Kylani Arrington enhances her passion for mental health counseling

Alum Kylani Arrington (’13) majored in Community Psychology as a pathway to becoming a mental health counselor. Her interest in counseling stems from innate curiosity and personal experiences, and the interdisciplinary education she received at UW Bothell has been an asset in her journey. In particular, the Community Psychology program's emphasis on Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Model and social justice advocacy have been integral to her training.

After graduating, Arrington applied to the Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Antioch University Seattle. She is currently completing a clinical practicum at Kaiser Permanente in Bellevue where she co-facilitates a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Group for teens and a Young Adult Processing Group.

In April, Arrington will begin an internship at Sound in Bellevue in their Child and Family Services department. She remains passionate about therapy and is constantly learning. She specializes in treating trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss through Buddhist Psychotherapy techniques and Adlerian (Individual) Psychological methods. However, if a client requires a different approach, Arrington enjoys researching other methods of counseling to create a unique and tailored experience. "It's a collaborative relationship but the client very much leads the way. I'm there to help facilitate the process in a safe and meaningful way."

Arrington encourages Community Psychology students to contribute to the field of mental health counseling. "There's a significant need for folks who can do this kind of work. If you've walked this earth, you've experienced trauma or some other form of mental health issue. There's a lot of love and health to be fostered out there, and you can help make that happen!"