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Meet Sofiya Ko
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LH.61323577) 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.
professional Qualifications
Methods &
Approach
Training & Certifications
Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State #61323577 Washington State Approved Supervisor Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (International Expressive Arts Therapy Association) Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Specialization in Expressive Arts Therapy. Lesley University (2020) Bachelor of Arts in Economics- Specialization in International Development. Seattle University (2014) Member: Washington Mental -Health Counselor's Association, The International Expressive Arts Therapy Association, Shelterwood Collective Facilitator: Northwest Creative and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute, Shelterwood Collective, Cascadia Continuing Education
- Expressive Arts Therapy - Relational Psychotherapy - CBT - Somatic Experiencing - Polyvagal Theory - Parts Work - Attachment-Based Therapy - EMDR (training in progress) - Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (training in progress)
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) Safe and Sound: How Your Voice Can Contribute to Healing Trauma (Stephen Porges, PhD) Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory (Stephen Porges, PhD) The Neurobiology of Healing Relationships (Terry Real,  LICSW & Juliane Shore,  LMFT, LPC, SEP) 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) The Body as Healer: Working from the Bottom Up (Peter Levine,  PhD)
How I Empower You
Customized fit
I weave in multiple therapeutic modalities to find the best fit for you: Expressive Arts, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Informed Care, Mindfulness and Relational Therapy.
Helpful tools
We won't just talk about your 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
Growing up in Ukraine, I watched my family members battle economic, political, and mental health barriers. When I immigrated to America, I decided it was my job to rescue our family lineage through career success. I rushed through high school and college in six years with straight A's, chasing the dream of financial freedom.
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, I no longer had any 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
How i like to
spend my time
my favorite
things
I’m a bisexual cis female I’m a first generation immigrant I’m a trauma and abuse survivor 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- now I'm spiritual I’m a wife, a sister, and cat mom!
- drawing & painting - dancing, laughing, crying - camping & hiking - geeking out over gardening - cooking up a new recipe - trying to knit *YET AGAIN* - working on a memoir!
- snuggling my two kitties - a rainy day with a good book - squishy hugs from loved ones - the smell of the ocean air - the burn of a hard workout - going to bed at 9pm
