Meet Our Team

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Directors

Erin Miga, PhD

Psychologist & Supervisor

An expert in DBT, Erin specializes in treating couples who are experiencing high distress and are mired in conflict patterns. Hence, she is uniquely suited to supporting trainees in helping clients gain mastery in the relational/communication realm. She balances warmth, irreverence, humor and a dialectical mindset to bring out the best in DBT students and fellows.

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Jared Michonski, PhD

Psychologist & Supervisor

Jared brings an appreciation for detailed, idiographic behavioral assessment and evidence-based interventions, delivered with genuine care, to his work with clients and their families, as well to his mentorship of trainees. Jared is reflective, humble and kind in his delivery of both treatment and supervision.. all while being behaviorally precise and effectively promoting behavior change!

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Team Members & Trainees

China Bolden-Jarvis, PhD

Psychologist & Supervisor

A former STAAR postdoc, China is a psychological powerhouse: In addition to remaining part of our community, she is an attending psychologist at Seattle Children’s inpatient psychiatry unit. China provides evidence-based care in a collaborative manner that builds upon the strengths of clients and families.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Bolden-Jarvis.

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Vanessa Lim, LMHC

Therapist

A former STAAR practicum student, Vanessa provides comprehensive DBT to teens and adults, and also provides ERP treatment for OCD and anxiety. She loves working with clients to individualize treatment in a way that draws on the strengths of their cultures, faith, and communities.

Click here to learn more about Vanessa.

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Adora Du, LMHCA

Postgrad Fellow

Currently completing a postgraduate fellowship with STAAR, Adora provides DBT and other evidence-based interventions with warm, patience, and humility. Given her past research experiences, Adora is also passionate about providing neurodivergent affirming care for autistic individuals.

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Penelope Seminario, MS

PhD Student

Penelope is completing her PhD at Seattle Pacific University. She specializes in integrating DBT with exposure-based interventions to serve adolescents and adults navigating suicidality, emotion dysregulation, and anxiety presentations. She is incredibly warm & kind and is dedicated to helping clients practice new skills in a supportive environment.

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Mahnoor Hyat, MS

PhD Student

Mahnoor, a PhD student at the University of Washington, integrates DBT with CBT, ACT, and exposure-based approaches to serve adolescents and adults navigating chronic suicidality, complex mood presentations, and interpersonal conflicts, and high-risk crises. Mahnoor is passionate about tailoring evidence-based interventions to client needs by approaching each client with cultural humility and collaboration.

Becca Spigel, MS

PhD Student

Becca is a PhD student at Seattle Pacific University. She enjoys providing DBT to teens and adults, with clinical and research interests in supporting LGBTQ+ young adults navigating emotion dysregulation and suicidality. She is also experienced treating OCD. Becca brings her warmth, sincerity, and optimism to sessions, helping clients feel understood while developing the skills they need to build a life worth living!