Hi, I’m DJ Coger, LSWAIC

I’m mixed race Japanese, Indigenous (Aniyunwiya and Ainu), and a white clinical social worker associate licensed in the state of WA. Since 2020, I have provided individual therapy for adults, teens, and their families struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, Autism, PMDD, chronic illness, postpartum mental health, and grief.

I am a therapist who honors your experiences, validates your emotions, and will always root for you to succeed. I aim to create a safe space where you can trust me with your most vulnerable parts and know that I come from a place of unconditional positive regard (therapy speak for love), so I will never judge.

A woman with glasses, wearing a red dress with white milk bottle pattern, smiling and holding a bouquet of pink and white flowers, standing on a grassy area near a waterfront with benches and people in the background, a ferris wheel, cranes, and ships in the distance under a cloudy sky.

Personal

As someone who is neurospicy (ADHD and Autism), non-binary, mixed race, and has an type 1 diabetes (I need insulin to live), healing from my own trauma has been the foundation of my learning. I recognize that I am light-skinned, cis/straight-appearing and benefit from heteronormative privilege. On my off days, you will find me playing with my dog, sleeping (it’s a legit hobby, c’mon), unlearning ableism and colonial oppression in community, or finding adventure somewhere with my friends and loved ones.

My approach to therapy is grounded in relational, psychodynamic, and systems-oriented perspectives. I believe that a strong, trusting therapeutic relationship is at the heart of meaningful change. Together, we may explore early experiences that have shaped your sense of self, your worth, and how you relate to others, while also considering how your family, cultural background, and broader social context influence your life.

I integrate both traditional and experiential approaches to support clients in developing greater emotional awareness and regulation, deepening self-compassion, and working through trauma, including experiences of feeling unseen or invalidated. My goal is to create a space where you feel understood and supported as you make choices that reflect your values, rather than acting from fear or self-doubt.

I believe you are the expert in your own healing and the person who best understands yourself. My role is to walk alongside you—offering support, curiosity, and tools that help you reconnect with your strengths, deepen your self-awareness, and navigate life’s challenges in ways that feel aligned with who you are.

Clinical

As a mixed Japanese, Indigenous, and white individual who is also a therapist and is closely connected to the QTBIPOC community, my practice is deeply rooted in values of empowerment, empathy, authenticity, and an anti-oppressive lens. These values guide me in honoring each person’s lived experience, recognizing the impact of systemic and intergenerational factors, and approaching our work together with cultural humility and deep respect.

My Values

Education

  • Fellow for the Northwest Leaders in Behavioral Health Program, 2021-2022

  • Masters in Social Work from University of Washington School of Social Work, 2022

  • BS in Psychology with double minors in Human Development and Comparative Ethnic Studies, 2018

  • I’m currently taking course on

    • Buddism and Psychology by Dharma Moon

    • Foundations of IFS by the IFS institute

  • I’m trained in CBT, DBT, and Somatic experiencing.