Elizabeth Snyder, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, received her MS in Psychology from Western Washington University in 2000. She has training in the areas of Cognitive Behavior therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Existential-Phenomenological Therapy. Elizabeth maintains a clinical practice serving mostly young adults and adolescents as well as assists Dr. Evan Freedman with forensic psychological and parenting evaluations. She serves as the President of the Board of Directors for Kids’ Council Northwest, an organization that provides support and resources to youth experiencing grief and loss from the death of a parent, caregiver or sibling. She has volunteered with Camp Willie and Treehouse, programs that support children and families who have experienced a death.  Elizabeth has worked in the mental health field for over ten years.  She was raised in Bellingham and has a deep connection with this community.  For more information about Elizabeth please see this http://www.freedman-associates.com/. 

Karen is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Washington State.  She received her M.A.in Child, Couple, Family Therapy and in Art Therapy from Antioch University Seattle. Karen completed intensive training in DBT and provides weekly individual DBT therapy for teens and young adults. She brings warmth, sensitivity, and humor into her work.   Other areas she specializes in are: couples counseling; women’s issues; sexuality; parenting issues; anxiety; depression; trauma; and loss and grief.  For the past several years Karen has served as a clinical staff member/art therapist at Camp Erin and Camp Willie – grief camps for children/teens.

She is passionate about her work and in continuing to explore expressive arts as a catalyst for self-awareness and healing.  Her extensive training in the field of Art Therapy enhances her ability to facilitate client goals and to create a more collaborative treatment environment.  Karen maintains a private practice located in Fairhaven.  She is a native Washingtonian and enjoys: spending time with her 4 children, family, friends, nature, sunsets, coffee, gardening, and projects that inspire and challenge her “creativity.”  For more info about Karen and her private practice see www.therapyinbellingham.com

Riannon Bardsley, BA

Throughout all of these experiences her dedication to her community and to people who were asking for help never wavered. In 2006, Riannon moved to Bellingham, WA where she began working at NWYS in the Whatcom Transitional Living Program. This is also when Riannon took on one of her biggest challenges to-date; parenting. In 2007, Riannon and her partner became foster parents and have invited many loving and needy children from Whatcom County into their home.
The newest challenge in Riannon’s life is as Executive Director of NWYS. Riannon is excited about this opportunity to continue to offer and provide support, direction and hope to those in her community that are less fortunate.  She is trained intensively trained in DBT.  For more information on Riannon see www.nwys.org.