Iris Chiang LMHCA

Pronouns: she/they

Hello, I’m so glad you’re here! 

I am a social justice-oriented clinical mental health counselor specializing in creative arts therapy. I believe in providing affirmative mental health care to intersectional marginalized communities through an anti-oppressive lens. I believe that the systems of modern mental health counseling were built on oppressive systems of power and privilege (e.g., patriarchal and white dominated ideals) that affect both professional counselors and clients.

As a person-centered and trauma- informed therapist, I integrate multiple theories, such as liberation psychology, polyvagal theory, somatic work, and internal family systems (IFS). My approach is informed from a multicultural and social justice lens because I believe that your experience is implicitly and explicitly impacted by culture and systems at large. It is my job to provide awareness and education within these social contexts in our therapeutic relationship. I aim to assist in the positive change of society through providing services as a therapist, advocating for the disadvantaged, and being a steward to the community.

I am trained as an art therapist, so we can use art and creativity as a tool in session if/when it feels appropriate and welcome. My approach is collaborative and strengths-based, and I use socioculturally attuned modalities. I earnestly intend to provide an emotionally safe and welcoming therapeutic space, where you experience unconditional acceptance for your whole personhood.

While I have experience working with folks of various ages and with a wide variety of identities and lifestyles, I specialize in working with QTBIPOC folk, immigrants, and refugees experiencing the complexities involved with having marginalized identities in the United States and around the world, such as culture shock, acculturation, assimilation, marginalization, language/cultural barriers, and mental health stigma.

In our work together, we will use an intersectional framework to explore how the many facets of your identity impact you and use verbal and non-verbal modalities to help you achieve your goals. I will work collaboratively with you to address your struggles and concerns and together we will identify long-term goals for you that are meaningful and measurable. On this therapeutic journey, my goal is to provide a safe, judgment-free space for you. My worldview and theoretical approach is multicultural, feminist, humanistic, and social justice and trauma-informed with the supplemental usage of the visual embodied arts.

Outside of counseling, I love visiting new places and painting murals. I enjoy a good hike and camping under the stars. The rest of my time is spent traveling, eating good food, reading, spending time in nature, and making art. I am looking forward to connecting and creating with you!

Iris is in-network with Premera, Cigna, Regence, First Choice, Kaiser, LifeWise, Anthem and some other Blue Cross plans. Please be aware that Protea Wellness cannot accept insurance for couple's therapy.

Iris' fees:

• 50-minute session: $175

• 80-minute session: $260

I graduated with a master's clinical mental health counseling program with a specialization in art therapy at Antioch University Seattle. I earned a bachelor of arts degree in Psychological Sciences and Art Studies from Belmont University. Prior to graduate school, I worked for a number of non-profit organizations committed to social justice for disenfranchised communities and mental health programs in different cultural contexts around the world.