Who Are We?

Hello, I'm Maggie "Gigi" Ishaq, the owner and a practicing therapist at Balanced Living Therapy, LLC. I hold a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a concentration in substance use counseling, both from Seattle Pacific University. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Substance Use Disorder Professional, Certified Clinical Supervisor, and Certified First Responder Counselor (CFRC).

I bring over 23 years of clinical experience helping clients heal from trauma, navigate grief and loss, address substance use concerns, and strengthen emotional health. I have extensive experience supporting first responders and their families, providing culturally competent, trauma-informed care tailored to the unique challenges of high-stress professions.

My therapeutic style is person-centered, collaborative, and tailored to each client’s individual needs. I believe that meaningful change happens when we honor your story, work together to challenge unhelpful patterns, and build new pathways toward resilience and emotional regulation.

I integrate a variety of evidence-based approaches, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for individuals and couples, and Psychodynamic Therapy. 

Whether you are seeking to heal from trauma, strengthen your relationships, rebuild after loss, or reconnect with your identity, I aim to create a safe, compassionate space where your goals are prioritized and supported.

• First Responder & Family Therapy
• Trauma & PTSD (including EMDR)
• Grief & Loss
• Self-Esteem & Identity Work
• Eating Disorders
• Attachment & Relational Challenges
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Substance Use Counseling
• Marriage/Couples and Individual Therapy

• Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy – Seattle Pacific University 
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Professional Studies) – Seattle Pacific University
• Associate of Technical Arts in Alcohol and Chemical Dependency Counseling – Edmonds College 
• Research Therapist – Behavioral Research & Therapy Clinics (BRTC), University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) – WA Credential # LH60200522 
• Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) – WA Credential # CP00005296
• Certified Clinical Supervisor – WA DOH 
• Certified First Responder Counselor (CFRC) – Cultural Competency First Responder Program 
• EMDR Trained Clinician

Hi, I’m Stacy Gardea (she/her), and I’m a Registered Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) here at Balanced Living Therapy. I’ve spent over 12 years walking alongside individuals navigating substance use and co-occurring challenges. I bring a steady, compassionate presence and a deep respect for the resilience each person carries with them.

Over the years, I’ve supported clients in a range of treatment settings. At Balanced Living Therapy, I provide both substance use and mental health counseling under the supervision of a licensed mental health counselor, in accordance with agency policy.

I’m a Pacific Northwest local who enjoys time outdoors and staying grounded through hands-on, creative activities. Outside of the therapy room, you’ll often find me fly fishing, tending to my garden, sewing, or cooking for family and friends.

I believe therapy is a warm and safe space where you can reconnect with your inner guidance, explore what’s holding you back, and move toward healing and meaningful change. I see the process of growth as a winding path—sometimes difficult, often beautiful, and always unique to you.

My approach is trauma-informed, person-centered, and strengths-based. I integrate practices like breathwork, mindfulness, and solution-focused tools to support emotional regulation, insight, and resilience. I strive to create a therapeutic space where you feel seen, supported, and empowered to explore your experiences with curiosity and self-compassion.

While my primary focus is in substance use treatment, I also support individuals navigating a variety of mental health concerns. I draw on years of clinical experience and ongoing training to offer thoughtful, compassionate care tailored to each person’s needs. I’m committed to providing high-quality, ethical therapy that honors your unique story and goals. 

Substance Use and Addictions

Gambling Addiction

Trauma and PTSD

Grief and Loss

ADHD

Depression and Anxiety

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Meditation and Breathwork

Associate of Arts in Alcohol and Chemical Dependency Counseling – Edmonds College (2014)

Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) – WA DOH Registration # CP60831867

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science – Northern Arizona University

Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) – Pending

Hi there. I’m Matthew Meyers (he/him), though you can call me Matt. I’m a graduate student at Antioch University Seattle working toward a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. After over a decade working in the tech industry and many years dedicated to my own healing journey, I decided to become a counselor so I could help people like you live joyful and fulfilling lives. I have experience providing crisis counseling to LGBTQ+ youth, running support groups for first-time parents, and offering one-on-one counseling at Antioch’s community clinic. I have also received specialized training in Internal Family Systems therapy. 

I view therapy as a collaborative process. You are the expert on your life, and I bring knowledge and skills that can help us explore your past, present, and future to uncover a path toward the change you seek. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I’ll be there alongside you as we explore what’s needed to meet your goals for therapy.

My approach to therapy is experiential. I aim to create a curious, non-judgmental, and supportive environment where we can safely hold space for all facets of your internal and external world. Within this environment, I’ll guide you to explore your thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and behaviors. These aspects of your experience will then guide us toward your innate wisdom and capacity for well-being. I lean heavily on Internal Family Systems, attachment, and somatic theories, but I’ll do my best to tailor the tools and techniques I use to suit your unique needs and preferences.
 

Depression

Anxiety

Self-esteem and self-worth

Childhood neglect, abandonment, and other family of origin issues

Finding meaning, purpose, and direction

Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Candidate, Antioch University Seattle    (graduating September 2025)

Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Studies: Psychology, Antioch University Seattle

Internal Family Systems level 1 training

Hello! I am Nicholas, a student intern of Couple and Family Therapy at Antioch University Seattle, currently in the final year of my master’s degree. I chose to become a relationship therapist because I believe our relationships are always impacting our lives, and if we can attend well to ourselves and our relationships, we can access a more fulfilling life. As a sensitive and neurodivergent I feel I attend well to subtleties in connection and center healing, joy, and authenticity in my practice. I am a poet, a partner, a stepfather, an open-minded spiritualist, and appreciator of life in all its terrible beauties.

 “Healing is a lifelong journey towards wholeness” – Jean Archterberg

Therapy can be tough! Simply getting through the door requires courage to peer deeper inside and connect with our pain and suffering. My view of healing work is gentle – that we are always peeling back another layer of ourselves, further defining who we are, what we need, and what we most long to step into or address, and each of these indicates an important value for us. Healing also looks different to everyone. All my approaches appreciate both the practical and the emotional. Relationally I believe it is important to address pockets of confusion, ambivalence, power and control, trauma, and encourage an interdependence that all parties can accept with a full heart. I aim to provide educational materials, relational tools, define safety within the relationship, and stabilize and normalize the tension that springs from growth.

Spiritual/Religious Exploration

Authenticity and Depression

Emotion-Focused Therapy

Neurodivergence

Identity Exploration

Relationship Tension

Internal Family Systems

Structural Family Therapy

MA-Couples and Family Therapy -Candidate: Antioch University (Graduating December 2025)

Currently Held Degrees:

Bachelor of Arts: Psychology and Counseling, Antioch University

Certificate of Medical Coding and Insurance Billing, Edmonds Community College

Associate of Arts, Edmonds Community College

Hi! I’m Courtney (she/they). I’m a graduate student currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health and Art Therapy degree at Antioch University in Seattle. Previously, I have worked in early childhood education and childcare, volunteered at a LGBTQ+ youth center, and offered one-on-one counseling with adults at Antioch’s clinic. I also have specific training in somatic therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques. As a neurodivergent person, I strive to center authenticity, feeling seen and deeply understood in my practice. Born and raised in the PNW, I enjoy spending time in nature, dancing, and relaxing at home with my two cats. 

My approach is humanistic and relational because I believe you are the expert of your own life, and meaningful connection is foundational to therapeutic change. I aim to build a collaborative and compassionate relationship that fosters safety, supports your goals, meets you where you are, and moves at your pace—because building trust is a process that takes time.

In therapy, I draw from a variety of tools, including art therapy, somatic practices, and mindfulness techniques. I strive to integrate interventions that align with your unique needs and goals. I often expand beyond traditional talk therapy by incorporating creative and body-oriented approaches, which can be especially helpful if talk therapy feels limiting. Art therapy, for example, offers a non-verbal, creative outlet for expressing thoughts and emotions that may be difficult to put into words. If it interests you, I may invite you to engage in artmaking—but it is always optional.

My work is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and grounded in feminist theory. I believe that our present experiences, thoughts, and behaviors are shaped by our past and the context of our lives. With care and curiosity, I may invite you to explore your family of origin and reflect on your identities. I value a holistic approach to therapy and believe our well-being is deeply connected to all aspects of life. As such, we may also explore overall wellness and self-care across different areas of your daily experience.

Identity Exploration

Self-Esteem & Self-Worth

Emotional Regulation

Anxiety & Depression

Neurodivergence

Highly Sensitive People

LGBTQIA+ Individuals

Art Therapy & Creativity

Mindfulness and Stress Reduction

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy Candidate: Antioch University Seattle (Graduating Spring 2026)

Bachelor of Fine Arts: University of Victoria, Victoria B.C.

Certification in Somatic Psychotherapy and Practices: Antioch University, Santa Barbara

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training: Mindfulness Northwest, Seattle, WA

Hello, my name is Brad Corcoran (he/him). I am a graduate student at Antioch University, where I’m pursuing a Master’s degree in Couples and Family Therapy. Before entering the field of therapy, I spent over a decade working in healthcare, including roles in an Adolescent Rehabilitation Facility and in Emergency Department and Outpatient settings at a major hospital.

I chose to become a therapist because I believe that every person holds inherent worth and a unique story, regardless of background, whether it be socioeconomic status, race, LGBTQ+ identity, religion, political belief, or any other part of life’s fabric. Your value is not something to be earned; it is already yours. Sadly, our culture doesn’t always reflect that truth. My hope is to create a space where that worth can be recognized, explored, and strengthened. In our work together, my aim is to help highlight your value in ways that feel authentic and empowering.

I see therapy as a collaborative and evolving partnership. While I bring training, knowledge, and life experience to our work, I fully recognize that you are the expert on your own life. My role is to walk alongside you, offering perspective, tools, and curiosity, but never assuming that I have all the answers. People are wonderfully complex, and no two individuals or relationships are the same. What helps one person thrive may not be the right fit for another, and that’s okay.

I believe therapy works best when it is active, honest, and mutual. The process requires effort, openness, and willingness from both of us. You will likely get out of therapy what you are willing and able to put into it - whether that’s vulnerability, courage, reflection, or taking new risks in your life outside of session. At the same time, it’s my responsibility to create a space where that work feels safe, supported, and meaningful.

While insight and understanding are important, true growth often happens through emotionally attuned experiences in moments where you feel seen, heard, and understood in new ways. These experiences can shift how you view yourself and others. My approach is grounded in attachment theory and emotion-focused work, but I adjust my methods based on your unique goals, needs, and life circumstances.

In short, therapy with me is not about having all the answers. It’s about making room for your humanity. Together, we’ll explore your story, deepen your self-understanding, and move toward the life you want to build.

Deepening/Strengthening Couple Relationships

Navigating Relational Conflict

Religious/Spiritual Exploration

Depression/Anxiety

Self-esteem and self-worth

Family dynamics and family of origin concerns

Finding meaning, purpose, and direction in life

Master of Arts in Couples and Family Therapy (in progress), Antioch University (Expected June 2026)

Bachelor of Arts in Greek, Pastoral Ministries, and Biblical Studies, Multnomah University