Melanie Sherzad
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
(Pronouns: She/They)
Contact information
In-Network Insurance
- Private Pay
- Premera/Lifewise
- Most BCBS Plans
- FCHN
- Kaiser PPO/First Choice
- Kaiser HMO with pre-authorization
- Eligible for Out-of-Network benefits
A Bit About Me
Hi there! Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me. Understanding your therapist’s background may provide you with important insight into what experiences and expertise align with your own life experiences and values. This is an important step in your mental health journey!
I am a non-binary, second-generation, mixed therapist of color. I am the child of immigrants and the byproduct of American colonialism. My dad immigrated from Afghanistan during the Cold War, and my mom immigrated from Nicaragua during a time of US-funded violence in her country. Growing up, I remember hearing many stories of war, loss of life, trauma, poverty, and hopelessness from my parents and family members. I was also taught that the US had moved away from colonialism and white supremacy. As a kid growing up in America, I believed that the USA was the “land of the free,” and I was protected under the laws of this land. However, after 9/11, I experienced racism and prejudice because of where my dad was born and the color of our skin. It took many years of personal work and social activism for me to fully see myself as a human being worthy of good things. The pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement showcased how much work is still needed to do away with white supremacy, profit over people, exploitation of the environment, and colonization. I realized that the work I do to earn a living has deep implications for the people I work with and the community I live in. This work is close to my heart.
In 2020, I began volunteering my time with a Seattle non-profit that provides therapeutic poetry mentoring for incarcerated and institutionalized youth. Statistics show that more than half of the youth incarcerated are youth of color and have experienced higher levels of trauma. Through this work, I have seen the value of using art and mental health to connect with our true selves. In my own personal work, I see the value in cultivating my voice through creative expression and social activism. I also enjoy being in nature, napping, cooking, creating art, and attending music shows. I crave creative expression and feel spiritually connected to others when I am in a creative space. I am bicoastal and was raised in New York, Miami, and the Bay Area. Seattle is my home.
I view therapy as the practice of connecting to your authentic self. Harmony and wellness are achievable through authenticity. Oppression (e.g., ageism, ableism, transphobia, white supremacy, fatphobia, classism, etc.) and past traumas often cloud our sense of self and power. It’s not uncommon to shrink ourselves to fit in. My focus is on exploring your past, your relationship to your intersectional identities, and the impact of the systems around you to help you establish a deeper connection with your true self. My goal is for you to experience comfort and peace as you live your truth. Together, we’ll navigate areas of your life that might not align with your authentic self, making gradual changes with your consent. Sometimes we may work on acceptance of your authentic self. With the right support and space, I firmly believe that wellness is within reach for everyone.
In my therapeutic practice, I adopt a multifaceted approach that encompasses anti-oppression, creative expression, and a community-oriented perspective. I integrate various therapeutic modalities, including Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), narrative therapy, mindfulness, art therapy, mind-body connection, strengths-based approaches, systems theory, relational therapy, and restorative justice. Embracing an anti-oppression stance involves recognizing and dismantling systemic structures that perpetuate inequality, both within ourselves and our environment. Creativity, in my view, serves as a powerful tool for self-expression and interpersonal connection. When words fall short, creative expression can become a conduit for communication, enabling individuals to transform their pain in powerful ways. I also see community as a vital extension of our individual selves. Healing isn’t a solitary journey—it involves connecting and liberating not just ourselves, but others too. While therapeutic work often focuses on personal growth, it’s truly a dance between the self and others. Our sessions provide a safe space to explore these dynamics, recognizing the synergy between our work in therapy and your growth beyond our sessions. Let’s embark on this journey together.
Highline College
Certificate in Substance Use Disorder Counseling (2021)
Barry University
Master of Social Work (2018)
University of California, Berkeley
Bachelor of Arts in History (2014)
Private Practice, Seattle, WA
Therapist
Zane Counseling, Sammamish, WA
Individual Therapist
Thira Health, Bellevue, WA
Primary Therapist
Youth Eastside Services, Bellevue, WA
Co-occurring Disorder Therapist
Research Centers of America, Hollywood, FL
Clinical Rater
Miami Jewish Health, Miami, FL
Hospital Social Worker
Kristi House, Miami, FL
Unaccompanied Minors Therapist
Quantum Therapeutics, Miami, FL
Therapist
Restorative Justice Training (Part I)
Seattle, WA (2023)
Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy
Seattle, WA (2021)
Therapeutic Poetry Writing
Seattle, WA (2021)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Foundational Training
Seattle, WA (2020)
The Seven Challenges
Bellevue, WA (2020)
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy Training
Fort Lauderdale, FL (2018)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Miami, FL (2018)
Areas of Expertise
- Cultural Adjustment and Immigration
- Impacts of Racism, Oppression, and Discrimination
- Bicultural stress and identity
- Workplace stress & work/life balance
- Activists, Therapists, and Healers
- PTSD and Complex Trauma
- Gender and sexual identity
- Anxiety, Depression, and Mood Disorders
- Latinx Mental Health
- Middle Eastern & Muslim Health
- Life Transitions
- Grief & Loss
- Family of origin concerns
- Relationship concerns
- ADHD