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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!).
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 Zandi's 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 leading the Art Therapy program at the Swedish Cancer Institute (Swedish Cancer Institute (watch Zandi talk about Art Therapy at the SCI), offering individual Art Therapy and Groups for adults.
In 2018 Zandi founded Inspired LIFE Therapy, inspiring and developing mind, body, & spirit health in adults of all genders.
As of 2023, Zandi is now back at SCI, and splits her time between SCI and running Inspired Life Therapy.
Outside of providing therapy and running programs, 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 facing 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
- LGBTQIA2+ concerns
- 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
- LGBTQIA2+ concerns
- Life transitions and adjustment
- Nutritional Psychiatry & Orthomolecular interventions for mental health
Maryssa Beare (any pronouns), Licensed Therapy Associate, Art Therapist & Sex Therapist
Maryssa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (under the supervision of Zandi Salstrom, ATR-BC, LMHC, LCPC), an Art Therapist, and Sex Therapist. They hold a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy, as well as a certificate in Sex Therapy from Antioch University Seattle. Maryssa also earned both a BA in Fine Arts & Studio Arts, along with a BS in Psychology from Washington State University.
Maryssa found the field of Art Therapy by accident…Despite enjoying art, they had questions such as “How is putting color on paper supposed to help my feelings?” and “Drawing can be annoying so how’s it gonna make me feel better?” Through their own art-making, study and therapy, they came to learn that Art Therapy brings out what people often know intrinsically: art is healing. People may come home from a stressful day at work and choose to engage with theatrical arts (movies, television); people may use visual arts for emotional regulation or focus (doodling in meetings or class); people may share multimedia arts with people they love (music playlists, photos or poems); people engage in martial arts (catharsis, moving the body). Art brings people together. Art connects us to each other and the world around us. Art helps us understand oursevles better, and it helps us heal. There is myriad ways that one can feel the positive effects of art. As an Art Therapist, Maryssa supports clients identifying and expressing their own styles and voices, whether they identify as an artist or not!
Like many others, Maryssa also grew up in an environment where sex education, identity, and pleasure were not honored, let alone talked about. However, sex is everywhere–advertisements, media, culture, and of course our own bodies. Having a place to find, explore, and celebrate all aspects of identity is a crucial aspect of growth and healing. Sex Therapy involves looking at how sex, intimacy, attachment, and affection have a place in one’s life. As Sex Therapist, Maryssa is trained to look at how these factors affect clients’ sexuality and therefore mental, emotional, and psychological health, as well as quality of life.
Personal:
Some of Maryssa’s personal interests include painting, plant parenting, making a ridiculous number of music playlists, and martial arts. They love blueberry pastries, but dislike the texture of blueberries.
Maryssa specializes in working with folx around experiences related to:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Emotional regulation/expression
- Family systems
- Identity work
- Interoception/body awareness
- LGBTQIA2+ concerns
- Life transitions
- Loss and grief
- Military-affiliation
- Relationship dynamics (those in partnered relationships (monogamy, non-monogamy, polyamory, etc.),
- Sexual health and concerns (sex education, familial influences and messaging, policies, health and pain, gender, intimacy and affection, birth and pregnancy experiences, and trauma)
- Spiritual and existential concerns
- Trauma
Cecille "CC" Alexander (She/They), Licensed Counselor & Art Therapist
CC offers Art Therapy, Psychotherapy & EMDR. She takes pride in providing meaningful & culturally responsive mental health care for BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ in Washington State.
Growing up, CC struggled for many years to find a therapist who intimately understood how her intersecting identities contextualized her experiences. As a 3rd generation mixed Asian American (of Korean/Filipino/white ancestry), highly sensitive, queer femme, the question of how to navigate life in the duality and the in-between has perpetually challenged and inspired CC throughout their life. Today, CC is passionate about supporting clients of marginalized gender, sexuality and racial identities, who are exploring their truths related to culture, race, generation, queerness and spirituality. It is CC’s sincere hope to explore the important intersection of personal transformation and social change with their clients.
CC holds a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Art Therapy from Antioch University Seattle, both a CAAHEP & CACREP-accredited institution. Additionally, she is trained in EMDR Therapy with an Expressive Arts Therapy focus from The Institute for Creative Mindfulness. CC has had the privilege of working in a variety of settings, including a community mental health agency whose mission centered on providing affirming care to the Seattle queer and trans communities. They have served across the developmental lifespan with preschoolers, refugee youth, and elders celebrating work in anti-bias education, social emotional learning and community-based Art Therapy.
Outside of providing therapy, CC is committed to their own creative, mental, emotional, somatic and spiritual growth, and is continually exploring new forms of expression and healing. In their daily life, she practices yoga, backpacks through the beautiful PNW, supports local live music and is a creative being who dabbles in many mediums, including photography, filmmaking, painting, drawing, and creative writing. Some of their special interests include astrology, sustainability, punk rock, sci-fi writing and horror films.
CC specializes in working with folx around experiences related to:
- Attachment issues
- Complex trauma (C-PTSD) & post traumatic growth
- Culturally sensitive counseling for Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders (1.5, 2nd, 3rd+ generations)
- Grief & loss
- Intergenerational trauma
- Internalized oppression
- LGBTQIA2+ concerns
- Mixed race, bicultural & third cultural identity exploration
- Overwhelm related to social media, climate crisis, social upheaval, etc.
- Recovering people pleasers & perfectionists
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
Community Partners, Donors & Sponsor
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