Jared Banka, M.A., LMHCA
Jared is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA). He earned his master degree in psychology from Seattle University in 2024. His training emphasizes an existential and humanistic approach to psychotherapy. These disciplines have helped him learn to turn toward and fully tune into others. His approach is client centered and influenced by compassion and mindfulness philosophies. He endeavors to accompany his clients in their unique distress and suffering and become fully present to their lived experiences. Through this his intention is to encourage clients to feel and experience their emotions more deeply and find meaning in them.
Prior to joining the mental health field Jared worked over a decade as a merchant mariner. This experience took him to many of the less traveled parts of the world granting him a unique perspective on the human experience, isolation and the sublime rhythms of the natural world. Jared has direct experience living and working on the fringes of society and managing the challenges of a difficult work-life balance.
Jared works with individual clients of all backgrounds and orientations ages 14 and up.
Jared is in network with some insurance plans but does not accept all insurance plans so please call your insurance to check if he is covered in your plan.
License, Certifications, & Trainings
Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
Existential Phenomenology Program Graduate
Jared is accepting waitlist clients at this time
To schedule an appointment with Jared please email [email protected] or by calling 425-549-4620
Sara Chandler, LMHC Intern
My name is Sara Chandler (She/Her). Sara is a master’s level LMHC intern working under the supervision of Shannon Tait LMFT #LF60074427. Sara is working towards completing my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Antioch University in Seattle with an expected graduation date of October 2025. Sara has 17 years of experience as a healthcare administrator working within different specialties.
As a counseling intern, Sara takes a collaborative approach in working with individuals, couples, and families from a variety of backgrounds, and with a wide spectrum of concerns. Sara works from a trauma-informed perspective and endeavor to provide a safe and judgment-free space.
Life can be challenging and with support, clients can experience personal growth, cultivate self-compassion, and discover personal strengths. Sara works with depression, anxiety, stress and relationship challenges, neurodivergence, grief, and trauma. She also provides couples counseling utilizing the Developmental model for relationships' work. Sara enjoys assisting families and individuals in navigating life transitions and she works with people of all faiths. LGBTQIA+ affirming.
Sara is in network with Coordinated Care and Aetna.
License, Certifications, & Awards
Trained in Developmental Model for Relationships
Sara is accepting NEW patients at $40 per session
To schedule an appointment with Sara please email [email protected] or by calling 425-549-4620
Lisa LaBranche, MA, LMHC Intern
Lisa (She/Her), is a master’s level LMHC intern working under the supervision of Shannon Tait LMFT #LF60074427. Lisa is working toward completing a CACREP accredited master’s degree in mental health counseling at Northwestern University, Chicago, with an expected graduation date of Fall 2025.
As a counseling intern, Lisa has an integrated therapeutic approach, pulling aspects from a variety of psycho-dynamic models to create an individualized client-centered experience. She places the highest priority on the therapeutic relationship and helping you achieve your goals.
Lisa is building upon previous career experience in mental health, in addition to being a certified Washington state educator, with a master’s degree in teaching. She primarily works with tweens, teens, adults, older adults, and families. She focuses on depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, chronic illness/pain, grief and loss, and family dynamics. Lisa collaborates with people of all faiths, cultures, and LGBTQIA+.
Lisa is in network with Coordinated Care and Aetna insurance.
License, Certifications & Awards
Washington State Certified Teacher #439590As
Lisa will be accepting NEW patients starting in September 2024
To schedule an appointment with Lisa please email [email protected] or by calling 425-549-4620
Lynda Loncar, MA, LMFTA
Lynda received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of New Mexico in 2015. She received her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northcentral University in 2021.
Lynda pulls from a variety of theories, included to but not limited to solution-focused, cognitive behavioral techniques, Bowen, and attachment theory, to provide care to her clients in a way that can be tailored and individualized based on each person’s needs. She is client-centered and focuses on supporting her clients to feel heard and understood in a safe and judgment-free space. She believes that many of the elements that impact one’s mental health stem from relational issues and fully believes that one can potentially control all aspects of life provided that they maintain a healthy relationship with themselves and others in their life.
Lynda works with couples, individuals, and families. She also has training and extensive experience working with trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, adjustments, and challenges. She enjoys working with couples and families, specifically those related to parenting challenges and dynamics within the immediate family. Lynda is trained in the Developmental Model fro Relationships. Lynda works Monday-Friday and offers evening appointments upon request. Lynda is an Associates Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Lynda is in network with some insurance plans but does not accept all insurance plans so please call your insurance to check if she is covered in your plan.
License, Certifications & Awards
Washington State Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate #MG 61263631.
Trained in Developmental Model for Relationships
Lynda is accepting NEW patients
To schedule an appointment with Lynda please email [email protected] or by calling 425-549-4620
Julie Miller, MA, LMHCA
Julie earned her Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree from Northwestern University in 2022. Her education was founded on Psychodynamic principles while incorporating a variety of different theories and techniques, including trauma and attachment. Julie likes to pull elements from multiple theories, making her an integrative therapist. She also likes to bring her sense of humor into the therapeutic relationship.
Julie enjoys building a strong therapeutic relationship, which she believes is the most important part of therapy. She also enjoys creating an environment where her clients feel a sense of safety and acceptance and, as a queer, BIPOC, woman, Julie personally understands the difficulties of marginalization.
Julie works with individuals 21+, and has experience working with people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, persons with disabilities, and those with loved ones in Hospice/Comfort Care. She also enjoys working with couples and is Prepare Enrich certified and trained in the Developmental Model for Relationships. Julie works Monday-Thursday, with later evenings available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Julie offers in-person and/or telehealth sessions.
Julie is in network with some insurance plans but does not accept all insurance plans so please call your insurance to check if she is covered in your plan.
License, Certifications & Awards
Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate #MC 61379600.
Prepare and Enrich Certified.
Trained in Developmental Model for Relationships
Julie is accepting NEW patients
To schedule an appointment with Julie please email [email protected] or by calling 425-549-4620
Shannon is an intern LMFT, currently working on her Master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Seattle Pacific University with a plan to graduate in June 2025. In addition to being a parent, spouse, daughter, sister, and community member, Shannon has worked as a nurse in the greater Seattle area for 14 years, honing her skills of talking to anyone about anything with her favorites being birth and death after working with both ends of the life spectrum.
Shannon works with couples, children 7+, and families. She has extensive training with the Developmental Model for Relationships. She is passionate about systems theory and how our relationships and interactions with the world often offer the most insight into ourselves. After almost two decades working in the healthcare system, she listened to an inner voice and with some outside help realized she wanted to slow things down and become a therapist.
Shannon would like to offer you a safe place to talk about any problem you are going through, as no one gets through life alone. Shannon offers evenings and weekends appointments.
Shannon is in network with Coordinated Care and Aetna.
License, Certification, & Awards
Trained in Developmental Model for Relationships
Shannon is accepting new families and couples at $40 per session or Coordinated Care Insurance
To schedule an appointment with Shannon please email [email protected] or by calling 425-549-4620
Tamara Runnicles, MA, LMFT
Tamara received her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from the University of Puget Sound. She received her Masters' in Marriage and Family Therapy from Seattle University in 2021.
Tamara uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Bowen Theory, and Solution Focused in her sessions. She is client centered and focuses on enabling her clients to feel heard and understood in a safe and judgment free space. She believes that the mind set of an individual can potentially control all aspects of life - provided with a healthy relationship with themselves, they are able to focus on the most important aspects of their lives.
Tamara works with couples, individuals, and families. She also has training and extensive experience working with trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, adjustments and challenges. She enjoys working with couples and families and is trained in the Developmental Model for Relationships. Tamara works Monday-Thursday and offers evening appointments. Tamara is an Associate's Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Tamara is in network with some insurance plans but does not accept all insurance plans so please call you insurance to check if she is covered in your plan.
License, Certifications & Awards
Washington State Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #LF61496083.
Trained in Developmental Model for Relationships
Tamara is accepting NEW patients
To schedule an appointment with Tamara please email [email protected] or by calling 425-549-4620
Dr. Ben Steel, Ed.D.,MDiv., LMHCA
Ben brings a unique and varied background to Blooming Leaf, having experience in: coaching, teaching, mentoring, and counseling. Ben earned a doctorate in Mental Health Counseling with a specialty in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Western States and he is a Licensed Mental Health Counseling Associate. He has worked with youth and adults in private practice, addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, guilt, attachment disorders and challenges with relationships. He has also been trained in working with individuals, groups, and teams looking to improve performance in sports, music, and work settings. Ben is a Prepare and Enrich facilitator for couples looking for pre-marital and marital counseling. Currently he is in the process of getting additional credentialing in Trauma work. With use of a variety of psychological perspectives ranging from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Existential Theory to address the needs of the client and situation, Ben brings a balanced Therapeutic approach. Ben knows that at the heart of good therapy is genuine connection, trust, and care between therapist and patient.
He grew up in the greater Seattle area, enjoys cooking, especially barbeque, being active outdoors, and is constantly learning something new whether it is about psychology, philosophy, exercise science, history or random facts that may be helpful on Jeopardy.
Ben’s deep hope is to help you discover and become who you’ve been called to be.
Ben is in network with some insurance plans but does not accept all insurance plans so please call your insurance to check if he is covered in your plan.
License, Certifications & Awards
Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate #MC 61210376.
Prepare and Enrich facilitator
Level 1 EMDR Training
Trained in Developmental Model for Relationships
Ben has limited availability and is accepting wait-list patients
To schedule an appointment with Ben please email [email protected] or by calling 425-549-4620
Patient Portal for Ben
Shannon Tait, LMFT, GMHS, AAMFT Approved Supervisor
Shannon is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Geriatric Mental Health Specialist, and AAMFT Approved Supervisor. Shannon has spent more than 15 years performing in-home, in-office and virtual therapy with older adults, adolescents, families, and couples. She has experience working with caregivers, individuals suffering chronic conditions including Parkinson's disease, depression, bipolar, and arthritis. She also specializes in helping patients who are experiencing grief and loss and end of life issues. Shannon has over 15 years of experience working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, older adults, and couples.
Shannon is an interactive, solution-focused, and cognitive-behavioral therapist. Her therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. Shannon integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a personalized approach tailored to each individual or family. With compassion and understanding, Shannon works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain their personal goals. As a Geriatric Mental Health Specialist, Shannon specializes in providing support and guidance to the Geriatric population and their families that span from therapy for depression and grief counseling to couples counseling and beyond. Shannon offers a personalized approach tailored to each individual or family’s needs to help them attain their personal goals.
Shannon is 2001 graduate of Linfield University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education and minors in Religious Studies and Coaching. She obtained a Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pacific Lutheran University in 2006.
License, Certifications & Awards
Washington State Marriage and Family License #LF60074427
Geriatric Mental Health Specialist
AAMFT Approved Supervisor
Trained in Developmental Model for Relationships
Shannon is NOT accepting new patients
Zosia earned her Masters of Social Work from McGill University (Canada) in 2008. Her training had a strong emphasis on Couples and Family Therapy and she completed her thesis on the topic of spirituality in medical family therapy. She worked as a medical social worker in hospitals and community hospice with patients of all ages and their families until her family moved to Washington in 2015. Zosia's practices with a strong family systems approach and a special interest in trauma-informed care. Zosia strongly believes that it is a privilege to walk a therapeutic journey with any client and be invited into a sacred space of vulnerability that often necessitates the healing process.
Zosia strives to empower her clients in recognizing their unique strengths, resilience, and personal resources to cope with adversity. Zosia values diversity in all forms and strives to understand her clients' unique experiences of marginalization. Zosia is trained in the Developmental Model for Relationships.
Zosia has experience working with people who are coping with chronic health conditions and acute health-based crisis. Zosia encourages her clients to seek ‘emotional space’ after a trauma to process and heal. She also has special interest in working with neurodiverse clients and their families, and children/teen coping with trauma. She is a bilingual French-Canadian speaker and enjoys working with clients who speak English as a second language, recent immigrants, and refugees. As an active parent, Zosia seeks to support clients of all ages in the context of their community closest to them and welcomes families (biological or chosen!) to attend therapy together to reach mutual goals in a safe space.
Zosia is in network with some insurance plans but does not accept all insurance plans so please call your insurance to check if he is covered in your plan.
License, Certifications & Awards
Washington State Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker Associate: SC 61442907
Trained in Developmental Model for Relationships
Zosia is accepting NEW patients and does offer early morning appointment upon request.
To schedule an appointment with Zosia please email [email protected] or by calling 425-549-4620
Administrative Team
Becca Dallain
Becca was born and raised in Washington and enjoys traveling and exploring the Pacific Northwest since she was a baby in a hiking pack. Being outside in nature, at the ocean or lake, her vegetable garden, and baking are her top loves in life. Becca is married with two boys and most of the time you will find them at the hockey rink. She is trained and practicing Massage Therapist, with an administrative background, and enjoy being a part, however minuscule, in someone's journey in healing.