Clarice Wirkala, PhD, LMHC (She/Her)

Dr. Clarice Wirkala received a PhD in Developmental Psychology from Columbia University, Teachers College, a Master of Philosophy from Columbia University, and a Master of Arts in Psychology from Seattle University. She specializes in therapeutic work with teenagers and college students who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and other social-emotional concerns. She also provides parent counseling and support for parents from all walks of life. She provides a warm, accepting, and safe space for young people to express themselves, to learn about themselves, to grow, and to heal.

Clarice received training in therapy and counseling for children and adults at Sound Mental Health, in Seattle. She has worked with young people suffering from depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns at the Downtown Emergency Services Center and the King County Crisis Clinic. She received additional training and experience at the Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics of the University of Washington and at the Education for Thinking Project of Columbia University.

Clarice spent her early years in Brazil. She has worked in counseling and education with children around the globe: with Mayan girls in Guatemala; with orphans in the Ukraine; with students from the University of Maputo in Mozambique; with indigenous children in the highlands of Peru; with teenage mothers in Argentina; and with gifted children in New York City. Clarice has also worked in the Dominican Republic, collaborating with the Secretary of Education and with President Fernández to help pilot a thinking-skills public school curriculum.

Clarice has taught college courses in Psychology, University Writing, Literature, and Philosophy at Columbia University, Barnard College, and the City University of New York. She especially enjoyed teaching Masterpieces of European Literature and Philosophy to Columbia freshmen.

In collaboration with the Education for Thinking Project at Columbia University, her research explores the development of psychological skills and meta-cognitions in pre-adolescents, and has been published in journals of psychology and education.

Clarice enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her three children.

Email: clarice@northseattletherapy.com

Telephone: 206-384-8636

Credentials

Clarice is licensed in Washington State to provide therapy and counseling as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC, License #: LH60691207).