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Meet Sofiya Ko

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Approved Clinical Supervisor in the state of Washington. I'm also a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) trained in Somatic & Trauma-Informed approaches. I provide virtual and in person therapy in Seattle, WA.

who I am as A Counselor

The way I show up with my clients is the same way I show up in the outside world: I am warm, talkative, and goofy, but I'll also get us down to business. My therapy approach is collaborative, so that some sessions you'll bring the content, and other times I'll guide us in activities and reflection based on your overall therapy goals.

Because trauma work can be serious, in some moments I will hold tender space, listen with curiosity and validate how hard it can feel to human while parenting.

On days when being a parent is laughable, we will crack jokes, holler and marvel at how life borders on the ridiculous. Because even as emotions run high, milk has found its way onto every surface, and the whole house is five minutes away from a tantrum... 

you're doing the damn thing.

Sofiya Ko sits on a white couch in front of a colorful mural while laughing withe a client who is seen in the foreground

professional Qualifications

  • LMHC and Approved Clinical Supervisor in Washington State LH#61323577

  • Registered Expressive Arts Therapist #2166

  • M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Expressive Arts Therapy. Lesley University (2020)

  • B.A. in Economics and International Development. Seattle University (2014)

  • Participating Member: Washington Mental Health Counselor's Association, The International Expressive Arts Therapy Association and Shelterwood Collective​

Specialized Training

  • EMDR Basic Training (Trauma Therapist Institute)

  • Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care (Postpartum Support International) 

  • Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy (Postpartum Support International) 

  • Clinical Supervision Training (Eric Stromm, PhD, LMHC, Attorney)

  • Polyvagal Theory Informed−Trauma Assessment and Interventions (Deb Dana, LCSW)

  • Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory (Stephen Porges, PhD)

  • The Misattuned Family: Techniques for Healing Attachment Trauma (Dafna Lender,  LCSW)

  • Treating Collective Trauma with Hokomi (Manuela Mischke-Reeds, MA, LMFT, CHT)

  • Racial Trauma Assessment and Treatment Techniques (Monnica Williams, PhD, ABPP)

  • Bringing the Body into Therapy: Clinical Tools from Somatic Experiencing (Abi Blakeslee,  PhD, MFT, CMT, SEP)

  • ... and more!

Sofiya Ko sits across from a client as they both playfull toss scraps of paper into the air while laughing
The ocean is peaceful and still on a clear blue sky day

How I Empower You

Customized fit

I weave in multiple modalities to find the best fit for you: Expressive Arts Therapy, Somatic Therapy, EMDR , Mindfulness, Relational work and more!

Helpful tools

We won't just talk about challenges- my approach focuses on making insights actionable! Expect to get visual aids, worksheets, and techniques for support outside of our sessions.

A focus on JOy

Trauma is already heavy. Therapy doesn't have to be! I absolutely love working with my clients and make it my mission to bring light-hearted energy and humor into our time together.

who i am as A Person

Sofiya Ko is walking down a cobblestone street with her hands in the air while smiling

Growing up in Ukraine, navigating economic, political, and mental health barriers were expected parts of life. When I immigrated to America, I decided I would rescue our family lineage through financial success. I rushed through high school and college in six years with straight A's, chasing the dream of financial security.

 

I'd inherited so much resilience from my ancestors: people pleasing, self-criticism and the ability to push myself to the limit were once vital tools for survival. But over time the consequences stacked up: in 2011, I found myself in the back of an ambulance after yet another debilitating panic attack. Did I stop? Nope. Two years later, my body took the reigns causing unbearable muscle aches, full body rashes, and digestive illness. "Um hi," it said,"you're gonna SLOW DOWN now."

 

I finally caved, took a leave of absence and went to therapy. The first two years of healing were rough, but eventually, I accepted that I’d been in fight or flight for so long that I no longer had a clue what I was running toward. It took ten years of processing trauma to find calm in my body, but I now know that I am worthy of a joyfilled, peaceful life —work that I've found crucial for my own parenting journey. 

Identities we may share

  • I’m a bisexual cis female married to a cis man

  • I’m a first generation Ukrainian immigrant

  • I thrive despite anxiety, depression and CPTSD

  • I was a first generation college student

  • I’ve grieved many losses, including a parent and a pregnancy

  • I grew up religious and now identify as spiritual

  • I’m a wife, a sibling, and cat mom

How I spend my time

  • drawing & painting

  • dancing, laughing, and being silly

  • camping & hiking

  • geeking out over gardening 

  • cooking up a new recipe

  • trying to knit *YET AGAIN*

  • working on either my memoir or science fiction project!

A breathtaking meadow is filled with orange and yellow flowers

Are you ready to thrive?

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