While some of our volunteers or staff may coincidentally have a professional background in psychology, therapy, counseling or social work, in our capacity as Pizza Klatch facilitators, that is not our role. Klatch is focused in peer support cultivated and maintained by the students in attendance, with our staff and volunteers acting as facilitators of the space to maintain group agreements and general safety. Nevertheless, in order to make sure our volunteers and staff are prepared for any situation that may come up in klatches, every school year Pizza Klatch partners with one (or more) local therapists, psychologists or counselors to support our facilitators on a volunteer basis. These are our much beloved volunteer Therapist Consultants!

Pizza Klatch Therapist Consultants are uniquely qualified to support PK staff and volunteers by being licensed or certified to practice therapy, counseling or psychology in the State of Washington, as well as being trained in specific areas of social work, LGBTQ+/youth support AND are members of the LGBTQ+ community themselves. These amazing folks volunteer their time with our organization to advise our facilitators when needed as well as assist in shaping our training and general programming. We are so lucky to have them as part of Pizza Klatch as well as members of our Thurston County community as a whole!

she/her

LMCHA, New Hope Solutions

ABOUT DANIELLE: Depression, anxiety, and trauma are among the mental health challenges affecting our youth. Counseling exists to support individuals through these difficulties and equip them with tools for the future. Many of these issues emerge at young ages but can persist throughout life. Having experienced this firsthand, I chose to become a counselor to serve as a reliable resource for both youths and adults.

I am a neurodivergent counselor-in-training pursuing my Master’s degree at Saint Martin’s University. As a student engaged in an internship role to gain practical experience, I am dedicated to assisting clients of all ages who face challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and other life difficulties. I am a firm believer in the therapeutic relationship’s healing potential, a partnership formed with clients to help them achieve their therapy goals. While my primary approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), narrative therapy, and Adlerian therapy, I understand that the therapeutic style may need to be tailored to each client’s unique needs. Additionally, I have a special interest in working with neurodiverse clients and their families.

One of the essential aspects of therapy is creating a safe and comfortable environment for clients to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences without fear of judgment. As a counselor-in-training, I am committed to providing a non-judgmental space where my clients can feel heard, understood, and supported on their journey towards healing and growth. I believe that every individual has the strength and resilience to overcome life’s challenges; my role as a therapist is to help them tap into those inner resources.

they/them

LSWAIC, Femme and Them

ABOUT HP: Therapy Grounded in Justice, Culture, and Indigenous Worldview

Hi, I’m Heather Penny, but everyone calls me HP. As a Queer and Native therapist, I have infinite faith in your capacity to heal and grow, as you define it. I strive to hold the complexity of justice, culture, queerness, disability, and Indigenous worldview in all of my therapeutic work.

A Space for Authenticity and Full Humanity

I love holding space for client authenticity, being freaky, messy, gloriously human, full of opinions and personality. I am committed to supporting you in showing up as your full self, without needing to shrink or soften who you are in order to be supported.

Becoming the Biggest, Truest Version of Yourself

I’m committed to supporting you to become the biggest, truest version of yourself, because there’s room enough for all of us. My work centers your lived experience and honors the ways identity, culture, and community shape who you are and how you heal.

Healing Justice and Trauma Responsive Care

Drawing on tenets of trauma responsive disability and healing justice, I use an eclectic mix of modalities that honor the body, story, and environment as integral to mental health. My approach reflects a deep respect for how justice, culture, and lived experience are woven into healing.

Body, Land, and Community Centered Healing Practices

I draw from culturally specific narrative therapy, generative somatics, harm reduction, and land and community centered healing practices, including plant medicines for mental health and somatic awareness when appropriate and aligned. I view healing as relational and grounded in connection to body, land, and community.