Caitlin Minniear

LMFT, MDFT, CST

I believe that healing occurs when people are given the space to explore their unique emotional experience and better understand how it colors their worldview, sense of self, and relationships with others. Within a safe therapeutic relationship, I work with my clients to make meaning out of both mundane and extraordinary moments, unlocking their ability to live a more fully present, authentic life. 

Working from a systemic and culturally competent lens, I have experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate complex relational issues including intergenerational trauma, acculturation stress, depression, anxiety, grief, chronic illness, and life transitions. My therapeutic work utilizes experiential and somatic interventions to encourage integration of the mind-body experience and is primarily influenced by Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), attachment theory, and other relational based modalities. Therapy sessions may include exercises with breathwork, mindfulness, and movement.

As a queer woman of color, I understand how difficult it may be to trust someone new with the vulnerable and intimate parts of yourself, yet I also have experienced the life changing outcomes of putting attention and work towards personal growth. I am passionate about helping individuals explore their sexuality, gender, and identity across the lifespan and am a certified sex therapist with the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT).  I have specialized training to help individuals and couples work through issues involving intimacy, sexual functioning, pleasure, and desire discrepancies.

I grew up in Maui, Hawai’i where I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology and became interested in exploring multicultural issues and transgenerational trauma. I relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 2015 and received my master’s degree in Marriage and Family therapy from Seattle Pacific University, with a graduate certificate in Medical Family Therapy and a specialization in working with medical illnesses. My clinical experience includes working within the social work system of Swedish Cancer Institute where I provided support and counseling to individuals and families coping with cancer diagnoses, caregiving responsibilities, and end of life discussions.

In my free time I enjoy reading, hiking, stargazing, and exploring new places with my partner and dogs. I embrace yoga and mindfulness as personal self care and feel most at peace when spending time with loved ones and being immersed in nature.