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Board & Staff
Zandi Salstrom (she/her), Art Therapist, Licensed Counselor, & Founder/President
Zandi is an Art Therapist who believes everyone is born with the healing power of creativity (yes, even you!), and who provides individual art therapy and clinical supervision.
Zandi is a Seattle native, and was born into a family that thrived on creativity and self-reliance. Her mother showed her love through art; from dollmaking to drawing, they shared the language of creativity. When Zandi was 8, her mother died from metastatic breast cancer, and her world collapsed. She felt abandoned and alone. Through her teens and twenties, she faced numerous emotional challenges, and relied on art for her own grieving and healing process. Additionally, she encountered issues with life-threatening food allergies, body acceptance, fertility, coming out as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and a variety of other human experiences. Through the gift of her own therapy, Zandi learned that we all need someone outside of ourselves at times to act as a guide, teacher, and cheerleader. As a result of these life experiences, in combination with intuition, empathy and an innate sense of wanting to help her fellow humans, Zandi has dedicated her professional life to guiding others through their own dark times. She pursued clinical coursework at Bastyr University and Antioch University Seattle, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Psychology and a dual Master’s Degree in Psychology and Art Therapy. Today, Zandi thrives on helping clients uncover their own healing abilities, and helping new therapists achieve their career goals through professional supervision, mentoring, and consulting.
Zandi is a Nationally Board-Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC, state of WA), and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC, state of NV). She’s had the privilege of working with clients of all ages; from children whose families were facing cancer at Cancer Pathways (formerly Gilda's Club Seattle), to adults with cancer who were seeking support at Cancer Lifeline, to seniors experiencing dementia and associated challenges of advanced age at Kline Galland Home. For 6 years Zandi worked as an Art Therapist at the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC), where she and her team of clinical interns facilitated Art Therapy groups and bedside Art Therapy sessions for patients and families. Zandi then spent 2 years running the Art Therapy program at the Swedish Cancer Institute (watch Zandi talk about Art Therapy at the Swedish Cancer Institute), offering individual Art Therapy and Groups for adults.
In 2012, Zandi founded Seattle Expressive Arts Therapy (SEAT) to offer a creative mind-body approach to counseling for women and girls, and after a big move to Nevada in the Fall of 2018, she founded Inspired Art Therapy.
In 2020, Inspired Art Therapy was upgraded to Inspired LIFE Therapy, to offer even more options to adults of all genders, for inspiring and developing mind, body, & spirit health!
Outside of running Inspired Life Therapy, Zandi has taught in the Master's of Psychology and Art Therapy program at Antioch University in Seattle, guest-lectured on the topic of Art Therapy, in the Master’s of Nursing program at the University of Washington, and has been featured on New Day Northwest talking about the benefits of Art Therapy (watch Zandi talk about the benefits of Art Therapy). She was also an adviser and contributor to the therapeutic books and programs of Art with Heart, for many lovely years.
Zandi specializes in working with folx around experiences related to:
- Cancer (including diagnosis, treatment, fear of recurrence, and patients with terminal cancers)
- Chronic Illness (including autoimmune conditions and food allergies)
- Creativity development and blocks
- End of life counseling
- Existential exploration/Self exploration (looking at questions about illness, meaning, purpose, life, and death, and a variety of other aspects of being human)
- Family experiences/trauma related to family of origin
- Identity development
- LGBTQIA+ issues
- Life transitions and adjustment
- Medical trauma
- Spiritual inquiry
- Stress & Stress Management
Zandi also offers clinical supervision and consultation
Zoe Davis (she/her), Licensed Counselor and Board-Certified Nutritionist & Vice President
Zoe Davis is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC, WA state) and Nationally Board-Certified Nutritionist (CNS), who provides indvidual counseling and nutrition therapy.
Zoe has worked in holistic mental health clinics and integrative psychiatric practices over the last decade and has been honored to support clients through ‘edges’ in their lives that can manifest in emotional, psychological, or physical dis-ease; deserving of kind attention and care. She works internally and externally to be an active ally to her clients, from a variety of experiences and backgrounds. Zoe is committed to ongoing anti-racism and intrinsic bias work as a therapist, health care practitioner, and human.
As a lifelong dancer and choreographer, Zoe has a deep appreciation of the role of creativity and expression in mental health and soul-satisfaction. She emphasizes nourishment as a multi-layered portal to more optimal health and carries this perspective into her work with clients. This includes exploring biological nourishment, spiritual/creative nourishment, social/cultural nourishment, and emotional/psychological nourishment, as each can offer an important piece to feeling more deeply “well”.
Her interest in an integrative approach to mental health grew out of her experience growing up in a strict classical ballet school where she and many of her friends suffered significant harm to their psyches, which she saw manifest in depression, disordered eating behaviors, and anxiety. She realized that the psychological impacts of that kind of abusive environment could manifest in deteriorating physical health, and the restrictions on biological nourishment could also affect emotional health. Thus, Zoe’s understanding of the interconnectivity between psyche and body was permanently solidified.
Zoe attended Antioch University Seattle where she earned a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling, as well as the University of Western States in Portland where she earned a Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. Additionally, she holds certifications in Nutritional Psychology and Integrative Medicine for Mental Health and has completed post-graduate training in trauma, somatic therapy, mindfulness, implicit bias, and disordered eating.
Zoe’s unique combination of experience and education allows her to use a mind-body approach in a deeply unifying way and to recognize that the spectrum of human experience in these various realms can manifest in both physical and emotional symptoms simultaneously. When we recognize the unity of this experience as human, we can be empowered to build or remodel our lives more authentically. Using a caring, positive, self-embracing approach, Zoe encourages clients to hold a lens of curiosity instead of judgment towards themselves to more fully understand how to move forward in an honest, self-loving way.
Zoe specializes in working with folx around experiences related to:
- Career exploration
- Creativity development/re-learning
- Developmental 'edges' of life: young adulthood, parenthood, empty nesting, new relationships, ending relationships, choosing family, etc.
- Disordered eating behaviors, particularly overeating/using food for mood support
- Family experiences/trauma related to family of origin
- Health counseling (general wellness and disease-specific)
- Identity development
- LGBTQIA+ issues
- Life transitions and adjustment
- Nutritional Psychiatry & Orthomolecular interventions for mental health
Bonnie Walchuk (she/her), Art Therapist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Bonnie is an Art Therapist who deeply honors the story of each individual and offers creative tools to help clients reflect and process their experiences.
She was raised on a ranch in a small community on a Native Reservation in Montana where she learned about living with integrity and heart. From a young age Bonnie found support through connection, art and the natural world. She was strongly influenced by generations of hard workers who had to dig deep to face life’s challenges. Bonnie credits her childhood and personal experiences of loss, disparity, and hardship with her ongoing values for helping others grow, work through pain, and facilitate difficult conversations. In her adult life, Bonnie set-off to explore the world, and to expand her worldview beyond rural Montana. These experiences lead her to recognize the global importance of connection and creativity to deepen understanding, expand self-awareness, and persevere with grace and grit. Today, she invites her clients to explore these human qualities as ingredients for life satisfaction.
Bonnie’s personal and professional experiences have shaped her mission to deeply honor and respect every person’s story. Leading with integrity and human kindness, Bonnie meets people where they are and provides individualized interventions with a safe, non-judgmental approach. Her curiosity for human resilience led her to study Psychology, Counseling, and Art Therapy. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, with a minor in Sociology from Carroll College in Helena, Montana, as well as a dual Master’s Degree from Antioch University Seattle in Couples and Family Therapy and Art Therapy. She achieved a post-graduate certification in Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) by Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, and holds a certificate in grief counseling.
Bonnie is a nationally Board-Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Washington state. She has over six years of experience in the medical setting, supporting patients and their families through some of the most difficult times in their lives. For over two years, Bonnie facilitated individual and group Art Therapy for adults and families at the University of Washington Medical Center. She then ran the Art Therapy Program at Swedish Cancer Institute for nearly 4.5 years, providing individual and group Art Therapy for adults and families, and supervising clinical interns.
In addition to her clinical work, Bonnie has given numerous presentations and workshops on Medical and Oncology Art Therapy for community organizations and graduate programs. She has conducted research on Art Therapy Supporting Small Communities’ Post-Natural Disaster, and supervised the research of clinical interns on the topic of Telehealth Art Therapy Groups in Oncology Care. Bonnie is also the President and Founder of 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Dream Big Wellness where she steadfastly serves a community mission to increase access to Art Therapy and integrative care.
Bonnie specializes in working with folx around experiences related to:
- Cancer (including diagnosis, treatment, fear of recurrence, and patients with terminal cancers)
- End of life counseling
- Existential exploration
- Grief, loss and bereavement
- Identity development
- International transitions experienced by globally mobile populations
- Life transitions and adjustment
- Medical trauma
Katie Kapugi (she/her), Art Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Katie Kapugi is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington state (LMHC) and a nationally registered Art Therapist (ATR).
Katie was raised by two professional artists who surrounded her with art materials, nature, and books throughout her childhood. Art as a form of healing has been handed down generationally: her grandmother worked creatively with neurodivergent students, her mother worked with at risk youth teaching art, her father used art as a form of political activism, and her aunt worked for the Arts in Medicine program in Florida.
From an early age she utilized the power of creativity to process her own life experiences. In an isolated, off the grid, homeschooled, self-subsistence life-style Katie developed the skills of deep listening, deep connection to nature, and a reliance on creativity to express the depth of her own emotional complexities.
She was deeply shaped by her maternal family’s lineage of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis aka Lou Gehrig's disease). In the process of watching her mother, uncle, aunt, and granny living and dying with the illness, she was able to see the importance of art making as a form of expression of all iterations of physical ability. Her mother made art even when the only control she had over her body was a twitch in her finger, and her aunt continues to make art with her feet.
As a result of these experiences, and the confluence of her own innate intuition, creativity, empathy, and compassion (and a whole lot of mentorship and personal work with her own therapists), Katie found Art Therapy and Counseling to be a natural fit, and a passionate calling.
Katie has an ongoing dedication to examining herself as a therapist, in order to spot biases, and to continue to strengthen the quality of her care. She is dedicated to exploring and breaking down internal and external oppressive narratives, particularly those that limit equity and accessibility.
Katie specializes in Mindfulness based therapies, relaxation strategies (with training in biofeedback, polyvagal theory, breath work, and autonomic nervous system regulation), trauma informed care, and art therapy. She draws from a wealth of theoretical knowledge, and heart, to serve the best interest of those she works with.
Katie caters her approach and treatment plan to each client’s particular needs (this may or may not include art therapy—though she believes everyone can benefit from the power of creative expression). and she believes each individual has their own sets of strengths invaluable to personal growth, healing, and internal exploration.
She has had the privilege to work in a variety of non-profit settings with people of all ages. Katie has worked in homeless shelters, long term care facilities, hospital settings, outpatient community mental health, international work, and School based mental health clinics.
She has worked extensively with client’s facing co-occurring medical and mental health issues, anxiety, panic attack disorder, CPTSD, grief and loss, relationship work, body-based trauma, identity and lifestyle transition, chronic illness and chronic pain.
In her free time Katie enjoys making art of all kinds, writing, reading, hiking in the mountains, paddling on the water, and spending time with her son.
Katie specializes in working with folx around experiences related to:
- Adverse childhood experiences
- Anxiety related disorders
- Chronic illness
- Chronic pain
- Complex trauma
- Existential exploration
- Identity development
- Life changes and transitions
Holly Brewer (she/her), Drama Therapist, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and EMDR Therapist
Holly Brewer is a Registered Drama Therapist, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and EMDR Therapist.
She spent many years working in performance art and acting, and earned a B.F.A from Cornish College of the Arts. Through the arts, Holly realized she was healing and processing her own childhood trauma. With this discovery, she decided she wanted to help other people heal, and although she loved her life as an artist, there was something missing in her connection to the community.
Holly discovered the field of Drama Therapy and pursued her dual Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Drama Therapy from Antioch University Seattle. She has since become certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and incorporates EMDR with artistic approaches to healing and growth. In addition, Holly is a Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, and has completed Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, as well as undergone intensive training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Holly continues to pursue development as a therapist through training, seminars, personal psychotherapy, and professional consultation. She is a professional member of the EMDR international association (EMDRIA), International mindfulness teachers’ association, Washington Mental Health Counselors Association, and North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA). Holly is also a Washington State Approved supervisor, and EMDRIA approved EMDR Therapist and Consultant, as well as a Facilitator in EMDR with Humanitarian Assistance Program.
Over the years, Holly has worked in community mental health and private practice. She has a strong interest in artistic forms of social justice and systematic change, and she offers EMDR with a specialization in Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Holly specializes in working with folx around experiences related to:
- Anxiety
- Childhood abuse (adult survivors)
- Complex PTSD
- Creative growth
- Depression
- Life transitions
- Mindfulness meditation training
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Systems of oppression, related stress, and trauma healing
Holly also offers clinical supervision and consultation and EMDR certification consultation
Mary Reitan (she/her), Secretary
Mary's info is coming soon!
Deverie Stephens (she/her), Board Member
Deveries's info is coming soon!
Sara Medlock (she/her), Board Member
Sara Medlock is a Domestic Executive based in her native Seattle, WA. She graduated from Bastyr University with a BS in Health Psychology and Counseling. From there she worked directly with seniors with the goal of improving independence, happiness and home life. She has traveled and studied with shaman in South America and Africa, with the hopes of continuing. A hospitality enthusiast, she worked in hotels focusing on events of all kinds. She later went to marry her experience of event planning and organization with senior care as a Life Enrichment Director. This also included mentoring new directors and assistants across the region and running a busy volunteer program. Sara is an active volunteer and donor for local charities and organizations focusing around women, children, homelessness, equity, and education, and she brings her talents and passion for helping others to the Board of Inspired Life Therapy. She enjoys her family, dancing, yoga, arts and crafts, baking and obscure pop references.
Medlock
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