Mikaela Serafin

MDiv; MA, LMHC

Psychology, BS | Religion, BS | Minors: Women + Gender Studies; Religious Studies

Past

Mikaela was raised on the dirt roads of the California Central Valley.

Between the hum of a combine + the smell of manure, Mikaela began a long affair with the agriculture industry. She spent her days studying food safety + agricultural policy + her nights dreaming of running her family’s farm.

At eighteen she packed up her car + moved to college assured of what her future held.

Life, however, proved to be unkind + Mikaela found herself grappling with what seemed like unbearable grief + loss. Death comes in many forms + is a respecter of no persons. Anxiety, depression, + a year-long migraine propelled Mikaela to find a source of hope.

She packed up her car + moved once again, but this time she fell in love.

Mikaela fell in love with a city + a place that will forever mark her.

In Seattle, she learned to breathe + the endless goodness which healing relationships bring.

Mikaela left the dirt roads + crafted a true home amongst skyscrapers while holding a strong commitment still to her agriculturist identity.

Today she works to create formative environments for all people to find true belonging + communion.

Practice.

As a therapeutic clinician, Mikaela is committed to thriving relationships + human flourishing. Her diversified training + own experiences have lead her to believe relationships can not only be reparative, but healing + redemptive. She works from a foundational passion for creating enriching environments where connection, growth, + hope can be found.

Present.

Mikaela is a graduate of The Seattle School of Theology + Psychology. Her work focuses on the intersections of theology, psychology, philosophy, + intersectional feminism. She is committed to fighting for human flourishing for all.

Outside of the office, Mikaela is passionate about good coffee, local farmer’s markets, dry shampoo, + the San Francisco Giants (although she does have a growing soft spot for Seattle sports). On any given day, you will most likely find Mikaela at her favorite local coffee shop with a good book + her dog Rainey.

The Journey

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice –
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do –
determined to save
the only life you could save.

— Mary Oliver