About Us



In 2022, therapists and close friends Jessica, Connie, and Elizabeth embarked on a journey to create a safe, nurturing space focused on trauma recovery. Together, these friends-turned-founders worked to create an environment that encourages personal growth alongside genuine human connection. Fueled by their shared vision, they founded the Bellevue Trauma Recovery Center® (BTRC).
The BTRC became a passion project that combined their expertise and unwavering commitment to informed, ethical, and compassionate care. The BTRC was carefully curated as a space where individuals can find relief and support on their path to recovery and resilience. The BTRC instills hope for those seeking healing from past traumas through innovative therapeutic approaches and a nurturing environment.
Jessica, Connie, and Elizabeth envision each person leaving the BTRC with a renewed realization of their inner strength and increased self-trust. The founders and clinicians at the BTRC hope that each person who receives treatment from us will leave knowing they possess the resilience necessary to navigate life’s challenges.
Please check out this video below for insight into how the BTRC supports trauma recovery with evidence based treatments , compassionate care, and intensive programs.
Resilience
The ability to adapt that enables not only recovery but also proactive learning and growth through overcoming adversity.
Meet the Team!
Amanda Pavlenko
BTRC Administrative Lead
Amanda coordinates all BTRC administrative tasks and is responsible for supporting clients with excellent and friendly customer service. She assists with scheduling, billing, and can answer any questions about the wide array of BTRC services.
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Amanda coordinates all BTRC administrative tasks and is responsible for supporting clients with excellent and friendly customer service. She assists with scheduling, billing, and can answer any questions about the wide array of BTRC services.
Amanda is trained as a medical assistant and has worked to support several departments, including audiology,
otolaryngology, and phlebotomy. Additionally, she draws on her experience as a patient intake specialist and as an administrative assistant at two major health care organizations to assist the BTRC team in providing excellent care.
Amanda likes to spend her free time outdoors or practicing yoga and loves to spend time with her husband and two fur babies.
Danielle Slavin
Billing and Operations Specialist
Meet Danielle, our dedicated billing and operations specialist at The Bellevue Trauma Recovery Center. With her exceptional attention to detail and understanding of healthcare billing and operational processes, Danielle ensures that our clients can focus on their healing and recovery without the stress of administrative or billing complications.
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Meet Danielle, our dedicated billing and operations specialist at The Bellevue Trauma Recovery Center. With her exceptional attention to detail and understanding of healthcare billing and operational processes, Danielle ensures that our clients can focus on their healing and recovery without the stress of administrative or billing complications.
As the go-to person for all billing questions and concerns, Danielle brings clarity to billing processes and payment options. Her expertise extends beyond simple transaction handling, she works to support clients with out-of-network insurance benefits by collaborating closely with Mentaya, all while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality, accuracy, and compliance. Additionally, Danielle oversees key operational tasks, ensuring the center runs smoothly and efficiently.
Her warm, professional approach ensures that every client interaction is handled with care and understanding. In Danielle’s free time, she loves to spend time in nature, tend to her growing mini homestead, and explore the PNW with her husband and two sons.
Elizabeth Abbruzza
MA, LMHC, LPC, CCPS, CCBRT-C
Clinical Director
Elizabeth, the Co-Founder and Clinical Director of the Bellevue Trauma Recovery Center, brings a wealth of experience from pediatric hospital care, residential treatment, intensive outpatient programs, and private practice. With a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Gonzaga University, she is licensed to practice in both Washington and Colorado.
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Elizabeth, the Co-Founder and Clinical Director of the Bellevue Trauma Recovery Center, brings a wealth of experience from pediatric hospital care, residential treatment, intensive outpatient programs, and private practice. With a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Gonzaga University, she is licensed to practice in both Washington and Colorado.
Elizabeth specializes in supporting individuals and relationships in distress due to betrayal, infidelity, and sex addiction. She works with partners, couples, and families facing the painful impact of broken trust, guiding them through the challenges of relational rupture, trauma responses, and high-conflict dynamics.
She is a Certified Clinical Partner Specialist (CCPS) through the Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists (APSATS) and a Certified Clinical Betrayal Recovery Therapist (CCBRT-C) through the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP). These advanced credentials reflect her expertise in treating betrayal trauma, supporting betrayed partners, and helping couples navigate the complexities of recovery after sex addiction or infidelity.
Elizabeth is also certified in Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT), a neurobiologically informed approach that facilitates rapid trauma integration. By combining ETT with attachment-based frameworks and nervous system regulation strategies, she helps clients stabilize after relational trauma, foster growth, and rebuild secure connections.
Her clinical practice also includes treating those struggling with problematic sexual behaviors and sex addiction, offering compassionate yet direct support that promotes accountability, healing, and healthier intimacy. This dual perspective enables her to walk alongside both partners and individuals in recovery, helping restore safety and hope even in high-conflict situations.
In addition to her clinical work, Elizabeth is a national speaker on the neurobiology of betrayal and relational healing, presenting through webinars, conferences, and podcasts. She is committed to raising awareness of how betrayal impacts the nervous system and attachment, and to equipping others with trauma-informed tools for recovery.
As Clinical Director, Elizabeth designs and oversees programs, mentors and trains clinicians, and ensures the highest standards of care at the Center. She also serves as a primary therapist in the Resilience Through Betrayal intensive programs, where she guides clients through the intricate process of healing with compassion, structure, and expertise.
Elizabeth’s work is defined by her dedication to helping individuals and couples rebuild trust, restore balance, and recover a sense of safety and connection in relationships impacted by betrayal and sex addiction.
Education & Credentials:
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)
Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State (LMHC)
Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado State (LPC)
Washington State Approved Clinical Supervisor
Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 1
APSATS Certified Clinical Partner Specialist (CCPS)
Certified ETT Complex Trauma Therapist
Certified ETT Somatic Psychotherapist
Certified ETT Addictions Therapist
Certified Couple Betrayal Recovery Therapist Candidate (CCBRT-C)
Speaking Engagements:
03/2023
Restoring Hearts Women’s Conference: The Impact of Emotional Transformation Therapy and Reducing Betrayal Trauma Symptoms
03/2024
The Society for Advancement of Sexual Health: Emotional Regulation and the Treatment of Betrayal Trauma Symptoms
02/2025
The Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists (APSATS) Conference: The Neurobiology of Betrayal and Strategies for Increased Emotional Regulation
Dr. Connie Zollner
Psy.D, LMHC, LPC, CCPS, CSAT
Director of Operations
Connie is a Co-Founder and Director of Operations at the Bellevue Trauma Recovery Center (BTRC). She earned her doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology from Northwest University and holds licenses in Colorado, Oregon (LPC) and Washington (LMHC). Her career spans roles in pediatric behavioral healthcare, intensive in-patient programs, university counseling centers, and private practice. Connie specializes in neuro-affirming care, advocating for undersupported groups such as neurodiverse individuals within the autism community, women, late-life identified individuals, and BIPOC communities. Her unique specialities include betrayal trauma, navigating the complexities of neurodivergence, and compulsive or addictive behaviors including sex and technology based addictions.
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Connie is a Co-Founder and Director of Operations at the Bellevue Trauma Recovery Center (BTRC). She earned her doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology from Northwest University and holds licenses in Colorado, Oregon (LPC) and Washington (LMHC). Her career spans roles in pediatric behavioral healthcare, intensive in-patient programs, university counseling centers, and private practice. Connie specializes in neuro-affirming care, advocating for undersupported groups such as neurodiverse individuals within the autism community, women, late-life identified individuals, and BIPOC communities. Her unique specialities include betrayal trauma, navigating the complexities of neurodivergence, and compulsive or addictive behaviors including sex and technology based addictions.
Connie takes a holistic and affirming approach to treatment, always considering the unique needs of each individual. Her expertise includes guiding individuals through challenges such as infidelity, problematic pornography use, and compulsive behaviors, while also addressing sensory needs, social needs, regulation skills, and communication styles.
As a trauma-informed therapist, Connie understands the profound impact of trauma on the brain and body. She is a level four trained therapist in Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT), which she uses to help clients rapidly integrate trauma, fostering resilience and aiding in recovery. Additionally, Connie is both an APSATS-certified clinical partner specialist (CCPS) and a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), which gives her the ability to support and hold balanced space for both sides of a partnership when navigating the impacts of betrayal trauma, problematic sexual behaviors, sex addiction, and out-of-control technology-based behaviors. She acknowledges the distressing and disruptive effects these behaviors can have on her clients and their families and works to bring clients clarity and understanding so they can make changes and decisions that fit best for their life. Her work aims to foster resilience, facilitate recovery, and deepen self-understanding.
Connie has also undergone rigorous training in comprehensive psychological assessments for a variety of diagnostic outcomes, including autism and ADHD. Her training has included integrating neuro-inclusive interventions and assessments into her sessions, autism evaluations, and assessment reports. By utilizing evidence-based practices, Connie is able to develop treatment plans and evaluations that are tailored to each client’s unique circumstances, fostering change and deepening self understanding.
In her role as Director of Operations at the BTRC, Connie is driven to create a nurturing environment that promotes health and healing for all. She is deeply committed to establishing dynamic organizational strategies and policies that meet the evolving needs of clients and clinicians. Her responsibilities encompass overseeing business procedures, coordinating daily operations, providing administrative supervision, and fostering an inclusive atmosphere. Beyond her administrative role, Connie is one of the primary therapists for the Resilience Through Betrayal intensive programs in Bellevue, WA.
Education & Credentials:
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D)
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MA)
Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State (LMHC)
Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado State (LPC)
Licensed Professional Counselor in Oregon State (LPC)
Washington State Approved Clinical Supervisor
APSATS Certified Clinical Partner Specialist (CCPS)
Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT)
Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT): Levels 1-4
Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 1 & 2
Certified ETT Complex Trauma Therapist
Certified ETT Somatic Psychotherapist
Certified ETT Addictions Therapist
Speaking Engagements:
05/2025
International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) Symposium: The Intersection of Autism and Compulsive Sexual Behavior: Clinical Considerations and How to Provide Affirming Care
02/2025
The Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists (APSATS) Conference: Neurodiversity and the Impact on Partners and Couples
Dr. Jessica Lamar
Psy.D, LMHC, LPC, CPTT, CCBRT-C
Director of Business Development and Strategy
Jessica serves as the Co-Founder and Director of Business Development and Strategy at the Bellevue Trauma Recovery Center (BTRC). With a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Arizona School of Professional Psychology, she brings a depth of knowledge and experience to her role. A Licensed Mental Health Therapist in Washington and Colorado, Jessica has devoted her career to helping individuals and families navigate the complex path of trauma recovery and significant life transitions in forensic, intensive, and outpatient settings.
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Jessica serves as the Co-Founder and Director of Business Development and Strategy at the Bellevue Trauma Recovery Center (BTRC). With a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Arizona School of Professional Psychology, she brings a depth of knowledge and experience to her role. A Licensed Mental Health Therapist in Washington and Colorado, Jessica has devoted her career to helping individuals and families navigate the complex path of trauma recovery and significant life transitions in forensic, intensive, and outpatient settings.
Jessica’s clinical focus is rooted in supporting clients through the intricacies of life-altering changes, with particular expertise in Betrayal Trauma. She is deeply committed to honoring the grief process and believes that BTRC’s trauma-informed, intensive treatment model provides a vital space for meaningful and compassionate healing.
Jessica also leads webinars and frequently speaks on the intersection of Disenfranchised Grief and Betrayal Trauma. Her dedication to advancing understanding in this field is matched by her clinical expertise as a certified ETT therapist, Certified Partner Trauma Therapist (CPTT), and as a Certified Couple Betrayal Recovery Therapist Candidate (CCBRT-C). She employs an attachment-focused, interpersonal therapy approach to help clients achieve rapid trauma recovery.
Jessica is also extensively trained in addressing problematic sexual behaviors and sex addiction, bringing vital insight into the complex challenges and emotional impacts these issues can create. Her comprehensive expertise ensures she offers clients a truly supportive and effective recovery process.
As Director of Business Development and Strategy, Jessica plays a pivotal role in the growth and evolution of BTRC. She facilitates community partnerships, provides psychoeducation to other professionals, and applies innovative strategies to enhance client care and operational excellence. Additionally, as one of BTRC’s primary individual therapists for its intensive programs, she remains deeply engaged in guiding clients toward meaningful healing.
When she’s not working, Jessica embraces her personal passions, such as reading fiction, exploring the outdoors, discovering new restaurants, and cherishing time with her loved ones. These moments of connection and reflection fuel her dedication to supporting those navigating their paths to recovery.
Education & Credentials:
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D)
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS)
Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State (LMHC)
Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado State (LPC)
Washington State Approved Clinical Supervisor
IITAP Certified Partner Trauma Therapist (CPTT)
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
Certified Grief Professional (CGP)
Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT): Levels 1-4
Certified ETT Complex Trauma Therapist
Certified ETT Somatic Psychotherapist
Certified ETT Addictions Therapist
Certified ETT Couples Therapist
Certified Couple Betrayal Recovery Therapist Candidate (CCBRT-C)
Speaking Engagements:
05/2025
International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) Symposium: The Intersection of Autism and Compulsive Sexual Behavior: Clinical Considerations and How to Provide Affirming Care
03/2023
Restoring Hearts Women’s Conference: The Impact of Emotional Transformation Therapy and Reducing Betrayal Trauma Symptoms
03/2024
The Society for Advancement of Sexual Health: Emotional Regulation and the Treatment of Betrayal Trauma Symptoms
Mary-Frances Moore
M.Ed, LMHC, CCTP-II
Clinical Lead
Mary-Frances Moore is an individual and couples therapist committed to supporting clients as they navigate life’s challenges and heal from trauma. With an M.Ed. in Counseling from the University of Houston and a license to practice in Washington State, she brings deep clinical expertise and a compassionate stance to her work at the Bellevue Trauma Recovery Center (BTRC).
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Mary-Frances Moore is an individual and couples therapist committed to supporting clients as they navigate life’s challenges and heal from trauma. With an M.Ed. in Counseling from the University of Houston and a license to practice in Washington State, she brings deep clinical expertise and a compassionate stance to her work at the Bellevue Trauma Recovery Center (BTRC).
Mary-Frances recognizes that every client’s path is unique, and so is her approach. She draws from trauma-informed, psychodynamic, narrative, and existential modalities, often incorporating imagery of inner healing to engage the subconscious. Her specialized trauma work includes Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT) for PTSD, ensuring tailored and effective support.
She holds a dedicated focus on intergenerational trauma, survivors of abuse, betrayal trauma, infidelity recovery, substance use and recovery, out-of-control sexual behaviors (OCSB), and supporting neurodivergent individuals, including those with autism and ADHD. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP-II) and a graduate of MDMA therapy training, she is well-equipped to address complex trauma and offer healing through both cutting-edge and evidence-based methods.
Her clinical and programmatic experience includes developing and leading a Sexual Health in Recovery initiative, offering Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (IHRP), and serving as a psychedelic support facilitator in festival settings. She also has extensive experience with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders, ensuring that her clients receive comprehensive, integrated care.
In addition, Mary-Frances has undergone the Kintsugi Recovery Partners “Restoring Truth Disclosure Guide Training”, which trains professionals in a partner-betrayal sensitive, polyvagal-informed, trauma-informed model to facilitate truth disclosure after betrayal.
Mary-Frances places at the center of her work the concept of inner healing intelligence: the understanding that, much like a skin wound intuitively heals, the brain and body hold innate wisdom to recover from trauma. With support, clients can access that inner resilience in a safe therapeutic container.
In her sessions, Mary-Frances strives to create a client-centered, safe environment where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered. Whether working through betrayal, substance use recovery, or neurodivergence, she supports clients step by step. Her guiding principle is simple yet profound: it is possible to heal from the past, navigate life’s complexities, and build a more hopeful future.
Education and Credentials:
Master in Education in Counseling (M.Ed.)
Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington (LMHC)
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level 2(CCTP-II)
Certified Prolonged Exposure Therapist
Level 1 Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy
ETT level 1
Restoring Truth Disclosure Guide Training
Speaking Engagements:
03/2022
Inner Healing Intelligence: Guiding Clients Through Trauma: The Montrose Center“
02/2022
Sexual Health in Recovery: Baylor College of Medicine
04/2021
Sexual Health in Recovery: Southern Methodist University
02/2021
Sex-Drug Linked Behavior: The Montrose Center
12/2020
Substance Use, Harm Reduction, and Advancements in Psychedelic Research: Houston Association For Marriage and Family Therapy
08/2019
Substance Use, Harm Reduction, and Drug Interactions: The Montrose Center
Abby Carey
MA, LMHC, LPC, CMHS, NCC
Therapist
Abby is an individual and couples therapist at the Bellevue Trauma Recovery Center (BTRC). She earned her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Gonzaga University and is currently licensed to practice in both Washington, Texas, and Arizona. Throughout her career, Abby has prioritized fostering strong therapeutic relationships built on compassion for self and others. Practicing from a trauma-informed, integrative approach, Abby uses a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT).
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Abby is an individual and couples therapist at the Bellevue Trauma Recovery Center (BTRC). She earned her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Gonzaga University and is currently licensed to practice in both Washington, Texas, and Arizona. Throughout her career, Abby has prioritized fostering strong therapeutic relationships built on compassion for self and others. Practicing from a trauma-informed, integrative approach, Abby uses a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT).
With her expertise in ETT, Abby provides specialized trauma treatment that helps clients transform distressing emotions into healing experiences. This addition enhances her ability to support individuals dealing with deep emotional pain, offering them a path to recovery that is both effective and compassionate. Abby also offers ETT intensives, which are focused, short-term therapy sessions designed to accelerate emotional healing and provide clients with transformative results in a condensed timeframe.
Abby has a passion for supporting women in exploring their identity and navigating major life changes. This can include career transitions, becoming a parent, experiencing breakups, intimate partner betrayal, or dealing with loss. She also focuses on supporting those struggling with reproductive challenges, such as perinatal loss, fertility issues, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and navigating the termination of a pregnancy. Most recently, Abby has been dedicated to supporting those affected by challenging legislation and abortion bans, helping them process feelings of institutional betrayal.
As a clinician and a mother, Abby uniquely supports parents not only in their growth and well-being but also in the growth and well-being of their children. She is an inclusive and affirming therapist who empowers her clients to explore their stories through a nonjudgmental lens, fostering vulnerability, growth, and healing.
“When you invest in women, you invest in the people that invest in everyone else.” — Melinda Gates
Education & Credentials:
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC)
Washington State Child Mental Health Specialist (CMHS)
Perinatal Mental Health Professional
Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT): Level 2
Jenine Behnken
MA, LMHCA, CCPS-C
Therapist
Jenine is an individual and couples therapist at the Bellevue Trauma Recovery Center (BTRC). She earned her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Northwest University and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate in Washington State. Jenine brings warmth, compassion, and a deep commitment to creating safe, supportive spaces where clients can explore their stories and move toward healing.
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Jenine is an individual and couples therapist at the Bellevue Trauma Recovery Center (BTRC). She earned her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Northwest University and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate in Washington State. Jenine brings warmth, compassion, and a deep commitment to creating safe, supportive spaces where clients can explore their stories and move toward healing.
Practicing from a trauma-informed, integrative approach, Jenine draws from a variety of therapeutic models including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She has advanced training in the Gottman Method (Levels I and II) and specializes in working with couples using the Gottman Marathon Method—an intensive format designed to help couples address significant challenges and make meaningful progress in a condensed timeframe.
Jenine has also completed advanced training in betrayal trauma through the Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists (APSATS), equipping her with specialized expertise in supporting both betrayed partners and couples navigating recovery from infidelity and sexual addiction.
Before becoming a therapist, Jenine spent over a decade in human resources leadership, giving her a unique understanding of workplace dynamics, organizational stress, and professional burnout. She now specializes in treating workplace trauma, helping clients navigate challenging professional environments and heal from distressing experiences at work. Jenine also supports couples in addressing how workplace stress can impact their relationship and family system, guiding them toward greater balance and connection.
Her clinical experience includes working in private practice and school-based settings, where she supported clients managing anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, trauma, and relationship challenges. Jenine is especially focused on the treatment of betrayal trauma and complex PTSD, helping individuals and couples heal from the pain of broken trust and empowering them to create new pathways toward intimacy, recovery, and resilience.
Education & Credentials:
MA in Counseling Psychology from Northwest University
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) – Washington
Gottman Method Couples Therapy Levels 1-2
Gottman Method Couples Therapy Treating Affairs and Trauma
APSATS Certified Clinical Partner Specialist Candidate (CCPS-C)
Trauma Focused CBT (TF-CBT) trained therapist
Krysten Hardy
MA, LSWAIC, CCPS-C
Krysten Hardy is a Licensed Social Work Associate in Washington State who works with teens, young adults, and adults navigating the impact of trauma. She brings a calm, client-centered presence to her work, creating a space where clients can feel safe to share their stories, deepen self-understanding, and build the tools they need for healing.
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Krysten Hardy is a Licensed Social Work Associate in Washington State who works with teens, young adults, and adults navigating the impact of trauma. She brings a calm, client-centered presence to her work, creating a space where clients can feel safe to share their stories, deepen self-understanding, and build the tools they need for healing.
Her clinical focus includes supporting individuals impacted by betrayal and addiction within the family system, survivors of domestic violence, and members of the neurodiverse community. Krysten has completed advanced training in betrayal trauma through the Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists (APSATS), enhancing her expertise in helping betrayed partners and those healing from relational and sexual betrayal. She has a particular passion for working with teens and young adults struggling with compulsive behaviors such as technology overuse and out-of-control sexual behaviors. Krysten helps clients explore identity, manage life transitions, and strengthen resilience while addressing the underlying trauma that often drives these patterns. At the BTRC, she also facilitates groups in the Resilience Through Betrayal intensive programs.
Krysten’s background includes extensive work with adolescents in residential treatment, where she addressed high-risk behaviors such as suicidal ideation, self-injury, eating disorders, and substance use, guiding clients toward safety and recovery. She has provided outpatient therapy as well as confidential counseling at DAWN Rising (DAWN – Domestic Abuse Women’s Network), supporting survivors of intimate partner violence through a trauma-informed lens.
She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and frequently integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients build self-awareness, clarify values, and take meaningful steps toward recovery.
Krysten earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Washington, focusing on trauma-informed care and the intersections of psychological theory with social issues. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Western Washington University.
Education and Credentials
MA in Clinical Social Work from The University of Washington
Licensed Social Work Associate Independent Clinical (LSWAIC) – Washington
APSATS Certified Clinical Partner Specialist Candidate – CCPS-C
Eye Movement Desensetization Reprocessing (EMDR) trained therapist
Trauma Focused CBT (TF-CBT) trained therapist
Sarah Morales
CPC, CRC, APSATS-CPC
Certified Coach and RTB Support Specialist
Sarah Morales is a leading expert and thought leader on the topic of gaslighting, as well as a Certified Professional Coach, Certified Relationship Coach, and APSATS Certified Partner Coach. She is the founder of Sarah Morales Coaching and the creator of Deconstructing Gaslighting®️, a groundbreaking educational and training resource that provides programs for every facet of gaslighting experiences. These programs support victims of gaslighting, perpetrators in recovery, peer facilitators, and helping professionals, empowering them with the tools to heal and reclaim their power.
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Sarah Morales is a leading expert and thought leader on the topic of gaslighting, as well as a Certified Professional Coach, Certified Relationship Coach, and APSATS Certified Partner Coach. She is the founder of Sarah Morales Coaching and the creator of Deconstructing Gaslighting®️, a groundbreaking educational and training resource that provides programs for every facet of gaslighting experiences. These programs support victims of gaslighting, perpetrators in recovery, peer facilitators, and helping professionals, empowering them with the tools to heal and reclaim their power.
Sarah’s expertise was born out of her own experience of betrayal trauma in 2011. After discovering her then-husband’s hidden behaviors, she pursued healing and quickly realized her passion for helping others. She began her career under the mentorship of therapist Peter Daniels III at Therapy Works, where she created a thriving program for partners of addicts, facilitated workshops, and was introduced to the concept of gaslighting—a topic that would become her life’s work.
Since then, Sarah has become internationally recognized for her ability to deconstruct the complex dynamics of gaslighting and make them accessible and practical. She has worked extensively with both partners and addicts, leading individual coaching, groups, retreats, and intensives. In 2018, she joined CORE Relationship Recovery as their “go-to gaslighting expert,” where she continues to facilitate groups and specialized sessions for both addicts and their partners.
In 2022, Sarah launched DECONSTRUCTING GASLIGHTING®️, a series of offerings including a webinar, video course, signature program, and podcast designed to empower people to recognize gaslighting, trust themselves again, and heal. Her passion for empowering others to transform their lives fuels her work and drives her to develop cutting-edge programs that help individuals grow to know, trust, and love themselves more than they thought possible.
Sarah currently sits on the board of APSATS (Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists), collaborates with numerous helping professionals, and is frequently invited as a guest speaker at national conferences and on podcasts. She is also the owner of Deconstructing Gaslighting®️ Academy, which provides life-changing education and tools to help people heal from the effects of gaslighting and “take their power back.”
In addition to her work with gaslighting, Sarah is the Intake Specialist for the Resilience Through Betrayal Trauma Women’s Intensive Program. She also serves as a group facilitator for men struggling with compulsive sexual behavior and women working through betrayal trauma. Her mission is to equip others to see through gaslighting, reclaim their self-trust, and cultivate deeper, healthier relationships.