Madison Clay
LCSWA
Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate
License Number SWIA.SC.70135606
Therapy for individuals and couples in Seattle, WA, and online throughout Washington State.
You long to feel like you are “enough” in your friendships, romantic relationships, work, and family life. Your mind races to find what’s going wrong, instead of all that is going right, leaving you unable to feel a greater sense of peace and ease.
This lack of safety shows up in many areas of your life. In relationships, you may seek reassurance from others, hoping that it would bring relief, but the comfort doesn’t last. When someone you love seems distant or pulls away, you may feel unsettled and unsure of where you stand. It can be difficult to fully trust that your relationships are secure and dependable when your nervous system is telling you otherwise.
These patterns can show up at work. You may question whether you are truly capable or deserving of your success, leading you to work harder to prove your worth. Even when you accomplish something, you might chalk it up to luck or timing, waiting for things to fall apart.
When life feels unpredictable, a deeper question often comes up: Can I trust that I will be ok?
At the heart of that question is a desire to feel safe, not only in your relationships and in the world around you, but within yourself. You want to trust the people you love, trust your own instincts, and feel confident in your ability to navigate whatever life brings.
This pattern of feeling unsafe often has roots in experiences where life felt unpredictable or beyond your control, times when you felt powerless, experienced grief or loss, or were navigating major life transitions you didn’t choose for yourself. This might include living with chronic illness, experiencing challenges with fertility or getting pregnant, losing someone you love, or facing other unexpected changes that reshaped your sense of stability and security.
In therapy, we’ll work together to explore patterns that shape your life, understand the emotional wounds beneath them, and create new experiences of connection, safety, and trust. I will support you in developing a deeper sense of self-trust, resilience, and safety within yourself so you can meet life’s inevitable uncertainties with greater confidence and peace.
I can be a light in the dark and a bridge back to connection with yourself and your loved ones.
I am warm and direct, and I will walk alongside you as you work toward your goals. I’ll offer honesty, accountability, and a steady presence as we navigate the discomfort and challenges that can come with meaningful growth. My goal is to help you feel supported while also gently challenging you to move toward the changes you want to make.
My approach is grounded in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), an evidence-based, depth-oriented, and experiential approach to therapy. I am deeply relational in my work and believe our relationships, with ourselves and with others, can be powerful sources of healing. Together, we will create tangible change you can actually feel.
Clinical Specialties
ADHD
Sports Performance
Perfectionism
Imposter Syndrom
Self-esteem
Depression
Anxiety
Racial Identity
Racial Trauma
Multicultural Issues
Sexual Identity
Women’s Issues
Attachment Wounds
Anxious Attachment
Avoidant Attachment
Couples Counseling
Sex Therapy
Dating
Interracial Relationships
Codependency
Family Conflict
Fees
Phone Consultation |
15 minutes |
Free |
Individual Intake Session |
60 minutes |
$170 |
Individual Therapy Session |
60 minutes |
$150 |
Couples Intake Session |
60 minutes |
$220 |
Couples Therapy Session |
60 minutes |
$200 |
I am an out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance directly. Services provided by an associate therapist are not eligible for insurance reimbursement, so superbills are not available. All clients are responsible for private payment for services.
You have the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Bio
I am from Santa Clara, California, and have lived in Washington, D.C., Boston, and now Seattle, where I have lived for the past four years. I am a biracial therapist with lived experience with ADHD. Growing up as a biracial person gave me an early, personal understanding of what it means to hold multiple identities at once. That experience has shaped my interest in exploring identity, nuance, and the need for belonging that we all possess.
Making sense of family origins and the stories we tell ourselves is part of what brought me to this work. I’m drawn to strengthening relationships and helping people heal parts of themselves, past and present, through connection with others.
In my free time, I can be found playing volleyball, surfing, snowboarding, biking, finding jazz shows, oil painting, playing card games, and teaching yoga.
Education and Career
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Tufts University, then spent several years contributing to psychosocial, sexual health, and microbiome oncology research studies. This led me back to the University of Washington, where I earned a Master of Social Work and completed a specialized oncology and palliative care traineeship, along with a Master of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology. Along the way, I have worked at a perinatal therapy program within a non-profit organization. My path has spanned cancer and other chronic illnesses and perinatal mental health, from adolescence to end of life. Sitting with people through the full range of human experiences, moments of great joy and immense grief, has called me to this work.
Certifications and Trainings
Emotionally Focused Therapy Fundamentals
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Externship
Gottman Method Level 1
Gottman Method Level 2
200-hour Certified Yoga Teacher
Perinatal Peer/Parent Support Training
Professional Affiliations
Washington Mental Health Counselors Association
Start Therapy in Seattle, Washington
If you are ready to begin the challenging but worthy work of changing your patterns and reaching your full potential, we are ready to help. To start your therapy journey, follow these simple steps:
02
Meet Your Therapist
Meet with one of our talented licensed therapist or licensed psychologists
03
Start The Journey
Start your journey to healing and uncovering your most authentic self
Seattle Counseling Office
Our office is located in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle.
5306 Ballard Ave NW,
Seattle, WA
Can’t make it into the office? We also offer online therapy for your convenience.
Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if we are a good fit.
