Mary Kay Brennan, DSW, MSW, LICSW

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, as well as an Approved Supervisor for Licensed Associate Clinical Social Workers
Works with Individuals and Teletherapy
WA License ##LW00004504

My approach to counseling

I view psychotherapy as an opportunity to hit pause and explore thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and life patterns that have influenced your life choices, moods, and relationships. With increased personal insight, you are better equipped to attain your self-defined goals. Psychotherapy is also a time to develop new skills and methods of coping to reach your full potential and have more gratifying relationships. Through warmth, positive regard, humor, and deep listening, I strive to establish an active therapeutic relationship that provides a safe space for growth.

I used a client-centered, strength-based approach to therapy. Psychotherapy may be brief solution-focused or longer insight-oriented work depending on your goals. My lens for understanding is informed by a variety of theories including attachment, relational, life span, ecological systems, and trauma-informed. I understand and consider intersectional identities. Practice strategies include the use of interpretations, solution-focused, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and anti-oppressive frameworks. In child therapy, I use play therapy techniques interspersed with talk therapy. I work to actively involve parents and guardians in their support of their child through collateral or family sessions.

I have experience in working with

Children and adolescents – wide array issues and experiences (i.e., divorce, death, situational adjustments, anxiety, school-based, identity development, disabilities and school settings, abuse / neglect, adoption, etc.)

Women’s issues

Issues of life transitions (i.e., divorce, death, health, etc.), depression, anxiety, grief and loss, identity issues, trauma

GLBTQI

School consultations – Trauma-response teams

Faith communities and community members sessions regarding clergy abuse crisis, removal of priest/ pastor

Supervision (1:1 or group) of LACSWs toward licensure

Education

DSW, Doctorate in Social Work, St. Catherine University and University of St. Thomas

Post-MSW Certificates: Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Northwest Alliance for Psychoanalytic Study and Multi-Ethnic Practice, University of Washington School of Social Work

MSW, Clinical Concentration, University of Michigan

BS, Special Education – Emotionally Impaired, Western Michigan University

Professional Experience

Clinical Professor and BSW Program Director, Department of Social Work, Seattle University, 2002 – present

Clinical Social Worker, Supervisor, Consultant – Private Practice, Seattle and Lynnwood, WA, 1988- 2017

Elementary Guidance Specialist, Edmonds School District, 1988-2002

Child and Family Therapist, Compass Health (Formally Luther Child Center) 1983-1987

Insurance Accepted

Aetna, Kaiser (Not All Plans), Managed Health Network, Premera (Lifewise), and Regence

Make an Appointment

Samaritan Center uses an Electronic Health Records (EHR) system developed by Valant for client intake and subsequent health records management. To set up your account and schedule your appointment, follow these steps, as directed by your therapist and prompted by Valant:

1. To begin the process, first contact the therapist by email or phone (listed on this page above) to schedule an initial conversation about fit.
2. When prompted by an email from Valant, set up your patient portal account using a validation code provided by your therapist.
3. Fill out your demographic/insurance information in Valant. Let your therapist know when this is complete.
4. When prompted by an email from Valant, complete our eSignature intake packet.

NOTE: All the above steps must be completed before your first session with your therapist.

Having trouble? Read Valant's detailed instructions for setting up and using your patient portal.
For additional assistance, email patientportalhelp@samaritanps.org.
Existing client? After your patient portal is set up, you can log in here.
First telehealth session? Read Valant's detailed instructions for Teletherapy.