Nikki Sarno

Professional Counseling Associate

My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, nonjudgmental, and trauma-informed. I believe healing begins when we shift the question from “What’s wrong with me?” to “What has happened to me, and what does that part of me need now?” My goal is to help you reconnect with your values, inner wisdom, and sense of self so you can move through the world with more clarity, choice, and compassion.

My work is informed by somatic theory, grief and loss studies, Internal Family Systems (IFS), intersectional feminism, and mindfulness. I believe every “part” of you has a purpose, even the ones that feel difficult or conflicting, and I’m honored to help you get to know those parts with curiosity rather than judgment. I have experience supporting clients with neurodivergence, trauma, anxiety and depression, identity exploration, relationship challenges, and life transitions. As a queer person, it’s especially meaningful to hold affirming space for LGBTQIA2S+ clients.

My first experience in therapy was as a teen navigating Alopecia, which taught me the power of being witnessed and supported during suffering. I believe therapy doesn’t eliminate pain, but it can help us learn to “suffer well”—with more connection, resilience, and meaning.

I received my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (with a trauma focus) from Antioch University Seattle in 2024. I value transparency and welcome feedback throughout the process; if something isn’t working, I want to know. I am committed to ongoing learning, decolonizing my practice, and acknowledging the impact of privilege, identity, and systems on our mental health. You are the expert on your life—I’m here to walk alongside you with care, curiosity, and respect.