Kari Lipke

I appreciate the invitation to walk alongside people seeking help with mental health challenges. I specialize in supporting adults to navigate ongoing impacts of complex, developmental trauma. I also work with clients navigating major life transitions, including grief, career or family changes, and serious or terminal medical diagnoses. I see adults of all ages and backgrounds in my practice and bring specialized experience working with emerging adults and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker operating in Seattle, Washington, hold a Master of Social Work from Seattle University and a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School, and am trained in EMDR through the EMDR Institute.

I believe meaningful therapy rests on a strong therapeutic alliance, where you are the expert on your life and I provide clinical knowledge, compassion, and ethical, trustworthy care. Together, we create a safe space to explore suffering and hope. My integrative approach is rooted in neuroscience and developmental psychology, viewing the mind and body as a single connected system. Depending on your needs, our work may draw from the Adaptive Information Processing model that includes Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Parts Work (similar to Internal Family Systems), mindfulness and somatic practices, cognitive behavioral therapies (e.g., CBT, ACT, DBT), or Solution-Focused therapy. Finally, I view your mental health through a cultural lens, recognizing how systemic factors like marginalization impact trauma, while honoring your unique heritage and identity as a vital source of resilience and wisdom.

Our first session is an invitation to begin building a space of safety and containment worthy of your courage. This initial 55-minute meeting focuses on getting to know one another, exploring what brings you to therapy, and clarifying your hopes and goals for our work. There is no pressure to dive deeply into painful details right away; instead, our goal is to establish a shared comfort level, discuss logistics, and ensure we are a good fit for your ongoing journey.