I truly believe that we can all Change.
More specifically, I believe that you are resilient and capable of stepping into the life you were born to live — the life you desire. I believe that you can change learned habits and heal from past experiences, wounds, and trauma.
I’ve seen clients heal immense wounds time and again and move into thriving. They often say, “it’s not that I’ve forgotten what happened, it’s like the memory has moved away from me and is in the distance now.” I have also personally experienced the profound healing of the modalities I now offer to clients.
I know how vulnerable it is to begin therapy. My goal is that each person who sits across from me is heard, held, and healed.
My Path
Over the past 25 years I’ve been honored to work with a diverse range of clients to reach their goals. My career path began in 1989 when I worked as a case manager in community mental health. My clients were adolescents and parents ordered into therapy by the court system. I then transitioned into school counseling and school psychology, where I worked as a special education evaluator and behavior specialist for 25 years. I served in diverse settings including alternative high schools, language immersion schools, gifted programs, and an international school. I did extensive work supporting neurodiverse individuals as they learned to interface with school, work and relationships. I now provide individual therapy and EMDR Intensives from my private practice in Woodinville, WA.
I’m now focusing on healing the effects of trauma and helping to change old, unhelpful patterns. I’ve learned that in order to do this, we need to focus on how you have stored your past experiences. During critical, or life threatening experiences, we go into survival mode. We don’t think, we react the best we can in the moment. If things happen to us when we are young, it is even more impactful because we don’t understand the world around us as an adult does. Regardless of age, memories of these events are not fully processed and are stored in the brain in isolation, away from our adaptive, healthy networks. These unprocessed memories cause our current suffering and troubling symptoms. They can be triggered by something similar in the present and cause you to react as if it is the same as something in your past.
Hands in the Dirt
When I’m not with a client, my hands are in the dirt… or whatever else needs doing around our little urban farm in Woodinville WA.
I’ve been married 23 years, and am the proud mom of two amazing grown children. I’m also the honored caretaker of 3 alpacas, 11 chickens and 2 dogs.
I receive immense joy from working in the soil and nurturing the plants and animals and humans at our farm. It can get pretty messy here, but such is life.
I am also a devoted crafter. I love to incorporate plants and flowers from nature into my paint and mixed medium projects. If you work with me, you will have the chance to incorporate art into your therapy if you would like.
Education & Certifications
EMDRIA — EMDR Certified (EMDRIA)
State of Washington Licensed Mental Health Counselor — (LH61090649)-2020
Western Governors University Endorsement — Educational Leadership (School Principal Certification)-2016
Seattle University — Educational Specialist (Ed.S) School Psychologist-1998 | Master of Arts (MA), School Counselor-1998
Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health — Child Mental Health Specialist-1991
Central Washington University — Bachelor of Arts (BA), Developmental Psychology-1989
Professional Memberships
- EMDR International Association – EMDRIA
- National Board for Certified Counselors
- Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis – SCEH
- National Association of School Psychologists
Publications
- “Resource Guide for Parents of Students with Disabilities: Understanding ADA, Section 504, IDEA and IEP.” Community for Online Schools, March 2018. Find the guide here.
- Sarin, K (February 2015). Adapt individual health plan process to meet Section 504 requirements. LRP, Special Ed Connection.
- “How to Gather Information for 504 Eligibility.” LRP Publications, October 2014.
- Feuerborn, L., Sarin, K., & Tyre, A. (April 2011). RTI in secondary schools: Implications for professional development. Principal Leadership, 50-54.
Events & Trainings by Kathy Sarin
May 9, 2022
Northwest College, PsyD in Counseling Psychology Program
Functional Behavior Analysis: Useful assessments for determining the function of behavior at the individual, family, classroom and school level. Behavior pathways case study.
May 17, 2021
Northwest College, PsyD in Counseling Psychology Program
Functional Behavior Analysis: Useful assessment for determining the function of behavior including checklists, observations, interviews, team protocols and standardized scales.
May 16, 2019 | 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Ryther Aspiring Youth Speaker Series, Seattle WA
Executive Function Difficulties. Strategies, ideas, and developing helpful habits through routines.
March 26, 2018 | 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Everett School District Special Education PTSA
Understanding your child’s evaluation, and the impact of executive functioning
deficits on school performance.
May 3, 2018 | 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Ryther Aspiring Youth Speaker Series, Seattle WA
Helping your kiddo with homework, arrgh! Strategies, ideas, and venting.
May 21, 2018 | 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Northwest College, Kirkland WA
A behavior case study: The impact of specific mental health issues on school functioning.
August 20, 2018 | Full Day training
Eastmont School District, Wenatchee WA
Executive Functioning in the classroom. How to teach, scaffold and support students with ADHD and high functioning autism in the classroom
September 24, 2018 | 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Bothell Public Library – a free offering!
Gifted and unique: Navigating the adolescent years.
October 3, 2018 | 6:30 – 7:30
Annie Wright Schools, Tacoma WA
Homework Survival Strategies: The developmental continuum of homework independence how much should parents help?
November 5, 2018 | 7:00 – 9:00 pm
2e Seattle, Cascadia Elementary School
Twice exceptional students: special issues in executive functioning, perfectionism and mental health – How parents and schools can help.
Other professional activities
June 2017 – Co-facilitator: social emotional learning curriculum adoption committee for Edmonds School District culminating in recommendations to the school board.
May 2017 – Guest Lecturer: Northwest University – Behavior Consultation in the Schools
March 2015 – Guest lecturer: Northwest University – School Assessment.
October 2014 – Panelist: WAFEAST Annual Conference “504/ADA: School Food Allergy Management.”
October 2012 – Presenter: Seattle Children’s Hospital – “Collaborating for Effective Health Planning-Implementing 504 Support for Students with Special Health Care Needs.”
February 2010 – Guest Lecturer: University of Washington, Tacoma – Collaboration with parents and other professionals, issues and challenges
July 2009 – Guest Lecturer: University of Washington, Tacoma – Understanding and interpretation of standard scores.
February 2008 – Panel Member: Seattle University – Perspectives on current issues in School Psychology.