Seattle Therapy Alliance is proud of the practitioners who make STA their counseling home. As a coveted counseling in/externship site, we are privileged that we can be highly selective in our hiring decisions, accepting only counselors who exhibit outstanding traits throughout our rigorous application procedure. Thus, while our practitioners are not yet licensed in the State of Washington, we are confident that each of them practices ethically and is safe, capable and compassionate. Our record of significantly above-average attendance and satisfaction by patients demonstrates the effectiveness of our counselors. We hope you’ll get to know them as well!
Co-Founder, Director of Administration & Recruitment
Susan Hall is a Licensed Mental Health counselor in the state of Washington and has worked in social service and counseling settings since 1991. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in social work, she co-founded a transitional housing program for women and children in central Indiana where she directed the program until her entry into graduate training in 1998. Susan obtained her Master of Arts in Counseling in 2000. In 2004, she opened Greenlake Counseling Services (GCS), a counseling community that provides low-cost office space for private practitioners; GCS is now home to nearly 30 practitioners. Susan received her Doctor of Ministry in International Feminist Theology from San Francisco Theological Seminary in May of 2008; she was fortunate to study abroad with women from every continent while learning the perspectives of feminist theologians from around the world. Dr. Hall has also received post-graduate training in art therapy, marriage and family therapy, gender and violence, attachment theories, feminist ethics, Clinical Supervision, and the residual psychological effects of slavery. She is qualified as an Approved Supervisor in Washington State for therapists seeking ongoing supervision.
Co-Founder, Director of Clinical Supervision & Education
Julie Cake has a long history of service in her community. Dating as far back as she can remember, Julie has consistently found herself in mentorship and leadership roles among her peers. She entered the field of education after receiving a teaching scholarship and graduated with highest distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1995. She worked as an English and history teacher in the North Carolina public schools for five years and was part of the founding faculty of Kestrel Heights Charter School serving many at-risk teenagers. As a teacher, Julie conducted class seminars using literature and art and taught students how to express their own ideas and communicate in a group setting. She started after school groups addressing various emotional issues that her students faced, always going above and beyond her duties. Julie’s students scored highly on state tests year after year. In 2000, Julie moved to Seattle to pursue her Masters in Counseling. Upon graduation, she had 500 hours of practicum experience and had completed a 250 hour internship working with sexual abuse victims. Julie is a life-long learner and has continued her education over the years to better serve her clients. Most recently she undertook a yearlong course on clinical theory and practice through Wellspring Family Services and has received further training on new HIPAA laws. Julie has taken the initial training in EMDR, Lifespan Integration and the Emotional Regulation Skills portion of DBT. She finds her in-depth work with clients the most fulfilling side of treatment. She regularly consults with more experienced therapists and keeps up on current research in her field. Julie’s areas of interests include adolescents, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, grief/loss, PTSD, relationship problems, sexual abuse and women’s issues. Julie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and an approved Clinical Supervisor in Washington State. She lives in Seattle with her husband, two boys, and two cats.
Counseling Intern
Nicole graduated with her Bachelor's degree in Psychology & Art in 2005. After spending time overseas and beginning a career in education development, she moved from Florida to Seattle to pursue further education the field of Psychology. She will graduate in April of 2011 with her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. She is interested in the integration of mind, body and spirit within the counseling relationship and has a commitment to cultivating space for creative expression and movement.
Counseling Intern
Bethanne Kinmonth loves to dance. She is inspired by movement and the impact of learning to explore space, both physically and emotionally. Ten years ago, she first became interested in working with women in a therapeutic context through volunteer work at a women's youth prison. Through her cross-cultural experiences traveling and living abroad, Bethanne has been honored to catch glimpses of the mysterious similarities shared by all women of diverse cultures. Currently, she enjoys spending time up in the mountains, whether hiking or snowboarding. She has found a way of connecting her love of mountains and her love of people by volunteering as a snowboard instructor for local at-risk youth. As an intern, Bethanne will graduate with her Master's in Counseling Psychology in the spring of 2011. In her counseling work, Bethanne believes it an honor to accompany women as they courageously journey toward themselves.
Counseling Intern
Han-Meh Chang graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. After graduating, she spent two years living abroad and working in Asia. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and completing her internship at Seattle Therapy Alliance. She works from a psychodynamic approach that incorporates a wide variety of therapeutic models. Han-Meh believes it is crucial for the therapeutic relationship to be characterized by trust, safety, and respect. She views the therapeutic process as one in which the client’s capacity for self-awareness is strengthened and thereby allows the client to have more freedom and choice in life. Han-Meh is passionate about advocating for and working with marginalized groups and hopes to help women discover a more empowering and fulfilling future.
Counseling Intern
Tracy graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies after completing her internship in County Kerry, Ireland, working with Irish Youth. In 2006, she received her Master of Divinity from Southeastern Seminary in North Carolina. She taught introductory writing courses for college freshmen for two years prior to moving to Seattle in 2008 to pursue her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. Tracy has a strong interest in body image as it relates to female sexuality. She loves the use of poetry and creative writing as transformative tools in the therapeutic process of restoring beauty, wholeness and healing.
Post-Graduate Counseling Intern
Nancy Angell is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate in the State of Washington with a Master’s in Art in Psychology from Antioch with a concentration in mental health counseling.
Counseling Intern
Grace Nichols is an intern with Seattle Therapy Alliance. She graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 2006 with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She will graduate with her Masters in Counseling Psychology in June 2011. Grace holds several years of experience in various psychological fields. She has a deep passion for working with women, especially those who have been harmed from difficult cultural or domestic environments. She seeks to work with women through their hurt toward a holistic healing that can only be found in relationship.
Post-Graduate Counseling Intern
Simcha Shtull is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate in the State of Washington, and a Master’s level graduate of Antioch University’s School of Applied Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy. Simcha also holds a Master’s degree in Hebrew Letters.