ABOUT

Cheryl L. Fracasso, PhD, LMHC

Dr. Fracasso is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the State of Washington and Certified Clinical Trauma Intervention Specialist (CCTP 1 & 11) with over 15 years clinical experience. Her area of expertise is in treating trauma and complex PTSD, along with mood and anxiety disorders, and major life transitions. She also specializes in holistic healing methods from a trauma-informed perspective. She graduated with a PhD in Psychology from Saybrook University in 2012.

Clinically, she has specialized in providing mental health therapy for inured workers for nearly 4 years as a provider with Washington State Labor & Industries. She is the Owner and Clinical Director of NorthStar Wellness Associates and will soon be adding more therapists to her team. Prior to that she owned a holistic healthcare clinic for nearly 3 years that specialized in treating complex trauma and PTSD, with a full staff of clinicians ranging from acupuncturists, yoga therapists, massage therapists, nutritionists, an art and music therapist, along with herself as the psychotherapist.

Other clinical experience includes serving as a Psychologist with the State of Washington, Rainier School, Developmental Disability Administration for over 5 years where she conducted psychological assessments, developed positive behavior support plans and provided therapy for clients with extensive trauma backgrounds. Treatment interventions Dr. Fracasso created and provided include: Anger Management groups; Stress Management groups; Cognitive Behavior Therapy groups (and individual counseling); Drama Therapy groups; Dance/Movement Therapy groups; Social Skills groups; drum circles, along with pet therapy with her licensed therapy dog. Dr. Fracasso also provided trauma and crisis intervention training to over 1000 staff on an ongoing basis, along with taught signs and symptoms of dementia and treatment interventions.

Dr. Fracasso has also published extensively in the field of near-death experiences and trauma; along with energy medicine and holistic healthcare. Her most recent book “Holistic Treatment in Mental Health: A Handbook of Practitioners’ Perspectives” published in September 2020 where she served as lead editor with co-editors Stanley Krippner and Harris Friedman. This seminal book features 21 authors who are pioneers in their field and presents chapters on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy; Time Perspective Therapy; Dance/Movement Therapy; Art Therapy; Drama Therapy; Music Therapy; Hypnosis in Clinical Settings; Emotional Freedom Technique, Medicinal Drumming; health benefits of massage and meditation, and many more topics in holistic health.

In Dr. Fracasso's spare time she loves to do yoga, meditate daily, create art, and engage in free-flow dance. She also loves to spend time with her animals and be in nature.