Therapy for complex trauma, sensitivity and chronic illness in Seattle, WA

For those who wish to be free, unbound, enlivened, and true:

Let me read you this quote from Diana Fosha to give you a broad sense of how I can help you.

“To live a full and connected life in the face of difficulty and even tragedy requires the capacity to feel and make use of our emotional experience.

So much of what leads individuals to seek therapy can be traced to the terror of [emotion]. People disconnect from their emotional experience, afraid of being overwhelmed, humiliated, or revealed as inadequate by the force of feelings - only to pay the price later in depression, isolation, and anxiety.”

Phew. Okay. I'm in this picture and I don't like it.

(Let’s break this down together.)

I believe that depression, anxiety, and many forms of chronic illness are our body’s way of saying "Hey! There’s something really important going on here!” Those of us that are sensitive come into the world really feeling everything. We are more prone to the fullness of life around us - both pleasant and painful. I love fellow HSP and spoonie Sophie Strand’s description of this in her memoir The Body is a Doorway:

“This was something I understood intimately as a child. I seemed to notice more. More bugs. More smells. More texture. More noise. More micro expressions on adult’s faces. More birdsong. More temperature fluctuations…I just knew that, for better or for worse, I seemed to be highly attuned to my surroundings. Yes, I watched doors, constantly monitored adults around me, and scanned rooms for signs of danger. But I also was transfixed for hours by dirt spangled with mycelia, air scintillating with dust, slugs leaving behind starlight-slick stories on the porch. I could read the breathing patterns of our cats and dogs, keyed into the smallest fluctuations in their wellbeing. Blue was more blue. I could feel a cat’s purr in my belly. Frog song vibrated below my tongue. The blooming lilac was so bright a smell it almost made a sound. A song. Life was often agonizing. But, much to my confusion, it also seemed more available to me than it did to others.”

When we are this sensitive to our world and we undergo trauma in whatever form - abuse, neglect, humiliation, rejection, isolation, misattunement, oppression, and so on - the imprint on our bodies is even deeper. The world is not built for sensitive people. Capitalism teaches us that we are bad for feeling deeply and expressing big, real emotional truths.

So, we have to choose. Authenticity or connection. When we are kids, we will choose connection every time. It means survivial.

So now, as an adult - you are chronically disconnected, unable to feel truly close to others, depressed, panicked, living in a body packed with autoimmunity, soft tissue dysfunction, and/or fatigue, terrified to show your true self to the world, and maybe even suicidal.

There is a way out - or rather - a way back. :)

About Me

Hi, I’m Danny! Thanks for being here. I’m a full heart on my sleeve type of person (and therapist). I bring a lot of my authentic human-ness to this work. I love balancing a passion for clinical excellence with a personable and heart-centered therapeutic style.

I came to work in the mental health field over ten years ago via the peer support world and the incredible work of the Wildflower Alliance. I owe a lot of my development as a human to this time. (As an aside, please support Wildflower and all of the beautiful work they’re doing!)

I was born into an incredibly sensitive body-mind, and I grew up in an environment that had no idea what to do with me. My body, already carrying so much ancestral trauma, took on the heartbreaking experiences of abuse during my most formative years. I struggled immensely as a young person with suicidality and self-harm. It took me a really long time to find my footing; it was via spaces where others “got it” without trying to “fix me” that I was able to begin healing.

And this is the underlying philosophy I hold for all of us: that, when we are in environments that love and accept us, that welcome our depth and our quirk and our messy uniqueness, that lovingly see the pain underneath our defenses, we know innately how to heal. I take my responsibility to create such an environment for you very seriously (but not too seriously). Your true self in all of its bigness, quirkiness, and beauty will not only be welcomed but deeply celebrated here.

I graduated with a Master’s Degree in Social Work in 2020 and have been a licensed therapist in Washington State since 2022. My style is gentle, loving, sturdy, and adaptable. I think I’m very funny, but you can ultimately be the judge of that. My promise to you is that I’m here with you for your healing arc- all of its messy ups and downs, all of its silly and sweet moments and painstaking heartbreaks. I’ll hold a steady, confident hand as you move towards the life you dream about.

Some other things I call myself beside a politicized healer include: tender heart, flowerchild, music-lover, wandering soul, and sports girl. I am a white, nonbinary, queer, and polyamorous Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) who lives with chronic autoimmunity, fatigue, and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS). I love italics if you haven’t already figured this out, because I love The Drama!! I have many years of prior experience in the peer support, political organizing, and nonprofit management spaces.

My Approach

True Self, Archetypes, Who’s in Our Corner?

I am trained in the lineage of Bill Plotkin, who speaks to a 3-D model of the psyche. You can read more about that here.

In short, I believe that even for those of us that have felt chronically alone or abandoned, who have undergone significant abuse or neglect - we have still always belonged in the family of the universe. A felt sense of this truth always lives underneath our pain, and we can feel it through things like breathwork or meditation, connection with nature, or archetypal work. I want to support you to feel in your core that even in all of your trauma, the universe is benevolent and holding you well.

I will help you more consciously feel this connection, which holds our hand through the challenges of life and through the more painful layers of trauma processing.

If this seems too woo-woo or doesn’t resonate with you, no problem! Roll your eyes at me and then let’s find another pathway to your foundational Self that works better for your worldview.

AEDP, Attachment, Relational Healing

AEDP (Accelerated Experiental Dynamic Psychotherapy) at its core is about seeing people for who they really are from the beginning. Every single person at their core is incredibly resourceful, remarkable, loving, creative, and confident about their own particular magic to offer the world. You might be really detached from this core Self. That’s where most folks start.

I have my “true You” goggles on from the beginning, and I bring you back to this, time and time again. Built up around the core You is three layers:

Layer one: Defenses: addictions, intellectualizing, dissociating, talking superfluously, hopelessness, helplessness, avoidance, over-working, defensiveness. And so on. We help you gain clarity for what basic need these defenses are meeting: safety, connection, etc. and help them to not have to work so hard. They have pretty significant side effects, which I’m sure you know.

Layer two: Inhibitory affect. This is anxiety, shame, and guilt. Things that say Oh shit, layer three is near. Don’t go near it. It’s not safe. We work to help you feel safe here for as long as needed. I’m right here with you.

Layer three: Core affect. Joy, Disgust, Surprise, Fear, Anger, or Sadness. Sensitive people with attachment trauma learn on a cellular level that it is not safe to feel these things. When the first two layers are addressed, we feel core affect to completion and oh my God it feels so good! Here is where you will feel the relief that you have been waiting for.

After fully feeling core affect, this true Self just spontaneously emerges. It’s really fucking cool. It takes a lot of time, patience, and trust-building. I’m here for you for all of it.

Somatic Internal Family Systems

Internal Family Systems or “IFS” or “parts work” has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. Before I received advanced training in relational attachment trauma healing via AEDP, IFS, along with several somatic schools of thought, was my foundation. They all weave together really nicely.

Somatics is about being in sync with our bodies as they are. It is about being aware, present with, and responsive to the signals that our bodies are giving us. When we are in resonant relationship with our bodies, we are more able to ask for our needs, be in fulfilling relationships, and be centered in our purpose. An embodied life is a life well-lived. I know for those with trauma histories and sensitivity the body can be a really scary place. I can help with that at the pace that’s just right for you.

IFS is based on the idea that we are all made up of different subpersonalities, or “parts” that have different experiences, desires, emotions, and agendas. When our parts are not in harmony, life can be really hard. I can help you get to know your parts from core You and from doing so, support more of a sense internal peace and authenticity.

But wait: a note about late stage capitalism.

I believe that you “doing your work” is inherently political and is an incredibly important step in moving towards a more loving and just world. I also believe that engaging in a politicized healing arc is how you access a lot more agency in the context of a sociopolitical system consistently attempting to minimize/eliminate your access to agency.

I am deeply aware of the traumatic nature of living in the systems of racialized capitalism. Every experience we go through in life is shrouded by these systems, and they inevitably influence all walks of life, including our personal and interpersonal trauma. I recognize that therapy is just a small microcosm of the larger change needed in our world to address the origins of trauma.

In therapy together, we get to talk about all of these things. Your experiences with racism, transphobia, gender-based violence, classism and ableism will be met with love, curiosity, and a shared desire for justice.

I recognize my privilege in this world as a white, masc-looking, often cis-passing individual and approach clients with less privilege in these areas with a lot of humility. My lived experience of queerness, gender-expansiveness, chronic disability, as well as my working-class upbringing means that I can offer you some level of “getting it” around these identities, but I will not pretend to fully understand your individual experience. I recognize your story is unique and start with no assumptions.

My Specialties

Embodied Trauma Healing

If your childhood or later developmental years have left you with lasting wounds, then I have something meaningful to offer you. Trauma work is the cornerstone of my practice; it’s where I find the most fulfillment, and where I have the most to offer. I intimately understand that these wounds can have remarkable and heartbreaking impacts on your life. I am here to support you heal into a new relationship with yourself, your suffering, your dreams, and the world around you.

Most of my professional experience is with complex PTSD, chronic developmental trauma, and chronic childhood emotional neglect, but I do also work with folks around one-time acute traumas and PTSD.

LGBTQIAA+ and Polyamorous Affirming Care

Queerness is brilliance. I’m here to hear about your experiences with not fitting into many of the pre-conceived boxes around us - the pain, the joy, the confusion, and all of the rest that comes with queerness and gender expansiveness. I support folks with gender and sexuality identity exploration. I’m not currently writing gender-affirming surgery letters but please write to me if you do need a referral.

I’m very familiar with the nuances of non-monogamy from personal and professional standpoints. I’ll be able to support you with whatever complex challenges you’re facing in your relationship structures.

Highly Sensitive People/Neurodivergence

If you are a tender heart who feels the world deeply, I want to work with you. From my own experience, I understand the profound challenges that can come from a world that is over-stimulating and “too much.” For those of us that have experienced trauma in a sensitive body-mind, the pain and the healing can feel even more overwhelming. I’m here for you at every step.

I’m also passionate about supporting folks with any flavor of neurodivergence. HSP traits intersect a lot with autism and ADHD and many of the challenges quite similar.

Political Organizers and Change-Makers

I recognize the life-changing work that is happening all around us. For those contributing to liberation through organizing, art, or other change-making work, trauma, burnout, or in-group conflict can be debilitating. I have a deep passion for supporting those who do social change work to mend their relationships with themselves and others.

Chronic Illness/Pain

As a longtime spoonie, I’ve gone through the initial periods of shock, denial, and anger, grieved endlessly, and learned a lot about acceptance and accommodation. For some folks, things like chronic fatigue, illness, and pain can be the result of stored trauma, and trauma work over time can ameliorate (or even eliminate, in some cases) these symptoms. But whether or not illness is temporary or lifelong for you, I believe the dharma of those with this path is to realize and embody the nobility of chronic illness. We deserve to be recognized and celebrated extensively. That starts with ourselves. My philosophy with this work is based on self-acceptance, externalizing internalized ableism, and finding meaning in an ill life.

Psychedelic Preparation and Integration

I believe deeply in the wisdom that entheogenic medicine has to offer us in this life. There are few tools we have available to us that are more potent than these medicines, especially when it comes to our healing. I have much experience supporting folks throughout these experiences in a way that allows for more meaning-making and impactful integration.

Pricing and Fees

I am considered an “out of network” provider for all insurance companies. I can produce a superbill for you that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. I cannot guarantee what you might be reimbursed, so please make sure to check with your insurance company to confirm what your out of network benefits are.

If you have reliable out of network benefits, I highly encourage you to consider choosing a higher price than you might otherwise consider. It supports those without these benefits who are not eligible for any reimbursement.

I use a three-tiered system for pricing based on your financial situation. I ask that you please choose the bracket that best represents your life situation and what you are able to pay to make ongoing therapy sustainable for you. Please be in touch with any questions.

This model is based off of the Green Bottle Method. Please see here if you’d like to read more about it.

You can read about the No Surprises Act here. You are entitled to a good faith estimate around how much one year’s worth of our work will cost you.

Living in Financial Abundance

$250 or more*

*If you have the means to pay more than this rate, your contribution directly subsidizes someone’s care in the “Financial Scarcity” bottle. It allows me to work with more folks in need at a lesser rate.

  • Financially, I can comfortably meet all my basic needs (food, housing, & transportation); any stress I feel about finances is never about meeting my basic needs

  • Any debt I carry doesn’t keep me from meeting basic needs

  • I am stably employed, or I am a stay-at-home caregiver not seeking to work outside the home while my partner is stably employed, or I don’t need to work to meet my needs

  • I own or rent a home that is comfortable and spacious, with modern conveniences

  • I own or lease my car, and can get a new car every few years if I want to

  • I have access to healthcare whenever I need it

  • I have access to savings and can tap it when I need to

  • I can always buy new items if I want to

  • I generally have discretionary income and can treat myself to indulgences when I want to

  • I’m usually able to buy higher-end items if I prefer to

Living in Financial Stability

$200

  • Financially, I regularly meet all my basic needs (food, housing transportation); any stress I feel about finances isn’t usually about meeting my basic needs

  • Any debt I carry doesn’t keep me from meeting basic needs

  • I am stably employed, or I am a stay-at-home caregiver not seeking to work outside the home while my partner is stably employed

  • I own or rent a home that is comfortable and spacious enough, with modern conveniences

  • I own or lease a car and can afford gas, or I am car-free by choice

  • I usually have access to healthcare when I need it

  • I might have access to some savings I can tap when I am low on funds

  • I can usually buy new items, though sometimes I need to plan ahead

  • I have discretionary income sometimes; I can treat myself to a few indulgences every month

  • I can take a vacation every year or two if I plan ahead

Living in Financial Scarcity (waitlist)

Varies - Let’s talk!

  • Financially, I often have stress about meeting my basic needs (food, housing, & transportation), and can’t always meet them

  • I might have debt, which sometimes keeps me from meeting basic needs

  • I am unemployed, underemployed, or usually worried about my income or my job’s stability

  • My home lacks space/comfort or modern conveniences, or my housing is unstable

  • I don’t have a car (not by choice), or I have limited access to a car but I can’t always afford gas

  • I don’t always have access to the healthcare I need

  • I don’t have savings I can tap when I am low on funds

  • I rarely buy new items

  • I don’t generally have discretionary income to treat myself to indulgences (new clothes, a movie, etc.)

  • I can’t usually afford vacations

  • Taking time off is a financial burden or jeopardizes my job

  • I qualify for some form of public assistance

Be in touch :)

If you’re interested in working together, please write to me and I’ll be happy to connect with for a video consult. Looking forward to hearing from you!