
Meet Our Therapists

Ariel Richards, MA, LMFTA
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate
Coming to individual or relationship counseling can feel weird! My aim is to collaborate with you to create an open, judgment-free space where you can feel safe being vulnerable. With warmth and humor, I walk with you as we map your inner world–your memories, beliefs, emotions, values, meanings, and more–in search of new ways of connecting with yourself and others. I view therapy as a tool to help you develop a deep, compassionate understanding of all the things that make you you. With that understanding, it is easier to embrace the pieces that add to your life and put down the pieces that no longer serve you. My approach is strengths-based and client-centered: you are the expert on your experiences and I am here to help you create the rich, meaningful life you want, not to tell you how to think or feel or live. I draw from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help individuals and partners build connection and intimacy and transform the painful patterns that keep them stuck. I also integrate techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), attachment-based theories, and somatic practices. As a queer, neurodivergent woman with chronic illness, I value cultural attunement and accessibility. Whether or not we share identities or experiences, I am committed to practicing from a culturally responsive, trauma-informed, systemic lens that honors your unique self. I welcome discussions about race, systemic injustice, historic and current oppression, and any topic that affects you in or outside the therapy room. I have experience helping individuals and couples, age 18 and up, navigate complex issues including intergenerational trauma, disability and chronic illness, family conflict, depression, anxiety, grief, and life transitions. My clinical experience includes providing therapy to a wide range of identities and populations at Valley Cities Behavioral Healthcare and providing therapy and care coordination to seniors and disabled folks at Auburn Senior Center. Before becoming a therapist, I worked as a pastry chef and cook. Nowadays, I still bake occasionally (though not as much as my wife would prefer). My favorite hobby is collecting hobbies; I am happiest when I can bounce from whittling to dancing to cross-stitching and back again. When I’m not creating, I’m serenading my cats, Lola and Ferdinand, soaking in nature, or enjoying the chance to sit and do nothing. *Clinical Supervisor: Cody McCall, MA, LMHC*

Mckenna Paddock, MA, LMHCA, ATR-P
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
I’m so glad you’ve found your way here! You can call me Mckenna or Kenna (they/them). I identify as Queer, neurodivergent, a “spoonie”, and was raised on the unceded land of the Duwamish people, now known as Seattle. As an ally to those with marginalized identities, I’m grounded in the belief that our collective liberation is interconnected. I recognize how structural harms shape our experiences and healing journeys, and I’m committed to creating an inclusive, gender-affirming, sex-positive space rooted in Health at Every Size, and beyond. My work blends Liberation Psychology and Feminist Theory, striving to be authentic, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive. Wherever you are on your healing journey, I’m honored to witness the complexity and beauty that make you uniquely human. I have experience providing LGBTQIA2S+ and neurodivergent-affirming care to teens and young adults navigating their sexual orientation and gender exploration, life transitions, family dynamics (particularly for children of immigrants and third culture individuals), disability & chronic illness, trauma/PTSD/C-PTSD, and suicidal ideation. I believe in the healing power of the creative arts and will introduce you to art therapy. Whether or not we incorporate art in our work together, creativity can show up in many ways, and I look forward to exploring that with you. I take a holistic approach, recognizing that therapy is just one part of your broader journey. I integrate Internal Family Systems, somatic experiencing, creative arts, harm-reduction, and trauma-informed care to help you access parts of yourself that may feel hard to reach. Healing isn’t linear, and I’m here for the process—whether we're diving deep or sharing a laugh. Therapy is as a partnership that we co-create together—built on trust, curiosity, and compassion. I meet you where you are, honoring you as the expert in your own experience. Together, we’ll tap into your existing strengths, hold each other accountable, and work toward your therapeutic goals—bringing in playfulness, creativity, and flexibility along the way. I hold a MA from Antioch University Seattle, trained in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy, and a BA in Peace and Conflict Studies from Western Washington University. I spent 10 years in direct service focused on the rights of immigrant, refugee, and unhoused communities. My background, combined with my intersectional identities, fuel my passion for social justice and shape how I engage in both our work together and my personal life. I also spend time nourishing my soul listening to music, reading, rowing, traveling, creating art with my community, and cozy movie nights with my wife and two cats. *Clinical Supervisor: Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS*

Antoiniqua Daniels, MA, LMHCA
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
Taking new clients March 24
I believe that we all deserve a dynamic life. A life aligned with self, full of community, compassion and love. I help those who are anxious, high achieving and successful who feel like they are just going through the motions. Who want to break generational patterns. Maybe your the "Golden Child" who was told that you didn't cause much trouble when you were younger and now you find yourself constantly people pleasing and managing your family, partner and even co-workers emotions and lives. I help those who struggle with fears of the future and shame of the past. Despite being ambitious, giving and hardworking, life is hard. Maybe you are holding everything together in your life, yet you feel exhausted, lost and undervalued. My goal is to partner with you and guide you on your journey. To support you in connecting to your intuitive self and trust yourself while letting go of past hurts and pain from the past. To move from survival to thriving in the ways your heart desires. I approach therapy knowing that each client has their own individual path to healing. I consider myself an eclectic therapist and use approaches such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Attachment Theory, Somatic Therapy and Narrative Therapy. I often work from a somatic approach knowing that our bodies tell our story even if our minds don’t remember. *Clinical Supervisor: Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS*

Oscar Secrist, MEd, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Taking new clients March 24
My aim is to help clients heal from old wounds so they can live in the present and build a life that feels meaningful. Most of the clients I work with have experienced trauma of some kind, whether in a single isolated event or through many events over the course of their lifetime. I am skilled at helping folx explore the ways in which their trauma has impacted their life so that they can begin the work of unpacking their feelings, grieving what was lost, and finding a way to move forward with a deeper sense of connection to themselves and to others. Who I am I am a neurodiverse, queer, transgender individual (he/him) who is white, middle-aged, and able-bodied. I was raised in Appalachia and am now proud to call Seattle home. In my spare time, I enjoy cuddling with my dog (Zuzu) and cat (Matilda), supporting local theater, trying new recipes to enjoy with friends, discovering new music, and finding quiet moments in nature. My approach Therapy should be collaborative, creative, and tailored to each client's unique needs. My integrative approach draws from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), psychodynamic theory, Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). In addition to psychotherapeutic techniques, I often call on my undergraduate training in philosophical inquiry to help clients who are grappling with fundamental questions about the nature of life, the universe, and everything (as Douglas Adams so neatly phrased it). Clients tell me they appreciate my warmth, curiosity, patience, and sense of humor. I am firmly dedicated to practicing from an intersectional, anti-oppressive, and holistic lens that takes into consideration how the systems in which we live affect our lives. You are not a problem – you are a person with problems, and more often than not those problems have roots in systemic injustices. Most of my career has been spent working with LGBTQ+ folx. While I enjoy working with people from all walks of life, I am particularly passionate about supporting clients as they explore their gender identity. Whether you are questioning, contemplating coming out, socially transitioning, medically transitioning, or pausing transition, I will gladly walk beside you in your journey of self-discovery.

Emily Cabrera, MSW, LICSW
Clinical Supervisor, Clinical Social Worker
I am a licensed clinical social worker practicing therapy in Seattle for over 14 years. Social Workers bring a unique perspective to therapy in the way that we conceptualize our work; I am interested in learning about each individual’s needs while also understanding the broader social and environmental factors impacting their lives. A commitment to social justice and advocacy is at the heart of what I do as therapist and person in the world. I’m not just a therapist, I am also an advocate, an activist, a problem solver, and a case manager. I believe the dignity and self-determination of each client is of utmost importance, and to know each client in a holistic way. I am also passionate about decolonizing therapy, and aspire to integrate cultural and spiritual healing practices with more mainstream evidence-based modalities. In session I strive to show up as radically genuine. I will challenge you, but I also hope that you’ll feel deeply seen understood, and appreciated. I can be direct in my communication, but also funny and playful. When appropriate, my canine co-therapist Gus can join us for added comfort. I completed my formal training at Florida State University (BA Psychology) and University of Central Florida (MSW). I have specialized training in play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, solutions-focused therapy, and other evidence-based practices. My areas of clinical specialty include child and adolescent mental health; anxiety-related concerns, including OCD, panic, and phobias; parenting concern and perinatal/maternal mental health. When I’m not working I am spending time with my two young children and my husband. I love to read, sing, play, and craft alongside my favorite humans. I also love snacks and reality TV.

Cody McCall, MA, LMHC
Director of Clinical Training, Clinical Supervisor, Counselor
My area of expertise lies in Narrative Therapy, which underscores the significance of the narratives we construct and their potential to either hinder or empower our lives. Narrative Therapy forms the cornerstone of my therapeutic understanding. My objective is to facilitate clients in reclaiming control over their narratives, thereby enabling them to lead healthier, more fulfilling, and productive lives. In addition to Narrative Therapy, I incorporate methodologies from Sexual Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Gestalt Therapy, Internal Family Systems, mindfulness-based techniques, and trauma-informed practices. I am committed to promoting social and cultural justice, principles that are foundational to my professional practice. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Washington State University. Subsequently, I completed a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Regis University in Denver, concentrating on mental health crisis intervention. I am in the process of completing a Doctorate in Counseling Education and Supervision from Saybrook University. Outside of my professional practice, I regularly engage in outdoor activities. As a native of Washington State, I possess a profound appreciation for the Pacific Northwest and enjoy pursuits such as hiking and camping. Furthermore, I actively participate in the nerd community, finding enjoyment in tabletop and role-playing games. I take pride in being a dog owner to Meadh, a nine-year-old Rottweiler, and Callisto, a two-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog.

Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS
Founder, Clinical Director, Clinical Supervisor, Counselor
Not taking new clients
I operate from an integrated approach to therapy. Science has taught us that our genes (epigenetics) are impacted as far back as our grandmother's womb. Our early attachment experiences, genetics, identities, and environment shape our belief systems and how we have learned to navigate our world. This can impact our self-talk, our core beliefs about ourselves, and our worldview and beliefs about the nature of human suffering. I view therapy as an exploration of who you are and connecting with yourself compassionately to honor your story while recognizing that you are more than your story. You are an ever-evolving being. I am deeply committed to embodying cultural humility and creating a safe and non-judgmental space for healing. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is the most powerful tool in creating a space that allows compassionate inquiry into the self which is where I believe healing can best occur. I utilize aspects of Buddhist Psychology, attachment-based approaches, IFS, object relations (psychodynamic), DBT, ACT, and somatic therapies to support people in a way that makes sense for them and feels aligned with their experiences. I also have extensive experience supporting the LGBTQIA2S+ community and supporting those seeking gender-affirming care. I received my MA in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2007 and am currently pursuing my PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Saybrook University. In my free time I am an avid DIYer and have two sister cats, Calliope and Juno, who are connoisseurs of the cuddle puddle.