About Jess Sherriff, LMFT

"And if happiness should surprise you again, do not mention its previous betrayal. Enter into happiness, and burst."

- Mahmoud Darwish -

As a deeply feeling, deeply thinking person of course I ran headfirst into psychology; wide-eyed and aimed at understanding myself and others more fully. During my 20 years in helping professions I've done my best to weave what I've learned and, more importantly, unlearned into a relational space of accompaniment with curiosity. I try to lead with interest, and hold lightly any theories that attempt to explain our inner worlds too neatly. Life is pretty wild and we can't hack the hard parts. We find our way through, largely because we have one another. I began my training in a systems framework, and this is where I return. To a softer place where care is embedded in context, healing is collective, and mind/body are connected.

Online neuro-affirming somatic therapist

A Gentle, Body-led Approach for Sensory Overload

In many ways, my ability to inhabit this work is thanks to the parts of myself and my/our ancestry that have carried both the gifts and the challenges of sensitivity in its varying expressions. I approach each therapy relationship with understanding that is rooted in experiences of self, other, interconnected whole, and the belief that we all benefit from the container of safe relationship that carries, pushes, strengthens, and encourages us along our paths.

What this looks like in action...

Therapy is led with curiosity and interest, not judgment.

We honor and leverage the fundamental relationship between your mind and body and its natural hierarchy.

We balance talk, silence, learning, practice, and exploration.

We co-create a web of therapeutic relationships that offer multiple pathways to care, connection, and meaning in your life.

We aim for supported and resourced rather than "healed."

book a no cost consultation

Soothing my senses

Wild places, ferns, moss, grandmother trees, wabi-sabi gardening, entering my children's imaginative world through play, creating, cooking, baking, embroidery, memoirs, writing poetry, reading poetry, letter writing, rediscovering classic fiction, a good cup of coffee, time away from screens, time with (both wonderful and terrible) human interest stories on screens

Education

M.A. Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy

Pepperdine University

B.A. Child and Adolescent Development

California State University Northridge

Licenses

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

WA State Department of Health #LF60316363

Training & Influences

EMDR Basic Training - EMDRIA Approved Program

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Mindfulness and Acceptance-based Therapies

Compassion-focused Techniques

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Mindfulness-based Mind Fitness - Dr. Elizabeth Stanley

Polyvagal Theory - Dr. Steven Porges

Interdisciplinary Affective Science - Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett

The Neurosequential Model of Thereapeutics - Dr. BD Perry

Memberships

Washington Mental Health Counselors Association - Clinical Member

Association for Contextual and Behavioral Science - Clinical Member

Get in touch

Jess

Sherriff LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

WA #LF60316363

Crisis Resources

If you are in distress or need immediate help please call or text 988.

Neuro-affirming somatic therapy for deeply feeling caring and creative professionals in Bellingham, Seattle, and throughout WA State.

Whether you're ready to get started or still have questions, I'd love to hear from you. I generally respond to all inquiries within 48 business hours, regardless of my availability for new appointments.