Tobi Nussbaum M.Ed., LMHCA

Hello! My name is Tobi. I'm an art and play-based counselor with over a decade of clinical and school experience, drawn to supporting sensitive, creative —kids, teens, and young adults—who feel emotions deeply and/or march to the beat of their own drum. I support individuals navigating anxiety, ADHD and autistic experiences, trauma, grief, identity (including LGBTQIA+), twice-exceptionality, and family conflict. My liberation-oriented, trauma-informed approach honors familial context while honoring each person's unique nervous system through a neuro-affirming lens. Through somatic work, play, art, narrative therapy, mindfulness, eco-therapy, psychoeducation, and CBT/DBT my clients receive support and care. I bring joy, curiosity and warmth to every session, meeting each young person where they are developmentally and using creative, engaging interventions to build emotional awareness and regulation skills. I see behavior as a form of communication, where meaningful change begins with connection, being seen for our authentic selves, and includes a felt sense of safety. I named my practice after Mary Oliver's essay Upstream, drawn to its reflections on interconnectedness, self-discovery, and the experience of swimming upstream against life's currents. In the space where wonder and presence meet, I believe we connect deeper to each other and ourselves, and the possibility of change unfolds For Parents and Caregivers: I understand that families often seek support when big or confusing behaviors begin to take over daily life. Together, we explore what those behaviors may be communicating and develop creative, developmentally appropriate strategies that strengthen self-awareness, regulation, and advocacy across home, school, and everyday routines. I draw from Positive Discipline principles when supporting caregivers and always aim to create a collaborative, team-based experience. My background as a school counselor and a therapist includes facilitating groups, conducting school observations, collaborating with wraparound supports, and reviewing IEPs, 504s, and evaluations to help children thrive. I'm currently accepting new clients for both in-person and telehealth sessions. I honor you and/or your child’s unique identity, regardless of culture, faith, background, or orientation. Upstream acknowledges that we are on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.