Meet Sofiya
Welcome! My name is Sofiya Kostareva and I am
an Expressive Arts Therapist based in Seattle, WA.
The bio below is to help you understand my journey to becoming an expressive arts therapist. My most important identities are white, queer, cis-gendered female (she/her) , first generation Ukrainian-American immigrant, and multi-disciplinary artist.
Creative expression has been a refuge for my own self-inquiry and self-care. I was introduced to therapy my sophomore year of college to help manage severe anxiety and depression. This experience not only changed how I saw myself, but it also helped me own the stories of my life in an empowering and joyful way.
From then on, I've knew my life's work would be providing creativity focused therapy. Since 2016, I’ve been lucky to support exceptionally lovely humans of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and needs.
I completed my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Expressive Arts Therapy from Lesley University and have extensive training in somatic and trauma informed approaches to care. I’m also a Clinically Certified Trauma Professional and am eligible for certification as a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT). For the last three years I’ve focused on providing high quality therapy to adults in the state of Washington.
I’m humbled by the ability of art to help us see and feel the world through the eyes of another. My current creative practice involves writing down curious thoughts, strumming guitar, dancing in my living room, splashing paint against butcher paper and singing in the shower.
Photo Credit: Munoz Motions
What Sets Me Apart
