Mckenna Paddock
Online Therapy
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Associate
Washington
https://www.playful-minds-seattle.com/About Mckenna
I’m so glad you’ve found your way here! You can call me Mckenna or Kenna (they/them). I identify as Queer, neurodivergent, a “spoonie”, and was raised on the unceded land of the Duwamish people, now known as Seattle. As an ally to those with marginalized identities, I’m grounded in the belief that our collective liberation is interconnected. I recognize how structural harms shape our experiences and healing journeys, and I’m committed to creating an inclusive, gender-affirming, sex-positive space rooted in Health at Every Size, and beyond. My work blends Liberation Psychology and Feminist Theory, striving to be authentic, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive.
I hold a MA from Antioch University Seattle, trained in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy and am currently accepting new clients at Playful Minds Counseling. I have experience providing LGBTQIA2S+ and neurodivergent-affirming care to teens and young adults navigating their sexual orientation and gender exploration, life transitions, family dynamics (particularly for children of immigrants and third culture individuals), disability & chronic illness, trauma/PTSD/C-PTSD, and suicidal ideation. I believe in the healing power of the creative arts and will introduce you to art therapy. Whether or not we incorporate art in our work together, creativity can show up in many ways, and I look forward to exploring that with you.
Costs and Insurance
$175 - 250 per session
Out of Pocket
Aetna
Anthem
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Cigna
First Choice Health
Premera Blue Cross of Washington
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I’ve been using art in my own healing for as long as I can remember. After spending ten years in direct service work—where I was passionate about what I was doing but felt like I was missing key tools to truly support those I worked with—I decided to become a therapist. I’m motivated by the wisdom of elders who taught me that my liberation is connected to yours, and that healing truly happens in community.
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
I wish I could tell them that they are not alone in that experience. I would also share that therapy doesn’t work for everyone, and you won’t know if it’s right for you until you give it a try. You’re here for a reason, and my role as a therapist is to be here for you. Therapy is not something I do to you—it’s something we create together, grounded in trust, curiosity, and compassion. I meet you where you are, honoring you as the expert of your own life and experiences. Wherever you are on your healing journey, it’s a privilege to witness the complexity and beauty that make you uniquely human.
How do you work with clients with trauma and PTSD?
Trauma can show up in countless ways, impacting our minds, bodies, and overall lives. With ten years of experience working with individuals affected by various forms of trauma, including PTSD and Complex-PTSD, I take a trauma-informed approach that prioritizes harm reduction. I personalize my approach for each person, but I’ve found that combining trauma-informed somatic experiencing, Internal Family Systems interventions, and creative arts can be particularly effective in supporting healing.
How does child or adolescent therapy work and how can it help?
Every therapy experience is unique, just like each individual. I have extensive experience working with teens and deeply value the complexities of this stage in life. Adolescence is a time of seeking autonomy while still being dependent on those around you, which can create tension and challenges in connection. This is where I’ve found the creative arts to be especially helpful, as they offer a way to express what can be difficult to put into words, fostering deeper understanding and connection.
Interested in talking?
Costs and Insurance
$175 - 250 per session
Out of Pocket
Aetna
Anthem
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Cigna
First Choice Health
Premera Blue Cross of Washington
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon
Specialties
Individual Therapy
ADHD
Anxiety
Autism
Career Counseling
Chronic Illness and Pain
Depression
Client Focuses
Non-Binary
Age Groups
Preteen
Teen
Adult
Approaches
Art Therapy
Expressive Arts
Feminist
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Multicultural