Sonja Rudie, MA, LMHC, CSAT-S, PhD Cand. in Clinical Sexology

Sonja is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, Certified EMDR Therapist, an Approved Consultant with EMDRIA & The Parnell EMDR Institute, a Washington State Clinical Supervisor, and a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist Supervisor. She is a seasoned therapist who specializes in treating trauma, stress, addictions, and sexually betrayed Partners. Sonja is the President, Founder, and Clinical Director of La Perla Counseling & Trauma Response Services, Inc. She is a core faculty member of the Parnell EMDR Institute, which provides professional training and consultation for therapists. Sonja is a contributing author of two books: Mending a Shattered Heart and Clergy Sexual Misconduct.

Sonja splits her time between Washington State and Hawaii.  

Steve Sandvik, MA, LMHC
*Retired as of Dec 2024

Steve is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor trained as an Attachment Focused EMDR therapist by Laurel Parnell, PhD. He is Certified in EMDR and specializes in mending attachments and treating problematic sexual behavior. He facilitates the Bellevue Men and Women's Health Groups providing therapy for those struggling with intimacy, self worth, shame and vulnerability. Steve draws from Brené Brown's work to help clients embrace their story, achieve healing, and foster resiliency. He is a member of the Parnell EMDR Institute. Steve is also trained in the Flash Technique of EMDR. Steve and La Perla Counseling have partnered with The Headstrong Project and TAP-IN to provide Attachment Focused EMDR to underserved, stigmatized, and marginalized populations. 

Phoenix Li, MEd, MA, LMHC

Phoenix is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and is able to provide counseling in Mandarin and English. She also knows Japanese to bridge the language barrier. Phoenix specializes in working with children with anxiety and behavioral issues, married couples struggling with relational intimacy, and adult women who are natural caretakers for others but have a hard time caring for their own needs. Phoenix also enjoys working with perinatal and postnatal issues. She has worked with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and has a keen interest in multicultural counseling. Phoenix is trained in both Standard and Attachment Focused EMDR, completing additional Advanced EMDR training with Laurel Parnell, PhD.  

Kennedy Sanchez, MA, LMHC
 

Gone into Private Practice in Kirkland as of April 2025

Kennedy received her Masters in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Substance Use and Addiction from Antioch University, Seattle in 2021. She completed her internship with both Touchstone Behavioral Health in Blaine and La Perla Counseling & Trauma Response Services, Inc. where she provided community based therapeutic services and EMDR for trauma survivors. During her pre-internship practicum, she provided counseling services at the Antioch Community, Counseling, and Psychology clinic and volunteered with adult women facing homelessness at Mary’s Place in Seattle. In her undergraduate studies, Kennedy majored in Psychology and double-minored in Family Studies and Nutrition at Central Washington University. Kennedy specializes in helping individuals heal from childhood trauma, anxiety and panic, depression, body image, ADHD, grief, identity development, low self-esteem, codependency, PTSD and C-PTSD.

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Kennedy is trained in both Standard and Attachment Focused EMDR, completing additional Advanced EMDR training with Laurel Parnell, PhD. 

Janine Li, MS, NLP, Antioch Graduate Student  

Janine has a Masters of Science from Simon Fraser University and is a Master practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programing (NLP). She is trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and certification as a Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and brings an integrative, compassionate approach to treatment. She is especially passionate about working with immigrant clients exploring bicultural or multicultural identity development. Her clinical interests include childhood trauma, anxiety, depression, identity issues, low self esteem, codependency, and complex PTSD (C-PTSD). Janine is fluent in English and Mandarin. 

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Janine is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student at Antioch University Seattle, specializing in Trauma Counseling and is under supervision under Sonja Rudie, MA, LMHC. Janine is currently providing trauma informed care at the Antioch University Community Counseling and Psychology Clinic. Janine has also been a volunteer with PEPS (Program for Early Parent Support) in Seattle, supporting new parents in building community and resilience. Janine initiated and implanted the Positive Discipline Parenting Program for EYAS Global Montessori, fostering parent-child relationships.

Janine strives to create a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel seen, supported, and empowered to explore their inner world and make meaningful change. As a bilingual clinician with lived experience navigating cultural transitions, she brings cultural sensitivity and deep empathy to her work with diverse communities.

Bella Nirk, BA, Antioch Graduate Student

Bella earned her Bachelor's in Psychological Sciences from Seattle Pacific University and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Counseling at Antioch University, Seattle. As the Office Coordinator and Admin, Bella helps ensure smooth operations and provides support for both staff and clients.

Outside of work, Bella enjoys thrifting, going to concerts, spending time with her pets, and exploring the Seattle area.

Rachel Stanley

Rachel obtained her Degree in Accounting from Western Washington University and her CPA license in the state of Washington. She is currently the bookkeeper and accountant for La Perla Counseling and Trauma Response Services, Inc. Rachel enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, watching hockey and drinking coffee.