appear, this means she is currently full.

Rachel Kuras, LMHCA

Washington State Department of Health License Number: MC61436782

Rachel provides counseling and psychotherapy at Seattle Anxiety Specialists.

While earning her Doctoral Degree in Psychology from Pacific University, Rachel worked on research related to trauma informed care. She has been trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment Regulation and Commitment Therapy (ARC), has experience volunteering as a sexual assault victim’s advocate, and is currently developing her skillset as an OCD therapist.

Before joining Seattle Anxiety Specialists, Rachel completed an internship through the Idaho Psychology Internship Consortium where she provided in person individual psychotherapy for children and adolescents, family therapy, comprehensive neuropsychological assessment, and comprehensive diagnostic assessments.

Most of her clinical work focuses on: Trauma, Attachment, Gender & Sexual Diversity, Family Conflict, Grief, Anxiety, Depression, and ADHD

• Works with individuals and families. Sees clients of all ages.

• Booking appointment: Online booking (check availability). If no availability shows up or name does not appear, this means she is currently full.

Case Lovell, LMHC

Washington State Department of Health License Number: LH60875123

Case provides counseling and psychotherapy at Seattle Anxiety Specialists.

Before joining Seattle Anxiety Specialists, he worked for many years in a wide variety of settings, including psychiatric clinics and homeless shelters, as well as his own solo private practice, providing psychotherapy to clients struggling with severe mental health issues.

The clinical expertise he developed in these settings, using evidence based methods such as Brief Solution Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), make him a great fit for clients with particularly acute and challenging symptoms such as panic disorder and chronic suicidal ideation.

Case also has extensive experience managing the often complex interrelationships between anxiety, substance abuse, depression, and additional diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum disorders and ADHD.

• Works with individuals. Sees clients ages 18 and up.

• Booking appointment: Online booking (check availability). If no availability shows up or name does not appear, this means he is currently full.

Jim McDonnell, LMFT

Washington State Department of Health License Number: LF61251315

Jim is provides counseling and psychotherapy at Seattle Anxiety Specialists.

Prior to joining Seattle Anxiety Specialists, Jim ran a solo private practice in Seattle’s West Seattle neighborhood.

Jim's therapeutic approach draws upon evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), relational theories, and somatic interventions. This integrated blend equips him to address a wide range of concerns, including: anxiety, depression, relationship and attachment issues, and stress management. He fosters a collaborative, goal-oriented environment where clients can explore their experiences with compassion and develop effective coping mechanisms to navigate life's uncertainties.

Before embarking on his career in mental health, Jim traversed diverse landscapes—from honing his interpersonal skills and resilience in the fast-paced environment of the restaurant industry, to conducting research at NASA, and navigating the intricacies of the tech world at Microsoft and T-Mobile. This unique tapestry of experience allows him to connect deeply with individuals facing a wide range of challenges.

• Works with individuals. Sees clients ages 18 and up.

• Booking appointment: Online booking (check availability). If no availability shows up or name does not appear, this means he is currently full.

Cassandra Nichols, Ph.D.

Washington State Department of Health License Number: PY00002320

Cassie provides counseling and psychotherapy at Seattle Anxiety Specialists, as well as psychological testing & assessment.

Before joining Seattle Anxiety Specialists, she was the Director of Psychological & Wellness Services at The University of Washington Tacoma, the Director of Counseling and Psychological Services at Washington State University before that, and also ran her own solo private psychology practice for many years.

In addition to her clinical work as a psychologist, Cassie has provided supervision and training to many early career psychologists and has published nearly a dozen peer reviewed papers in venues such as The Encyclopedia of Counseling, The Counseling Psychologist, and The American Psychologist; she has also taught numerous courses on psychology, been nominated for outstanding faculty awards, and has spoken on her work and research as a psychologist at academic and professional conferences across the U.S. and internationally.

• Works with individuals. 18 and up.

• Booking appointment: Online booking (check availability). If no availability shows up or name does not appear, this means they are currently full.

Nica Selvaggio, LMHC

Washington State Department of Health License Number: LH60596733

Nica provides counseling and psychotherapy at Seattle Anxiety Specialists.

Before joining Seattle Anxiety Specialists, she ran a solo private practice in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Nica has been trained in evidence-based therapies, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Family Based Therapy (FBT), and Somatic Experiencing. They have experience working with patients on a wide variety of issues, including anxiety disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse, sexual orientation and gender identity, acculturation and systemic oppression related to race and gender, trauma and PTSD, mood disorders, personality disorders, self-harm, relational issues, and attachment struggles.

In addition to their work as a therapist, Nica is also a published poet, has been featured in various magazines and podcasts, and has experience teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

• Works with individuals. Sees adults and adolescents, ages 13 and up.

• Booking appointment: Online booking (check availability). If no availability shows up or name does not appear, this means they are currently full.

• Nica will be on maternity leave from May through July. To maintain a continuum of care, other therapists at Seattle Anxiety Specialists will be available to see Nica’s patients while they are on maternity leave.

Jerome Veith, LMHC

Washington State Department of Health License Number: LH61225463

Jerome provides counseling and psychotherapy at Seattle Anxiety Specialists.

Before joining Seattle Anxiety Specialists, he ran a solo private practice in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood.

In addition to his work as a therapist, Jerome also teaches full time at Seattle University. He designs interdisciplinary courses for students in Psychology, exploring the significance of trauma and what it means for us to process and heal from traumatic experiences. Jerome has also published numerous articles, a number of literary and philosophical translations, and a recent book focused on understanding our relationship to our past.

Prior to his graduate studies in Psychology, Jerome earned a PhD in Philosophy, still teaches Philosophy at the college level, and as a result is also an exceptionally good fit for clients struggling with issues of purpose, meaning, and personal identity. He can also provide therapy in German.

• Works with individuals. Sees clients ages 18 and up.

• Booking appointment: Online booking (check availability). If no availability shows up or name does not appear, this means he is currently full.

Jennifer Yeh, LMHC

Washington State Department of Health License Number: LH60793990

Jennifer provides counseling and psychotherapy at Seattle Anxiety Specialists.

Prior to joining Seattle Anxiety Specialists, Jennifer ran a solo private practice in the Bay Area specializing in treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and other anxiety disorders using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). She has spent a substantial amount of time involved in research at UC Berkeley and Stanford University. She is also a graduate of the International OCD Foundation’s intensive Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI).

Jennifer also loves working with parents on anxiety related to raising children and with Asian Americans on anxieties related to cultural identity.

• Works with individuals. Sees clients ages 18 and up.

• Booking appointment: Online booking (check availability). If no availability shows up or name does not appear, this means she is currently full.

SARAH POTTER

Sarah (they/she) is a Clinical Intern in Seattle Anxiety Specialists’ low-cost therapy program for 2023-2024, providing individual and couples therapy via in-person and telehealth video sessions. 

Sarah is currently a student at Antioch University in the Couples and Family Therapy master's program and the Sex Therapy certificate program. Their approach to therapy is rooted in a relational and systemic focus, recognizing the intricate connections among individuals, couples, and families within the broader societal contexts that shape their experiences.

Sarah's is drawn to various modalities, including Solution-Focused, Cognitive-Behavioral, Bowenian, and Gottman therapies. They aspire to integrate components from various orientations into a dynamic and adaptable framework, tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of each individual or couple.

They acknowledge the importance of incorporating feminist and queer theory into their work to establish a safe and empowering environment conducive to fostering durable change. Above all, Sarah is committed to collaborative client-centered therapy, with a goal to assist clients in harnessing their inner strengths and resources to navigate life's challenges and achieve their desired goals.

• Works with individuals and couples (including polycules!).

• Sees clients ages 13 and up.

• Appointments are booked through the low-fee program. (Click to schedule)

Shreya Naropantula

Shreya (she/her) is a Clinical Intern at Seattle Anxiety Specialists’ low-cost therapy program, providing individual counseling via telehealth and in-person sessions to both adults and teens.

She is currently a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling at Seattle University. Shreya is particularly drawn to humanistic, psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral approaches to psychotherapy. She views therapy through a culturally sensitive lens and is passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive space for individuals and honoring their unique cultural and racial backgrounds.

Shreya has an interest in attachment theory and the role that it plays in relationships throughout the course of life. Shreya values introspection and self-compassion as crucial components of therapy and is dedicated to creating a safe and non-judgmental space for her clients.

• Works with individuals. Sees clients ages 13 and up.

• Appointments are booked through the low-fee program. (Click to schedule)

Kallan (Kali) Palmer

Kali (she/they) is a Clinical Intern in Seattle Anxiety Specialists’ low-cost therapy program from 2023-2024, providing individual therapy via telehealth video sessions.

She is a current graduate student in the Master of Psychology program at Seattle University (where she earned her BA in psychology). Kali has training in an existential-phenomenological approach and is greatly influenced by Feminist and Queer theory. She practices with an emphasis on sex-positive, kink-allied, body-neutral, and trauma-informed care and has a deep love for working with individuals who feel they exist outside of the norm, such as LGBTQIA+, neuro-diverse, kinky, and polyamorous people. She believes that our humanity is in our messiness and that therapy offers us an opportunity to deepen our compassion toward ourselves and shed what no longer serves us.

• Works with individuals. Sees clients ages 18 and up.

• Appointments are booked through the low-fee program. (Click to schedule)

Max Moeser

Max is a Clinical Intern in Seattle Anxiety Specialists’ low-cost therapy program, providing both individual and group therapy.

He is earning his Master’s degree in psychology at Seattle University, he has previously worked as a behavioral therapist and utilizes both CBT and DBT techniques in therapy to help clients understand their patterns of behavior. Max has training in an existential-phenomenological approach but also has an interest in narrative therapy, prioritizing the client’s lived experience, including storytelling and meaning making in the therapeutic process.

• Works with individuals. Sees clients ages 18 and up.

• Appointments are booked through the low-fee program. (Click to schedule)

Bradley (Brad) McCausland

Brad (he/him) is a Clinical Intern at Seattle Anxiety Specialists’ low-cost therapy program, providing individual therapy via in-person and telehealth sessions.

Brad is currently working towards his master’s degree with Seattle University’s MA in Psychology program, where he is being trained in an existential-phenomenological approach to therapy. His views on therapy and mental health are also heavily influenced by his experience in crisis intervention, and he has extensive experience working with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, and a wide variety of other concerns.

In therapy sessions, Brad strives to embody the three pillars of person-centered therapy: understanding, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard, and he seeks to work with clients as a partner rather than as an authority figure. He hopes that by creating a relationship in which it is safe to express and explore one’s deepest thoughts with non-judgmental curiosity, that his clients will be able to move towards greater self-understanding, self-esteem, and clarity in their lives.

Before training as a therapist, Brad earned a degree in Computer Science and endured a brief career as a software developer, which he found particularly unfulfilling. As a result, he retains a special interest in vocational issues, personal fulfillment, and “the meaning of life.”

• Works with individuals. Sees clients ages 18 and up.

• Appointments are booked through the low-fee program. (Click to schedule)

jared banka

Jared is a Clinical Intern in Seattle Anxiety Specialists’ low-cost therapy program, providing individual therapy via in-person and telehealth sessions from 2023-2024.

Jared is currently working towards his master’s degree with Seattle University’s MA in Psychology program. His training emphasizes an existential and humanistic approach to psychotherapy. These disciplines have helped him learn to turn toward and fully tune into others by becoming present to their unique lived experience, distress and suffering. He aspires to provide a person-centered approach to therapy and help clients experience a better quality of life through self-understanding and skill development. His approach is influenced by compassion and mindfulness philosophies. Jared’s intention is to help clients to see and experience their emotions more deeply and find meaning in the process.

Prior to graduate school Jared worked over a decade as a merchant mariner. This experience took him to many of the less traveled parts of the world granting him a unique perspective on the human experience, isolation and the sublime rhythms of the natural world. Jared has direct experience living and working on the fringes of society and managing the challenges of a difficult work-life balance.

• Works with individuals. Sees clients ages 18 and up.

• Appointments are booked through the low-fee program. (Click to schedule)

Haley Marshall

Haley (she/they) is a Clinical Intern in Seattle Anxiety Specialists’ low-cost therapy program from 2023-2024, providing individual therapy via both in-person and telehealth video sessions.

Haley is a current graduate student in the Master of Psychology program at Seattle University, that teaches an existential-phenomenological approach to psychotherapy. As a former caregiver, Haley is acutely aware of the stress caring for others can cause and aims to create a space for those attempting to balance the care of themselves with their care of others. Her approach to the therapeutic relationship is heavily influenced by humanistic theory and is rooted in compassionate care. Haley is also affirming and knowledgeable of both traditional and alternative family and relationship structures. She believes that therapy should be a caring and nonjudgmental place where we have the opportunity to grow and explore facets of ourselves we may not have room to explore elsewhere. Moreover, she believes that every individual is capable of finding meaning in their lives.

• Works with individuals. Sees clients ages 18 and up.

• Appointments are booked through the low-fee program. (Click to schedule)

Marilyn Napier

Marilyn (she/her) is a Clinical Intern in Seattle Anxiety Specialists’ low-cost therapy program for 2023-2024, providing individual therapy and couples therapy via in-person and telehealth video sessions.

She is in her last year of her graduate degree in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Seattle University. Her intention is to create a trauma-informed, anti-racist space where she can provide clients unconditional acceptance, support, and empathy while fostering healing, self-awareness, empowerment, and self-compassion. Her approach is influenced by the belief that early childhood experiences have an impact on our adult lives, and that anxiety can come from one’s search for meaning, identity, and purpose. 

Additionally, Marilyn has completed the Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and incorporates this training into her relational work with couples.

Before pursuing her master’s degree, Marilyn started her career in journalism and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in News/Editorial Journalism from Western Washington University. After working in newsrooms for several years, she transitioned to work in the tech industry as a marketing manager. Because of her past work experiences, Marilyn is especially interested in working with clients who are experiencing anxiety, burnout, work stress, and difficult life transitions. 

• Works with individuals and couples. Sees clients ages 13 and up.

• Appointments are booked through the low-fee program. (Click to schedule)