Kim McDaniel...

is a devoted parent and wife, and has been a professional therapist for the past fifteen years.

She decided to become a therapist after working with troubled teenagers, when she wasn't much more than a teenager herself. Even then it was clear to her that “troubled” often meant the absence of a developed sense of self, a sense of belonging, and a sense of any hopefulness for the future. She learned early on in her professional career that one person can indeed make a difference. In her counseling practice she endeavors to encourage hopefulness and a sense of purpose by teaching others to advocate for themselves, develop their own individual self, and to become that person who will, in turn, make a positive contribution to the life of another.

Kim McDaniel, M.A. is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has been in private practice since 1996. She was educated in California, receiving a B.A. degree in psychology from CSU, Northridge and her M.A. degree from Pepperdine University. She has an extensive background as a family therapist having provided clinical services to children and adolescents at several residential and hospital facilities. Additionally, she provided emergency care services to local families as a crisis therapist with Seattle Mental Health Center. Presently, Mrs. McDaniel’s Kirkland practice is focused on providing psychological services to families, adolescents and children. Her specialty areas include: computer/Internet gaming addiction, blended families, effective parenting and step-parenting, child/adolescent mood disorders, binge eating disorder, and parent-child relationships. She is a clinical member of the American Psychological Association,  Washington State Counselors Association & The International Association of Play Therapists. Along with her colleague Hilarie Cash, Ph.D. she is the author of a parenting book "Video Games & Your Kids: How Parents Stay in Control".

Mrs. McDaniel lives in Seattle’s eastside community with her husband Rob and their two teenage daughters, one dog and two cats. Her lifestyle is mostly family-centered, and a much enjoyed activity is the weekend early morning walk along the shores of Lake Sammamish. Her favorite hobbies include gardening, reading, writing and travel.  She traveled with her eldest daughter on an educational trip to Spain chaperoning a group of 23 high school students, which his led to an interest in student exchange.  The McDaniel family has recently expanded to include hosting exchange students from France and the Ukraine.