Clinical Staff

Kaitlyn received her training at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology where she developed a psychodynamic approach to counseling. Most recently she worked in a community mental health setting serving individuals who struggle with both mental illness and chemical dependency issues. Through this work, she incorporated DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) to her existing psychodynamic perspective, all of which inform her work at APA. Kaitlyn has a strong passion for working in the intersection of mental health and substance use issues, and has a strong admiration for those who strive toward healing.

Amy’s inspiration to work with people began with her experience as a VISTA Volunteer on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in 1968. She later completed her Bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology, and went on to develop and direct a Women’s Resource Center for the YWCA. In 1978, she became the Director of the Alcohol Treatment Program for the Tulalip Tribes. As a part of a unique Masters Program through Goddard College, Amy mentored and trained with leading psychiatrists and psychologists in Gestalt Therapy, Transactional Analysis, Humanistic Psychology and Psychoanalysis. Most recently Amy has trained with experts in the field of Mindfulness Meditation for Relapse Prevention and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

She has had a thriving private therapy practice in Seattle since 1987. She is licensed as a Chemical Dependency Professional and Certified Counselor with the State of Washington. She has been providing group and individual therapy at A Positive Alternative since 1998 and guiding and supervising our clinical staff since 2008.

Andrea began her work as a Chemical Dependency counselor in 1990 after completing the Addiction Studies Program at Seattle University. She has a BA in Holistic Psychology and Counseling from Antioch University and a MA in Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University. She draws from Person Centered and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapies to support clients in achieving well being and the quality of life they desire.

Her dedication to respectful holistic treatment and her quest for better ways to meet client needs led Andrea to a Positive Alternative. She facilitates groups, provides individual therapy, and is often the first person individuals speak with when they call A.P.A. for information about our program. Her ability to connect, offer compassion, and present a thorough picture of what may best suit their needs is reassuring to callers who often feel vulnerable when seeking help. This initial contact opens the door to treatment and desired change. She has been providing group and individual counseling and working as resources coordinator at A Positive Alternative since 2009.

Kimberly received her BA from the University of Washington and subsequently spent almost 20 years in the insurance industry. Her passion for working with people in recovery began when she started volunteering at the Men’s Recovery Program with Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission in 2010. This inspired her to pursue a Counseling Psychology MA at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. After graduating, she continued her work in the recovery community doing psychodynamic, relational counseling and process group work with men in individual treatment and in groups. Kimberly believes in the integrative approach to recovery which recognizes the importance of taking care of the mind as well as the body. Kimberly began with APA in September of 2018, and is pleased to be working with the Men’s Program. She believes that our past shapes us but does not permanently define us. In her work, she encourages clients to discover the person they have not yet become but hope to be.

Christine earned a B.A. from The University of Arizona and a Master’s Degree in Education from Western Washington University. She taught Language Arts and Visual Arts in public high school for 15 years before pivoting towards her work in recovery. She is an ICF Certified Wayfinder Life Coach, a She Recovers Coach, and the mother of two teenage boys. She has a private coaching practice working with women in recovery.

Her approach to recovery focuses on the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual systems that need updating when we choose to let go of coping strategies that are no longer working. She believes that sobriety is a super-power and that all women deserve to create a life they don’t need to escape from. Christine is a Women’s Group facilitator at A Positive Alternative. In addition, she also hosts weekly online gatherings and monthly in person local sharing circles in Seattle. 

Amanda earned her MA in Addiction Counseling from the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School for Addiction Studies. Her training focused on integrated care for co-occurring disorders. Amanda utilizes a person-centered approach in her counseling style and believes in meeting clients where they are in order to best guide them in their sobriety journey. As a co-occurring disorders counselor, Amanda understands the importance of an integrated approach to treating those with both mental health and substance use challenges.

Prior to joining APA, Amanda was an IOP group facilitator and substance use counselor at Hazelden Betty Ford in Bellevue. She is inspired by people who are compelled to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and make positive changes in their lives and is honored to work with these people at APA.

After 10 years of working with people seeking recovery from substance use, Eli decided to pursue a graduate degree at Antioch University in Couple and Family Therapy and Drama Therapy to get formal clinical training and become a therapist. Eli’s therapeutic approach is rooted in attachment theory, family systems, role theory (similar to internal family systems) and humanistic psychology.

As a person in recovery himself and one whose family and community has been affected by substance use, Eli is passionate about supporting those who are struggling in their relationship with substances. He believes that the core of substance misuse centers around a lack of connection to the Self, to others and to the world in a meaningful way. A Positive Alternative aligns strongly with Eli’s beliefs about the recovery process, and he has been a longtime supporter of APA prior to working here.

A WORD of GRATITUDE for the FOUNDER

Catherine Trestrail founded A Positive Alternative in 1990 under the name of Women’s Recovery Center and pioneered the use of a number of critically different approaches to substance use treatment.

Since the outpatient treatment center’s inception, Catherine advocated gender specific treatment and an effective holistic approach that doesn’t involve AA or 12-step as it’s foundation. By holding firm in her belief that AA and 12-step was simply one approach to recovery and not the only or best for everyone, she helped set the stage for expanding views on treatment in the entire recovery community.

Without her courage, at a time when her views were considered controversial, our clinical staff would not have been able to successfully serve the hundreds of clients who sought an outpatient treatment center for their care.

Much appreciation for her contributions.

“I like the format of programs. I like the groups of women in the program. Our facilitator, Amy, is amazing-very nurturing as well as informative.”

Female, 56