Director
Congratulations on taking the courageous first step toward your own healing and growth. I’m Arilda Surridge, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Washington State and the founder of Wellness Counseling Inc.
Clinically, I bring a wealth of experience and specialized training. I’m a Certified EMDRIA EMDR Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant, as well as a Level 3 Gottman-trained Couples Therapist and Certified Gottman Leader in The 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work. My specialties include trauma, anxiety, depression, and couples counseling, with a focus on healing relationships impacted by affairs and trauma.
My therapeutic approach is integrative and evidence-based. I combine EMDR Therapy with advanced protocols such as ASSYST, PRECI, IGTP, Sandra Paulsen’s Early Trauma Protocol, and Looking Through the Eyes of Trauma and Dissociation. I also incorporate Gottman Method Couples Therapy, CBT, and Mindfulness to create individualized care. For those seeking accelerated progress, I offer EMDR Intensives and Couples Counseling Intensives/Marathons, alongside traditional weekly sessions.
Beyond direct client work, I am deeply committed to supporting the professional growth of therapists. I serve as an Approved Clinical Supervisor in Washington State and design Continuing Education (CE) courses and trainings that integrate both clinical expertise and wellness.
In addition to my clinical practice, I bring a strong background in entrepreneurship and leadership. Through Wellness Counseling Inc., I have developed international therapist retreats, CE trainings, and business-owner retreats that uniquely blend personal renewal with professional development. My mission is not only to help individuals and couples heal, but also to empower therapists and business owners to grow sustainably and thrive.
I provide both telehealth sessions and in-person therapy on Bainbridge Island, WA, making services accessible no matter where you are.
Co-Director
I welcome you to heal and grow from individual and/or relational stress in a professional, emphatic and validating therapeutic environment. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and owner of Wellness Center Inc. with 9 years of experience working with individuals, couples and families. I am English-Spanish bilingual. My relational therapy specialty is in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples and Families, which focuses on improving the emotional connection between people. I completed the EFT Externship at the Vancouver Couple and Family Institute in British Columbia, Canada and the Core Skills Training at Alliant University San Diego. My individual therapy specialty is in EMDR, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), which is a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) treatment, that focuses on Emotional Regulation, Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance and Interpersonal Effectiveness. I am licensed in the state of CA and WA, and able to offer telehealth/online therapy for those seeking therapy and live/reside in these two states.
Therapist
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate and hold a Master’s degree in Counseling specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy from San Diego State University. As an immigrant, I faced various life changes, societal and social pressures which affected my mental health; therefore, I have first hand experience dealing with life transitions, cultural identity issues, and navigating trauma. Additionally, I have worked with immigrant families navigating cultural adjustments, parenting, and strengthening family bonds. I am bilingual in English and Tagalog, and can conduct therapy services in both languages. I am also passionate in advocating for accessible high quality mental health care especially in Asian American communities in order to combat mental health stigma. Outside of my therapist role, I love being in nature (walking, hiking, kayaking), practicing yoga, mindfulness meditation, cuddling with my dogs, trying new cuisines, and traveling to new places.
Therapist
I am a dedicated African American Marriage and Family Therapist Associate who values the importance of representation in mental health and supporting clients through life’s ever-changing challenges. As a proud southern native, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Sciences with an emphasis in Family Relations from The University of Southern Mississippi and my Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from The University of Alabama. I bring warmth, charm, and a deep commitment to guiding individuals, couples, and families through their therapeutic journey. My approach is collaborative, nonjudgmental, and empowering, creating a safe space for clients to explore vulnerability and growth both in and out of the therapy room. Trained in various therapeutic models, including Narrative Therapy, Bowen Family Therapy, Conjoint Therapy, Discernment Counseling, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Sandtray, and Theraplay, I tailor my practice to meet each client’s unique needs. Outside of my work, I embrace life’s joys through travel and adventure, striving to live every moment to the fullest.
Therapist
I am a licensed mental health counselor associate. I graduated with my master’s in clinical mental health counseling from Gonzaga University. I provide a warm, accepting space for people to explore what matters to them and what’s getting in their way. I help clients learn to feel more comfortable with their emotions, to experiment with different ways of relating to their thoughts and feelings, to cultivate resilience, and to develop the self-trust and self-compassion that will support them along their paths. I have a particular interest in working with young adults, people navigating times of transition or loss, and people struggling to find purpose and meaning in their lives. I welcome anyone who feels I may be a good fit. I use an integrative approach, drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions. My practice is grounded in social justice principles and I am engaged in ongoing work to ensure I provide competent, affirming care to all of my clients. In my free time, I like cooking, gardening, nature walks, meditating, reading, photography, traveling and spending quality time with family and friends.
Connect with Us
We are actively seeking new clinicians to join our team, if interested and would like more information please send us an email with your resume.
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