Support Group Facilitators
Alice Allen-Redfern, MSW, LSWAIC
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Alice is an MSW (Master of Social Work) intern with the Center for Chronic Illness. She is going into her second year of my Masters program at the University of Washington and hopes to pursue a career in palliative care. She feels very grateful to be a part of such a wonderful community here at CCI and continues to learn a great deal from both the facilitators and participants. Her goal is to take what she learns over the next year and enter into the social work field advocating, empowering, highlighting, and fighting hard for the unique needs of those living with chronic conditions.
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Alice fills in periodically for our other facilitators.
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Alicia Sloan, MPH, MSW, LICSW
She/her
Alicia is an licensed independent clinical social worker with over 18 years of experience working with individuals with chronic illness and their loved ones. She works full-time as a Rehabilitation Care Services Social Worker at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System specializing in multiple sclerosis and other chronic illnesses. She previously worked for 16 years at the VA Puget Sound for the MS Center of Excellence, coordinating research studies and educational projects that addressed medical and mental health needs of veterans with multiple sclerosis and their family caregivers. Alicia also has a private counseling practice, Sloan Counseling and Consulting. She enjoys the physical and mental health benefits of yoga, guided imagery, mindfulness and meditation. She is passionate about suicide prevention and is a Master Trainer for the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). Alicia is a graduate of Tulane University School of Social Work and School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and of the University of Oregon with a BA in Psychology. She enjoys living in the Puget Sound area for its healthy lifestyle, close proximity to the mountains and water, and its abundance of outdoor activities!
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Alicia facilitates CCI's monthly Living with Chronic Illness Support Group.
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Angela Farrar Small, MSW, LICSW, MDiv
She/her
Angela is happy to join with CCI in helping African-American / Black people living with chronic illness to experience community support, with compassion and dignity for every group member. She is a licensed clinical social worker and clergyperson. No matter how painful life can be or how fragile they feel, Angela believes have amazing resiliency and capacity for growth. She likes to empower people living with chronic illness to tap into their whole selves—body, mind, and spirit—in the process of healing.
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Angela facilitates CCI's 2nd and 4th Wednesday Supporting African Americans Living with Chronic Illness Support Group.
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Bartja Wachtel, MSW, LICSW, MHP, CMHS
He/They
Mindfulness, compassion, positive psychology are Bartja's great passions in life and feels sharing these practices is an honor. Bartja works as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Mindfulness Educator. Bartja is a trained Teacher in Mindful Self-Compassion out of University of California San Diego's Center for Mindfulness. Bartja has a passion for supporting people who find themselves on the margins of society on their journey from birth to death, with a focus on people living with disability, chronic and terminal illness. Bartja has been with CCI from its beginnings and feels it is an honor to work with such a compassionate organization.
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Bartja facilitates CCI's twice monthly Living Mindfully with Chronic Illness Support Group.
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Carissa Singh, MA, LMHCA
She/Her
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Carissa Singh MA, LMHCA is mental health practitioner on Duwamish land that is commonly known as Seattle, WA. Her background is within the intersections of existential, humanistic, and somatic work. In this work she is guided by principles of authenticity, integrity, advocacy, and universal human dignity. As someone who lives with chronic illness herself, she is very familiar with the inequities of biomedical care, and the limitations and challenges it presents. Her practice emphasizes the interrelation of collective liberation and individual healing. She strongly believes in meeting each individual and collective exactly where they are, honoring their truths, feelings, choices and their strategies for getting through the day. In this, she strongly believes in the power of using our voices, sharing our stories, and being witnessed. She feels deeply grateful to be able to continue this work with CCI.
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Carissa facilitates CCI's 4th Wednesday Living with Chronic Illness Support Group for Washington state residents.
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Grace Lee, LMFTA
She/Her
Grace Lee is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate who believes that genuine connection is one of the most healing and meaningful parts of life. She values support groups because they create a safe, comforting space where people can bring their authentic selves, knowing they are not alone in experiencing pain. While some pains may never fully disappear, Grace hopes that through care and support, individuals can find moments of healing and strength in connection.
Grace facilitates CCI’s Supporting Asian Americans Living With Chronic Illness support group.​​
Jenna Tso, MSW, ASW
She/Her
Jenna is an associate clinical social worker based in Los Angeles who received her Masters in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach, and her Bachelors of Science from the University of Toronto. Jenna has been supporting clients in person in the Los Angeles area and virtually across California for the last four years, specializing in working with teens and young adults with food allergies and autoimmune disorders. As someone with lived experience of chronic illness and severe food allergies, Jenna is passionate about providing disability-affirming care and advocating for healthcare accessibility. Jenna is honored to facilitate a group with CCI to deepen her commitment to alleviating isolation among those with chronic illness.
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Kate facilitates CCI’s Neurodivergent and Living With Chronic Illness support group.​​
Kate Walker, MSW Student
She/Her
Kate is a Master of Social Work Intern studying at the University of Washington. Having received a Bachelor of Science in Counseling Psychology from Johnson and Wales University and a Master of Science in Developmental Psychopathology from the University of Durham in the United Kingdom, she is excited to bring her knowledge and lived experience to the Center for Chronic Illness.
Being Neurodivergent and living with chronic pain herself, Kate is familiar with the difficulties of self-advocacy and mental health impacts living with chronic conditions can pose. With a professional background in community mental health and trauma-informed care, she is thrilled to be joining the CCI team!
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Kate facilitates CCI’s Neurodivergent and Living With Chronic Illness support group.​​
Kerry J. Heckman, MSW, LICSW
She/her
Kerry is a therapist in private practice in West Seattle, who has a passion for working with clients who have chronic illness.
She has a masters degree in social work from Loyola University in Chicago and is a licensed independent social worker in both Illinois and Washington State. Kerry was a high school social worker in the Chicago area for 10 years, before moving to Seattle in 2018.
Kerry believes when it comes to chronic illness or any challenge, it is important to remember you do not have to face it alone. Accessing support and developing a community are some of the most helpful ways to cope with chronic illness.
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Kerry facilitates CCI's Rare Chronic Illness support group.
Kylie Brief, MSW, LSWAIC
She/They
Kylie is an MSW (Master of Social Work) graduate from the University of Washington. They have a professional background in adolescent residential psychiatric care and substance use disorders. As a member of the disabled community, Kylie is a strong advocate for disability justice and accessibility. Kylie is also interested in the radicalization of social work and furthering the liberation of those who face intersections of body-based oppression. They are a believer in the importance of peer support and mutual aid.
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Kylie facilitates CCI's Body Image and Chronic Illness, COVID Longhaulers, and Living with Chronic Pain support groups.
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Natalie Hopkins, MSW, LICSW
She/her
Natalie's educational and professional training as a social worker and counselor have focused on connecting with adolescents and families to address challenges that interfere with well-being. In addition to facilitating support groups through the Center for Chronic Illness, Natalie's private counseling practice supports adolescents, young adults, families and caregivers. Natalie's belief in CCI's mission is informed by her work with families and individuals impacted by chronic illness and her commitment to community based support to address well-being.
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Natalie facilitates CCI's Teens Living with Chronic Illness and Young Teens Living with Chronic Illness support groups.
Zoë Freeman, MSW, LICSW
She/her
Zoë is a licensed clinical social worker in Washington State from the University of Washington. She focuses on chronic illness and pain, caregiving, LGBTQIA+, older adults, and grief and loss. She believes that providing a space for isolated and often misunderstood individuals can be an invaluable resource, as building a community of compassion and understanding can make a difference. In addition, Zoë is a clinician in a group practice in Woodinville. ​
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Zoë facilitates CCI's 2nd Wednesday Living with Chronic Illness Support Group for WA state residents, the Living with Rare Chronic Illness Support Group for WA state residents, and the LGBTQIA+ and Living with Chronic Illness Support Group.
Zoë Woodey, MSW Intern
She/her
Zoë is a student at the University of Washington School of Social Work pursuing an MSW degree, currently interning with CCI. Zoë has experience working with and supporting older adults and family caregivers. Zoë's passion lies with increasing the accessibility to mental health resources for marginalized groups and underserved populations. Zoë believes that CCI works in alignment with that passion, uplifting and providing support for those living with chronic illness.