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Derek Alan Crain, MSW, LICSW, ACSW, DCSW

Clinical Director 

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), with a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Washington. Additionally, I have met the requirements and hold the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) credential as well as the Diplomate of Clinical Social Workers credential (DCSW). These are nationally recognized and a highly valued Social Work credentials demonstrating my time and dedication to the field of Clinical Social Work. I am also an Approved Supervisor for Social Workers and other Mental Health Professionals seeking licensure. 

 My Background

 I was born and raised in the Greater Los Angeles area in a Single Parent family home. I was raised by my hard working single mom who did everything she could to provide for my younger sister and I. As a family, we endured a lot of financial hardships and we lived in many economically impoverished areas such as Watts and East LA. I can remember at an early age watching my mother not only having to deal with feelings of poor self worth in a society that condemned broken marriages, but having to garner her inner-strength to battle her way through the California State Welfare system just to meet our basic needs with food stamps and low income housing. 

Although we didn’t have much, my sister and I are very fortunate to always have had a mother who provided us with an abundance of love and nurturing. She also continually reminded us that the only way we were going to have success in life was through education. She was right. In 1987, when I was 15 years old, I watched my mother walk across the graduate stage earning her RN degree when she was 32 years old. This very much inspired me and I went on to earn a double bachelors degree in Sociology and Criminology from California State University Northridge in 1995.

  
When I was younger I had no idea how much my life experiences would impact my career choice. So, in my early twenties I was drawn to working with ‘At Risk’ youth in probation type settings. I was quickly humbled by that hardened patient population, and my ideals of 'saving the world' diminished. But my drive to serve them did not, and I moved forward on my path to Clinical Social Work.  I spent the next 8 years working as a counselor with adolescents with mental health disorders in the Los Angeles and Seattle area. While working on my graduate degree, I worked with the acutely mentally ill at Fairfax Psychiatric hospital in Kirkland WA.

  In 2003, I earned my Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Washington, specializing in mental health and health care. It was then I began my career in the hospital setting providing complex case management and social services to the hospital patient population. I continued to pursue my dream of opening my own private practice and was licensed in 2007. I have spent the last four years building this dream, and now am so fortunate to serve my community as a mental health therapist and coach. I continue to enjoy working with acute and chronic mental illness, family therapy including adolescents with behavioral and impulse control issues, and a wide variety of other diagnoses and life barriers. I have a strong sense of who I am as a clinician, and my integrity and compassion shine through in all the work that I do. 

Derek Crain, LICSW Curriculum Vitae

Yurika Takemoto Gillum, MSW, LICSW

My passion is to see people empowered, restored and become the person they envision to be. This passion stems from my childhood growing up in Japan when the society discriminated the vulnerable. Having a sibling with a disability then caused many issues for my family such as discrimination, isolation, marital issues, bullying, multiple moves, constant fight with the school system and economic challenges. Your situation and experience are likely different from mine. However, I have compassion and respect for those who are going through difficult times in their lives and are seeking help to overcome them.

I earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Work at the University of Washington and a Master's degree in Social Work specializing in health care and mental health. Much of my working experience has been in hospital settings, including Evergreen Hospital, Providence Hospital and University of Washington Medical Center Emergency Department.  Through this experience, I have gained knowledge in disease processes and experience working with patients with chronic  illnesses and their families. I conduct psychiatric evaluations in acute emergency room and long-term outpatient settings.

I have also worked with children, youth and family by supporting and strengthening relationships and closing cultural, communication and relational gaps. When I worked in child welfare, my role was to support family reunification by facilitating therapeutic visitations, assessing children's needs, providing resources and empowering the parents.

I am here to support individuals, couples and families who are going through various mental health issues, family/relational issues, grief and loss, and other difficulties. I practice with knowledge and understanding in cultural and racial diversity and advocate for people of color, interracial couples and families. I also offer on-site social work and advocacy services in home, school, or community.

Yurika Takemoto Gillum Curriculum Vitae

See Yurika's ad in You Maga (Japanese)

Amanda Radtke, MA, LMFT

**not currently accepting new clients**

Seeking help for personal issues takes great courage.  I know this from personal experience.  I also know that choosing to improve ones life through therapy can be challenging, but ultimately one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.  As a therapist I have great respect for anyone going on this personal journey and treat all of my clients with dignity and compassion.  My goal is to provide a service to you by giving you the support and skills necessary to reach your goals and to improve your overall well-being.

Clinical Background 
   

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in both California and Washington State.  I have over ten years of experience treating clients.  My clinical training began by working in community based mental health clinics.  There I gained extensive experience working with children, adolescents and families dealing with behavior management, parenting, co-parenting and family conflict.  I also worked in elementary and middle schools counseling children and their parents, assessed and treated individuals, families, and groups in a juvenile sexual responsibility program, and provided therapy for Medical and Victims of Crime clients.  I also have a background in forensic counseling.  I have assessed and treated clients from both federal and state probation and parole.  Main treatment areas within the forensic population included relapse prevention work with sexual offenders and substance abuses.  In addition, I pursued additional education in the treatment of eating disorders by completing a certificate in the treatment of eating disorders from JFK University.  I used that knowledge base working at an intensive outpatient treatment program for eating disorders in San Francisco. There I assessed and treated adolescents and adults with eating disorders, and this is a strong area of interest of mine.  I will work closely with client’s families and help coordinate treatment planning with the entire interdisciplinary team including Physicians and Dieticians.

Amanda Radtke, LMFT Curriculum Vitae

Anne Grisham-Pleas, MC, LMHC, Addiction Specialist

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a Masters of Counseling Degree from Seattle University.  In addition, I received my Bachelors Degree in Psychology and my Certificate in Addiction Studies from Seattle University.  I have been working in the field of Chemical Dependency since 1991 and I have been dually certified in Chemical Dependency and Mental Health since 1999. 

My Background

I was raised in a single parent family system, which, much like the alcoholic family system was filled with times of uncertainty and instability. My Mother suffered from an untreated mental illness for most of her life, leaving myself and my two older brothers to raise ourselves from an early age. This family environment and lack of parental supervision created and contributed to an opportunity for me to fall into a pattern of addiction at an early age. Despite being raised in this unhealthy family system, I  developed a great sense of independence and resiliency, and have in turn adopted a survivor mentality. 

As a child working to survive my childhood I had no concept that any of those challenging and tumultuous experiences would lead to my future career decisions. My interest in working in the field of chemical dependency has naturally stemmed from my own recovery process. I have 26 years in recovery and I am grateful to have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to do my own work in therapy as well as continue to be involved in the 12 Step Program. It is from this process that I feel I have a profound understanding of the recovery process. I feel my own personal journey in my recovery has brought significant value to myself and my profession as a counselor.  

Clinical Experience

In addition to chemical dependency, my professional work has also included working as a Youth Shelter Counselor for adolescents and families; a Consultant to the Pain Committee at Northwest Hospital regarding chemical dependency and opiate dependence and tolerance with regard to surgical procedures and discharge planning; Farwest Family Services as a mental health therapist for individuals, couples and families; Treatment Director for Professional Health Associates, an outpatient chemical dependency agency. I am concurrently working as a Therapist at Assessment and Treatment Associates, which includes providing Mental Health Counseling, Family Law Chemical Dependency Evaluations, and Relapse Prevention individualized counseling. Most recently, I have held a long term position as the Relapse Prevention Counselor at Residence XII, an inpatient and outpatient treatment facility specifically for women. 

Another area of training I have focused on is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is closely tied to many addicted and dual diagnosis clients. I have found this is often this are the reason clients beginning their path to self medicating emotions, leading to dependency on alcohol and drugs. Trauma history for many clients is buried deep under many layers of containment and denial. Self medicating with alcohol and drugs seems like the solution for many. As clients gain momentum towards sobriety, the underlying trauma often surfaces and needs to be addressed in therapy in order to heal the individual and reduce the risk of the ongoing triggers for continued use of alcohol or drugs. 

I support individuals, couples and families struggling with active addiction and who may have pre-treatment needs or post-treatment counseling needs. I also work with individuals that need individualized relapse prevention skill building. In addition, I work with individuals and couples with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, grief and loss, as well as self esteem issues. My areas of specialty include co-occurring disorders, relapse prevention groups and individualized relapse prevention skill building, and Bipolar Disorder. 

Anne Grisham-Pleas, LMHC Curriculum Vitae

Cynthia Shaw, MSW, LICSW

As a 3rd generation Washingtonian born in the Puget Sound area, my sense of connection here runs deep. So does my commitment to serving this community. A natural helper, my path to becoming a therapist wasn't exactly typical. Raised by two therapists known as innovators in the field, I was introduced to a variety of therapeutic modalities. As a teenager, I co-led a parent-child therapy group with my dad, and in my lifetime have attended many of his "Love and Forgiveness" workshops in Seattle, Toronto and Victoria, Canada, and at Monroe Correctional Facility. I have grown through numerous support groups and, in particular, from doing my own work. In 1999, I completed my formal education and received a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Washington, specializing in Mental Health. I later fulfilled Washington State requirements to become a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. Embracing the call to help co-create a safe and supportive place for people seeking hope, healing, transformation and peace humbles and inspires me every day.

Settings in which I've served include a crisis residential center for at-risk youth (family reconciliation services); a therapeutic residential milieu for adults with severe and persistent mental illness at risk for hospitalization, incarceration or homelessness (intensive individual/team case management and counseling); in public housing community programs (eviction prevention for individuals and families); in-home supportive services for culturally diverse, economically marginalized families ('HOMEBUILDERS' model of assessment, counseling, wrap-around treatment to prevent child out-of-home placement); therapeutic transitional housing in Belltown (counseling, case management, crisis intervention, Life Skills and housing advocacy for women moving out of homelessness), and in a clinical marijuana treatment study at the University of Washington (assessment, therapy and marijuana dependence treatment using Motivational Enhancement and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to facilitate client-driven change). I have also taught introductory and advance practice classes at the UW-School of Social Work, including The Treatment of Interpersonal Violence and Trauma, and counsel/mentor students in both community college and university settings.

Counseling concerns faced by folks with whom I work include facing dramatic or unexpected life change (such as job separation), and exploration of personal and/or professional identify; depression, anxiety, loss (including death of a loved one) and complex grief; mental health, substance abuse, dual diagnosis, and recovery from physical or psychological trauma. Specialty areas include Trauma-Informed Therapy and Treatment for Marijuana Dependency. Therapeutic Modalities on which I draw include Cognitive Behavioral, Motivational Enhancement, Gestalt, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused, Family Systems, Group Therapy and Psycho Education. I continually re-assess my work through the lens of cultural relevancy and social justice, both of which are values I cherish. 

In my heart of hearts I believe deep healing is within reach for anyone, and that you are the expert on your experience and concerns. Solutions to current challenges can be found within your own insights, self-discovery, strengths and resiliency. My role is to be present as a skillful, respectful, compassionate therapist and collaborator, honored to accompany you on your journey toward personal goal achievement, self-realization, healing, and wholeness. 

Cynthia Shaw, LICSW Curriculum Vitae

Jason MacLeod, MA, LMHC, Addiction Specialist

As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor my goal is to create a safe and non-judgmental environment for you to discover the answers to the difficult challenges we face in life.  My passion to help others led me to completing my Masters in Clinical Psychology in 2007 and I also became dually certified in Chemical Dependency in 2010.  My genuine and humanistic approach has led me to treat each of my clients as a unique individual with their own story to tell.  My curiosity in human behavior has also led me to continue my education by pursuing my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology so I can continue to add services and knowledge to my practice.

My strong desire to help others is grounded in my youthful compassion to listen to each person’s experiences.  I remember first being inspired as I worked as a counselor for adolescents in Pennsylvania and New York.  My excitement to serve others was fueled through volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity and the two years I served in Americorps where I developed and ran a mentor program for at risk youth.  It was a humbling experience to see the impact on these youth with just a couple hours a week that taught them college was possible.  My belief is that no matter what our background is or challenges we have faced, that through client focused therapy one can find their inner strength and voice to become empowered and successful.  I am confident in my skills as a clinician and experience in working with clients but I recognize that each person I work with is an expert on their unique journey.  

I have worked extensively with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse issues at an inpatient facility for youth and outpatient facility for adults.  For the past four years I have work closely with the criminal system and defense attorneys in conducting mental health and chemical dependency evaluations as well as providing treatment services.  My experiences also include treating those who suffered from depression, anxiety, and OCD while also supporting those who have struggled with relationships, boundary issues, grief and loss or past trauma.  The therapeutic process can be a challenging process but not one you have to do alone and I am honored and excited for each new client I am able to help grow and explore life through a genuine and supportive experience.

Jason MacLeod, LMHC Curriculum Vitae

Jean Hammel, MA, LMHC

Areas of Expertise: Death, dying, grief and loss. Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, PTSD, Marriage and family therapy. I see individuals, couples, and families across all ages from children through older adults.

I have garnered 25 years of rich, hands on experience working with clients in psychiatric and medical hospitals as well as in the outpatient clinic setting. In 1989 I graduated with a master’s degree in psychology from Antioch University in Seattle. I began doing mental health crisis intervention at community mental health centers. From there I went to Fairfax Hospital in Kirkland where I worked with children and their families.  I have managed an outpatient mental health center and I worked in the Lake Washington school district with mentally ill students.  I have had the opportunity to work at Stevens Hospital as an ER Social Worker and Psychiatric Intake Manager. There I first worked with the geriatric population. I have also worked for Group Health doing crisis management and quality review of mental health care. I have also had acute mental health experience, working in the Valley Monroe geriatric inpatient ward. Most recently, for the last 10 years, I have worked in medical clinics doing crisis intervention and counseling for individuals, couples and families.

I take a holistic approach by not only serving the client but also helping the family deal with the crisis of first break Schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and major depression. I have had extensive experience in helping clients with job dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, lack of motivation, life style modification and relationship conflicts. I have a special interest in helping clients deal with chronic and terminal illness, pain and death. I am a diabetic educator and I include information about diet and exercise in my therapy with diabetic clients. I have worked with a very wide variety of ethnic and culturally diverse populations and I am sensitive to their unique needs.

I use several complimentary methods to overcome anxiety and depression but my primary tools are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Positive Psychology and Mindfulness. Often times, the primary goal in the mental health field is to identify disorders and help clients cope with them. While this is a piece of my practice, I prefer to identify and amplify my clients’ strengths. I believe that eliminating depression and anxiety does not insure well-being alone. I strive to partner with my clients to attain a better quality of life, where they can flourish not just survive.