Our Team

Sean Orpen

M.S., LMFT-S (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor), CST-S (AASECT Certified Sex Therapist Supervisor), EMDR-Certified

I’m a therapist who believes good clinical work is both rigorous and deeply human.

Having 20 years in practice, I’ve built my career around helping couples, individuals, business owners/managers, and fellow clinicians do the harder, more honest version of the work, the kind that changes how people relate to themselves, each other, and the systems they’re operating in.

My approach draws on the Developmental Model, Esther Perel’s relational framework, differentiation theory, and game theory. I’m interested in the systems people are embedded in, family, relationship, culture, and how those systems shape the patterns clients bring into the room. I am skilled in thinking strategically in layers, pulling different systems together in creative ways to help deconstruct and rebuild approaches and ways of processing information and relationships. My goal is to support people in understanding enough, and enough of the nuances, to be able to then act in a way that facilitates change.

Areas of Focus

• Couples counseling, sex therapy, and individual therapy, EMDR-trained for trauma work.
• The psychology of business ownership and leadership, including the strain of blending profession and family, workplace dynamics, and management challenges.
• Transitions that come with growing, selling, or exiting a company
• Clinical supervision for LMFT associates and AASECT certification candidates

Professional background

• BA, University of British Columbia; M.S., Seattle Pacific University
• 20 years in clinical practice, with a broad base in individual therapy, couples counseling, and sex therapy
• LMFT-S and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist Supervisor (CST-S)
• Worked for John and Julie Gottman at The Relationship Research Institute as an intervention facilitator and research interviewer for two years
• Research experience across multiple labs during graduate training
• Substantial focus on the psychology of business: ownership transitions, management challenges, blending profession and family, workplace conflict, and the stress of a company sale
• Background in building and selling businesses
• Founding partner, Premier Behavioral Health Associates

What Clients Often Appreciate About Sean

Clients often tell me they appreciate that I’ll be direct with them, I won’t just nod along, and that I can think with them systemically, not just emotionally. I aim to combine that directness with real warmth, so sessions feel honest without feeling harsh. Business-minded clients in particular value that I understand the operational and relational pressures they’re carrying, not just the feelings underneath them.

On a Personal Note

I talk to my dog, Zoe, in a rediculous voice for no other reason other than it makes her move her eyebrows like crazy and that always makes me smile.

Danielle Ruthfield

MS, LMFT

My career has been focused on helping people managing challenging transitions, including moving into adulthood, dealing with divorce, separation, and loss, and more recently, navigating high-conflict business, personal, and family issues with executives and global leaders.

I’m focused on helping people be their best selves in their personal and professional lives. Doing that work means understanding the historical patterns that have brought people to that moment, and then helping them navigate their current challenges with clarity and a true understanding of their impact on others. I help people identify goals and develop strategies to move towards those goals.

Areas of Focus

• Individual therapy for major life transitions, including divorce, separation, and loss
• Support for young adults navigating the transition into adulthood
• High-conflict couples and family dynamics
• Executive coaching for business owners and global leaders
• Leadership and organizational consulting for high-net-worth families and family offices
• Goal-setting and strategic planning for personal and professional growth

Professional background

• BA, University of Puget Sound; MA, Seattle University; MS, Seattle Pacific University
• 15 years of clinical practice, focused on professionals and high-conflict couples
• Built and ran a successful group clinical practice
• 10 years as a leadership and organizational consultant to very high net worth families and family offices

What Clients Often Appreciate About Danielle

I’m unfazed by the challenges my clients bring, and I’m calm when they are under stress. I’m straightforward in my summary of situations and in helping clients evaluate their situations in ways that help them strategize going forward. I’m warm and funny, and I’m not there to tell them what they want to hear. I have a strong business background and can participate in conversations at a variety of levels.

On a Personal Note

I have two college-age daughters who call me a cool mom.

Dr. Ethan Schwab

Ph.D., LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist

As a therapist, consultant, and educator, I think about solving problems in pragmatic ways that consider thoughtful assessment, meaningful collaboration, and evidence-based practices.

I have built my clinical and consulting practices around helping individuals, couples, families, and coworkers identify and resolve what is impacting them or keeping them stuck.

I’m focused on problems, patterns, and impactful experiences that keep people from living and interacting in the ways they want to. I draw on many evidence-based treatment models and tools to thoughtfully address a wide range of individual and relationship problems. I consider problems systemically, and work collaboratively with clients to develop a plan that uses the best tools for the job. I want all my clients to understand my assessment of the work we are prioritizing as well as the tools we are using accurately. I value transparency and honesty and prefer everyone I work with to be an expert on their care.

Areas of Focus

• Couples/partners counseling
• Individuals therapy
• Sex therapy
• Leadership or founders’ challenges, succession planning, and organizational culture problems
• Clinical supervision for LMFT associates

Professional background

• BA, University of Victoria; MS, Seattle Pacific University; Ph.D., Florida State University
• 18 years of clinical practice, focused on individuals, couples, and partnerships
• I am on the graduate faculty, and have trained Marriage and Family Therapists at Seattle University for the past 12 years
• I’ve built and ran a successful private practice serving the Seattle community for the past 15 years.
• Extensive research experience and training at both Florida State and Seattle University.
• 10 years as a leadership and organizational consultant to very high net worth individuals, family offices, and businesses

What Clients Often Appreciate About Ethan

Therapy clients appreciate my honesty and humility. I’m directive, but also very genuine and humorous. I truly care about everyone I have the opportunity to work with. Sessions feel collaborative rather than prescriptive.

Consulting clients/businesses appreciate my understanding of leadership and operational challenges, and effective solutions to a myriad of common yet significant and costly people problems.

On a Personal Note

I love the ocean a lot! In another life, I would have been a marine ecologist. For now, I scuba dive as often as I can, and continue to let the underwater world inspire me.

Nancy Owen

LMHC, LPC, CST-S

I believe our past often influences our present behavior in unconscious ways — a perspective known as psychodynamic therapy.

My goal is to help clients achieve insight into these unconscious processes in order to create the possibilities for change. I employ an integrated therapeutic approach individually tailored to the needs of each client or couple.

Areas of Focus

Relationships
Helping couples and adult individuals achieve healthier, more connected relationships with themselves and others.

Sex therapy
Helping individuals and couples improve their intimacy and regain / enhance sexual pleasure. I can assist with:

Clinical Supervision
If you are an associate working toward licensure: I am a Washington State approved supervisor and would be happy to work with you on developing your clinical skills. Contact me for more details.

Professional background

I have been a therapist for 30+ years working with diverse issues and populations including children and families within the foster care system, survivors of domestic violence, assaultive children and teens, mother-infant pairs around attachment and bonding, adults struggling with anxiety and depression, and couples with serious relationship and sexual issues. I hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and have trained extensively in sex therapy, couples and relational work, menopause/peri-menopause, and postpartum recovery. I have also worked as an educator for nurses and psychology students in the areas of child development / developmental psychology, understanding mental health issues, and sexual health.