CLINICAL INTERN
Pronouns: They/Them
As someone well-acquainted with stress and anxiety, Xelian has had to be persistent in finding ways to become grounded and remain resilient. One of the strategies they’ve found most effective is mindfulness, which they first encountered while struggling as an undergraduate student at the University of Washington, and, in part, credit with the completion of their first Bachelor’s degree in Japanese Linguistics. Since then, they have extended this practice to include tailored self-care routines and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), enabling them to work through internal suffering without invalidating their own experiences. Xelian hopes to help clients identify the methods that work best for them as unique and diverse individuals.
Xelian graduated from Highline College in Spring 2021 with their second Bachelor’s degree, Applied Science in Youth Development. During their time at Highline, they worked as an Inter-Cultural Center Peer Facilitator. In this environment, Xelian was encouraged to be their authentic self, while acknowledging their intersecting identities of being a White, non-binary (female at birth) person. They became increasingly aware that the privileges they hold come with a responsibility to empower others. During their time at Highline College, Xelian helped support others to explore their own identities and advocated for underserved populations through research and presentations on LGBTQIA+, disability justice, and racial inequities. Being involved with the Inter-Cultural Center accelerated their understanding and development of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice values. This became the avenue that directed Xelian to become a systems-oriented, strengths-based counselor with a life-long dedication to multicultural competency.
Xelian wishes to serve a wide range of clients, with particular interest in working with disadvantaged social groups, adolescents, and students. Xelian is currently pursuing their Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Capella University. Xelian aligns most with feminist theory approaches, postmodernism approaches, and client-centered, trauma-informed treatment. They respect that each client is the expert on their own life and aim to provide clients with a safe space to define their own identity. Xelian also acknowledges the potential fluidity of identity, the limitations of labels, and that identity may change over time. They enjoy working with multiple presenting concerns, including but not limited to: dual-diagnosis, life transitions, low self-esteem, relationship distress, and systemic oppression.
In a session, clients can expect a holistic and collaborative approach. Xelian strives to create a safe and welcoming environment where clients are empowered to bring their authentic selves into counseling. Xelian acknowledges that life is complicated, messy, may feel unmanageable, and that endless external layers often add to this struggle. Xelian works with clients to untangle these factors, finding ways to manage, resolve, and/or navigate life alongside their personal considerations.
Xelian is a bachelor's-level mental health counseling intern at Twin Lakes Counseling. They are supervised by Cherie McKale, LMHC (NPI 1528620010, License LH61317695).
