ECC’s Clinical Team

I’m so glad you’re here. I believe that many of the struggles we carry are not failures but survival strategies: ways we learned to protect ourselves when connection felt too painful or unsafe.

In our work together, we slowly reconnect with the parts of you that had to go quiet. Through a steady, attuned, relational approach, I offer a space where your emotions can be held rather than managed alone, and where your story can unfold without judgment or urgency.

I am especially passionate about working with eating disorders, body image distress, trauma, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and relationship issues. 

Together we can dissect and challenge the narratives that pathologize bodies and disconnect us from ourselves, particularly for those whose identities have been marginalized or ignored in traditional clinical spaces. My practice is rooted in a trauma-informed, body-inclusive framework that honors each individual’s lived experience and celebrates the diversity of all bodies, identities, and expressions. 

My hope is that therapy becomes a place of gentle return; a place where you learn to meet yourself with compassion, reclaim trust in your body and self, and feel more whole, connected, and alive.

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As an AAMFT Approved Supervisor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I view supervision as a deeply collaborative and relational process. My goal is to create a supportive, reflective, and empowering environment where clinicians can grow in confidence, clinical skill, and self-awareness. Supervision about developing competency and equally important ~ cultivating authenticity, curiosity, and a grounded professional identity.

I approach supervision through a systemic lens, understanding that the supervisory relationship itself mirrors many of the same dynamics that occur in therapy. I strive to build a genuine connection with each supervisee ~ one that allows for openness, trust, and mutual respect. I see our work together as a partnership where curiosity, humor, and compassion are welcome. Supervision is a space to explore not only clinical work but also the relational patterns that shape how we show up as therapists.

I tailor my supervision to meet each clinician where they are in their professional journey. Early-career therapists may benefit from more structure, modeling, and guidance, while advanced associates often need space for deeper reflection and autonomy. My goal is to provide both support and challenge ~ to help supervisees grow without feeling overwhelmed. Together, we set goals that evolve as confidence and competence deepen.

My name is Melissa Polanco, and I’m so glad you’ve made it here. Taking the step to seek support takes tremendous courage, it shows that you’ve begun to prioritize your well being, and that’s something to truly be proud of.

 Over the years, I’ve developed a strong passion for working with adolescents and young adults (ages 10-25), helping them navigate life’s transitions and challenges. Through both my personal experiences and professional growth, I’ve witnessed how transformative it can be to have compassionate support and guidance, especially when building resilience and the ability to bounce back from adversity.

I’m also certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and enjoy using this approach to help clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns, develop healthier coping strategies, and strengthen their sense of self-efficacy.

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Life can bring challenges that leave us feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to move forward. Whether you’re coping with stress, grief, or major changes, or simply feeling weighed down by daily struggles, it can help to have a safe space to process what you’re going through. Together, we can explore new perspectives, build healthy coping skills, and find ways to create more balance and peace in your life.

I work with individuals, couples, and families across all stages of life. Some of the concerns I often support include anxiety, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, grief, and life transitions. My approach is person-centered and trauma-informed. I focus on your unique needs, honor your story, and work with you to support healing and growth.

My goal is to offer care that fits your life and offer flexible scheduling. Please feel free to reach out with any questions—I’d be glad to connect and honored to support you. Together, we can create a safe space to explore your needs, build resilience, and move toward meaningful change.

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I believe people grow in the context of their relationships, communities, and culture. In therapy, I work collaboratively and at your pace, creating a space that is respectful, curious, and nonjudgmental. My style is warm and grounded: we clarify what matters to you, build practical skills, and explore patterns that keep you stuck so you can move toward the life you want.

I have over 3 years of clinical experience working in various levels of care (IOP/PHP), as well as residential and inpatient. I am thoroughly experienced in deescalation, validation, and fascilitating therapeutic interventions with a variety of acuity levels.

My approach blends evidence-based tools with a systems and existential lens. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness practices to help with immediate concerns like anxiety, mood, and stress. I utilize existential and humanistic principles, treating clients as the experts in their own lives and emphasizing meaning-making. Additionally, I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy philosophies that focus on effective coping skills and building a life worth living from the client’s perspective. Sessions are active and tailored: we set clear goals, practice concrete strategies, and check in regularly about what is and is not working.

I especially enjoy working with students, young adults, and adults navigating life transitions, identity development, and working on interpersonal communication skills. I welcome LGBTQ+ clients and clients from

Therapy is a space to explore, create, and grow- and I’m here to walk alongside you in that process. I’m Anjali, a Licensed Associate Therapist and practicing Art Therapist. I’m passionate about creating a warm, supportive environment where clients can express themselves freely and begin to make sense of their inner experiences. I specialize in working with neurodivergent individuals, children, and adolescents, as well as those navigating anxiety and social challenges. I understand that beginning therapy can feel intimidating, and my goal is to make the process feel approachable, engaging, and grounded in compassion.

I believe in the transformative power of art as a means of self-expression, healing, and personal growth. In my practice, I integrate art therapy with DBT-informed techniques to help clients develop skills in mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. For children, art offers another mode of communication by providing a playful yet profound way to process emotions, build confidence, and strengthen coping skills. 

Not an artist? That’s completely okay. Art therapy provides a gentle, imaginative way to explore emotions beyond words that is not based on artistic skill. My role in the therapy space is to help guide clients through creativity and reflection, so they can process challenges and discover new ways of understanding themselves. If this approach resonates with you, I invite you to explore how art can become part of your healing journey. Whether you are seeking

I believe in a collaborative therapeutic process that prioritizes creating an inclusive and nonjudgmental space rooted in empathy, vulnerability, curiosity, and trust. My experience includes working with individuals and families who have experienced trauma, challenging life transitions, anxiety, and depression. I work with children 6 and older, adolescents, adults, and families. I am committed to working with you to find the best approach to your unique needs and goals to help you navigate life’s challenges authentically and encourage you to find sustainable change.

I offer an integrative, systemic, trauma-informed approach to therapy, focusing on honoring your individual experiences. We may discuss everyday stressors or delve into how past experiences have influenced you. My goal is to support you in using your strengths to live authentically and improve your relationships.

Finding a therapist who is the best “fit” can sometimes be an overwhelming and daunting process. Regardless of your reasons for being here, I’m so glad you are exploring getting support. If you have any questions or would like to explore if I am an appropriate fit for you, please reach out via email.

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Reaching out for support is an act of honoring your own needs, and I honor the intention and courage it takes to begin this process. I strive to meet every individual with warmth, respect, and a genuine appreciation for the step they are taking toward their own well-being.

My philosophy of care is grounded in connection, growth, community, and authenticity. These values inform the way I build therapeutic relationships and guide my work with individuals across the lifespan. As a culturally sensitive and trauma-informed counselor, I aim to create a space where each person feels understood, supported, and empowered in their identity. 

My clinical approach is integrative and informed by ACT, CBT, DBT, ERP, narrative, existential, and play-based approaches allowing me to tailor care to the unique needs of each individual. 

I am especially dedicated to helping individuals deepen their relationship with themselves, strengthen their connection with others, navigate the complexities of grief and loss, and develop skills for regulating emotion, tolerating distress, managing mood, and enhancing interpersonal effectiveness. In every therapeutic relationship, I work to ensure that my therapeutic approach remains flexible, evidence-based, and grounded in the cultural and personal context of each individual I work with.

Thank you for inviting me to be part of your healing and growth. I view therapy as a collaborative and integrative process—one in which we work together to identify your goals, align with your values, build on

You hold it together on the outside. But inside? You’re tired of pretending “everything’s fine.”

It’s not fine. Anxiety, sadness, old hurts- it all piles up. And white-knuckling through it isn’t cutting it anymore.

I get it. And I’ve got you.

I work with kids, teens, and adults who are overwhelmed, stuck, and just done feeling this way. Panic attacks that hit at school, low moods that you can’t shake off, relationships that feel like an inescapable loop- I see it all.

And no, therapy with me isn’t sitting in awkward silence while I nod at you. We’ll talk real talk. We’ll get honest about what’s hard and start building tools to help you find your footing again.

My style? Direct, compassionate, and never fake.

I use CBT (to quiet the harsh inner critic), ACT (to help you stop avoiding your life and start living it), mindfulness (because your nervous system deserves a break), and creative/ play-based approaches for kids and teens (so therapy isn’t torture).

This space is for you- whether you’re 8 or 80, single or partnered, falling apart or just ready for something different.

You don’t have to keep pushing through on empty. Therapy can be where you finally exhale. 

So let’s be real: you reached out for a reason. You’re ready. Let’s get started.

Education and Licensure

• Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Northwest University (in progress, expected

I am here to meet you exactly as you are, wherever life finds you and whatever struggles you may be facing. My approach to therapy is person-centered, multicultural, and depth-oriented while remaining solution-focused. I bring an open-minded, caring, and culturally sensitive perspective to our sessions. I deeply value understanding your unique background and collaborating closely with you on your path toward healing and growth.

I work with individuals and couples, supporting clients across the lifespan. While I’m a traditional talk therapist at heart, you may also find me incorporating sandtray and other creative modalities, especially when working with younger clients. I’m bilingual and have lived in Europe, Asia, and the United States, with several years of experience in academia. These parts of my life, along with my formal training, shape my practice and help me approach the human experience as nuanced and multifaceted.

In our sessions, you can expect genuine, meaningful dialogue in a space that feels safe, supportive, and unrushed. My goal is to offer compassionate listening, thoughtful reflection, and gentle guidance, empowering you to take ownership of your story and experiences. I believe in small steps rather than perfection. Together, we’ll create an atmosphere of acceptance, authenticity, and trust, where your voice is truly heard.

Education

• Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Northwest University,

I would like to begin by saying that asking for help can feel frightening, especially in a society that often stigmatizes needing support. I deeply respect the courage it takes to open up about painful parts of your life and embrace the desire to grow and heal. Depression, grief, anxiety, and other struggles are powerful forces, and seeking help for them is an admirable act of strength. By sharing my approach and frame of practice, I hope to ease some of the worry that can come with beginning your therapy journey.

My work focuses on relationships and the stories that shape us. The messages we absorb often influence our beliefs and identity in unseen ways. By exploring these influences, I help clients deepen self-understanding, build agency, and open space for new perspectives, meaningful growth, and lasting change.

My goal is to use empathic listening and thoughtful questions to create a collaborative space where you can safely process life’s challenges. By modeling a healthy therapeutic relationship, I hope to help you strengthen your relationship with yourself and carry compassion and authenticity into your connections with others.

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Do you wake up already feeling behind, spending the day trying to catch up only to end it drained and discouraged? Life may have once felt manageable, but now everything has piled up and you don’t know where to begin. It’s normal to feel worried or even ashamed when you’re struggling, but you don’t have to carry it alone. Together, we’ll tackle what feels overwhelming and find changes that fit your life.

My role is to help guide you toward your whole, authentic self. I draw on self-compassion practices to heal the parts of you that feel unlovable or unacceptable, and I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you recognize where you are and move toward the changes you want. Our work will be grounded in acceptance, curiosity, and steady progress.

Clients often tell me they feel comfortable, safe, and unjudged. I bring warmth, humor, and even a few nerdy anecdotes into therapy because I believe healing can be both meaningful and human. I am passionate about this work and consider it a privilege to walk alongside each client as they grow, heal, and step into a more authentic version of themselves.

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I often work with people who feel weighed down by shame, guilt, or self-criticism. You might believe, deep down, that you’re not good enough. You may feel stuck in old patterns, find it hard to truly connect with others, or feel uncertain about your place in the world. Some of my clients describe feeling like outsiders as they explore identity and belonging. Others come in struggling with depression, anxiety, or the daily stressors of life. While the details may differ, what I notice most is a shared desire for healing, self-discovery, and meaningful change.

My practice is rooted in compassion and a strengths-based approach that sees you as the expert of your own life. I adapt these approaches to fit your unique needs, always with the goal of helping you discover greater clarity, resilience, and empowerment.

I know how heavy the weight of unresolved emotional pain can feel, and I want you to know that healing and growth are possible. We will create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and goals. My hope is to help you move toward a life filled with deeper peace, connection, and fulfillment.

Education: 

• Master of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, June 2024
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies, University of Washington, Seattle, June

My approach to therapy is rooted in collaboration, compassion, and honoring each person’s unique story. I believe that healing begins with feeling deeply understood and safe to explore all aspects of one’s experience—including those that feel confusing, painful, or even shameful. My goal is to create a nonjudgmental, affirming environment where you can grow insight, reconnect with your values, and build a life that feels worth living.

I draw primarily from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), integrating cognitive-behavioral, strengths-based, and trauma-informed interventions to support clients in regulating emotions, navigating interpersonal relationships, and addressing self-defeating behaviors. My work is also influenced by my experiences in residential and PHP-level care, community mental health, and my commitment to continuous growth—professionally and personally. I welcome complexity and nuance in the therapy space, and I hold deep respect for the courage it takes to begin this process.

In addition to my work with adults and adolescents, I have experience providing therapeutic support to children through play therapy and other developmentally informed modalities. During my time as a school-based counselor in the UK and in community settings, I facilitated one-on-one sessions that used creative, expressive, and relational techniques to help children process grief, anxiety, trauma, and social challenges. I collaborate closely with caregivers when appropriate and strive to create an emotionally safe and engaging space for

My ideal client is someone who is motivated and ready to work. I am seeking individuals who embrace therapy with an open mind and an open heart, whoare willing to try new things, challenge oneself, embrace different ways of thinking and living, and are consistent with “doing the work”. I work well with individuals who are curious about themselves, reflective, and open to change. Relationship is important to me so I seek to work with folks who are honest and engaged in the process of growth and in building a trusting, caring dynamic. Folks who feels overly anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, or generally rundown and unwell would do well working alongside me as we heal from the past, set intentions for the future, and learn to embrace the present. I enjoy helping folks learn about themselves at a deeper level, understand their values and passions, and evoke the change they need in lifestyle and habits to live a life of health and wellness.

When it comes to wellness, it takes creative energy to find a system that works for you and then to work that system. I am passionate about helping support folks in learning how to live their best lives and in finding their unique system. I provide a safe space to process and understand the past and how it played a role in shaping values, beliefs, and habits and to work through the challenges and triumphs that come with change and embracing new ways of thinking, feeling, and living. I am here as a compassionate guide to help individuals tend to their whole self— mind, body, and spirit. I use a holistic,

My ideal clients are individuals, couples, or families who feel weighed down by stress, anxiety, depression, grief, shame, or self-criticism. They may feel stuck in painful patterns, disconnected in their relationships, or confused by unconscious beliefs that keep them from living fully. Some struggle with identity, belonging, or life transitions; others feel overwhelmed by daily demands or the weight of unresolved trauma.

They come to therapy seeking relief, clarity, and new ways of coping. At the core, they want to feel seen, understood, and supported. Many long for stronger relationships, a sense of balance, or the freedom to live more authentically.

Their goals often include developing self-awareness, building healthier coping strategies, and creating space for healing and growth. They want to move past limiting beliefs, strengthen their resilience, and discover practical ways to live in alignment with their values, living a more fulfilled life.

Schedule a 10-Minute Consultation Call