Shawn Gillies is a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice in the State of Washington. He is also the Owner/Director of LifeSTAR Washington. Shawn has degrees from BYU and the University of Kentucky. After receiving his Master's Degree in 1998, Shawn began working full-time in an agency setting where he obtained over 10 years of experience providing administrative, clinical and adoption and birth parent services to those in need. Shawn is a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health.

Shawn moved to Washington in 2008 to start a private therapy practice and work as the Director of LifeSTAR Washington. He meets with many people therapeutically, but has specialized in the treatment of sexual addiction throughout his career, and is passionate about helping those who struggle with these issues. Shawn is regularly invited to speak in various settings on sexual health/addiction issues and looks forward to these experiences. He especially enjoys speaking to and educating parents on how to teach their children healthy sexuality. Shawn focuses his work on helping couples and families find hope and healing through the recovery process.

Along with his therapy practice, Shawn and his wife, Suzy, run a non-profit foundation in Uganda, Africa called, "African Promise Foundation." APF is aimed at providing educational and other opportunities to disadvantaged children in Northern Uganda to climb out of poverty and create a brighter future for themselves and their communities. Shawn and Suzy are the adoptive parents of a Ugandan son.

Shawn has been married for eighteen years and has five children. He has many hobbies and interests (probably too many), but enjoys doing anything that includes time with his family.

Christopher Franklin is a Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (MFTA) and joined the LifeSTAR network in January 2010. Christopher graduated with his Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Seattle Pacific University in 2006. Christopher completed his graduate internship at Auburn Youth Resources in Auburn, Washington, where he provided outpatient therapy services for youth and their families. After receiving his Master's Degree, Christopher began working in Sandpoint, Idaho with Alliance Family Services as a psychosocial rehabilitation consultant for boys of all ages.

In 2007, Christopher was offered a position at Timber Ridge Preparatory School for Girls in Clark Fork, Idaho. As the lead therapist at Timber Ridge, Christopher worked with at-risk adolescent females in overcoming issues such as drug addictions, sexual addictions, depression, and eating disorders. While in Idaho, Christopher also received his license as a Professional Counselor. He was at Timber Ridge for nearly 3 years before Timber Ridge went out of business due to the recession. As a result, Christopher decided to return to western Washington to join LifeSTAR Washington and start his private practice in 2010.

Christopher has two children and spends much of his free time with them and his extended family. When he is not providing counseling services, Christopher also enjoys inventing, playing, and marketing board games. In addition, he tries to take advantage of the summer months by hiking, camping, and enjoying nature.

Josh Weed is a Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (MFTA) who has a private practice in Auburn, WA. He received his Masters degree in marriage and family therapy from Seattle Pacific University in 2010. Before receiving his Master's degree, Josh taught English in the Kent school district for several years. Along with seeing clients in private practice, Josh worked at Kent Youth and Family Resources, providing service to youth and their families. Josh is a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

As a therapist, Josh works with many people struggling with difficult life issues, but focuses his efforts mainly on adolescent and adult sexual addiction issues, with an emphasis on youth treatment. His work is dedicated to helping people combat patterns and beliefs that cause feelings of shame, hopelessness and despair. Josh also works helping those with sexual identity issues and unwanted sexual attractions and/or behaviors. Before transitioning to private practice, his clinical work revolved around his role at Kent Youth and Family Services, where he still performs Drug and Alcohol assessments. Josh particularly enjoys working with youth; helping them feel hope as they face many life challenges.

In his free time, Josh writes a humor blog. He also enjoys running, weightlifting, playing the violin, and spending time with his wife and three daughters.

Dave Perry is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and has been working with LifeSTAR Washington in the Bellevue office since 2009. Dave completed his education earning a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from BYU and a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from City University of Seattle. Before returning to school to work on his Master's degree, Dave had a successful career in business. Dave has had many experiences as a therapist, including work in an agency setting, as well as maintaining a private practice. He most enjoys working with those trying to find peace and hope in difficult circumstances. Dave specializes in marital therapy, depression, anxiety and sexual addiction.

Dave has been married for over 36 years to his college sweetheart and is the father of five children and grandfather to nine. His favorite pastimes include hiking, camping, hunting and fishing.

...I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
                    - Robert Frost

Steffi Haroldsen is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. and has been in private practice in Washington since 2006. Steffi received her undergraduate degrees in Sociology and Philosophy from Seattle Pacific University in 1999, and her Master's degree from the University of Utah in 2002. Before starting her own therapy practice, Steffi spent three years working as a certified drug and alcohol counselor in Oregon, as well as working part-time for LDS Family Services for 9 years. Steffi began working with LifeSTAR Washington leading spouse groups in 2010. Steffi is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

Steffi's clinical focus throughout her career has been on trauma and addiction treatment. She has specialized in working with couples and individuals struggling through addiction issues, as well as a focus on helping spouses in sexual addiction situations. Steffi has a deep commitment to helping women with childhood abuse issues and provides resources for healing and improved self image. Steffi also enjoys working with adolescents who struggle with depression, self esteem and anxiety issues.

Steffi and Ken, her husband of forty years, have raised five children and are the proud grandparents of 12 grandchildren. She enjoys traveling, photography, gardening, reading, teaching children and spending time playing with her grand children.