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www.consejocounseling.org
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Celebration, Learning, and Community Connection
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This month, Consejo celebrates
48 years of serving our communities
. What began in 1978 as a response to the need for culturally and linguistically responsive behavioral health care in the Latino community has grown into an organization that continues to expand access to services while staying rooted in the communities it was created to serve.
That foundation continues to shape Consejo today. As we grow, we remain committed to providing care built on culture, language, trust, and a deep understanding of the people and communities we serve.
With our 50th anniversary now just two years away, we are entering an important new chapter in Consejo’s story.
It is an opportunity to honor our history, recognize the people and communities who have shaped our journey, and continue building on nearly five decades of
healing, health, and hope
.
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Consejo's Annual Summer Picnic: Celebrating 48 Years Together
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To mark this year’s anniversary, Consejo brought staff from across the organization together for a sports-themed summer picnic. Employees wore their favorite jerseys and sports gear and enjoyed an afternoon of food, games, raffles, and time with colleagues outside of the usual workday.
The celebration gave us an opportunity to recognize the people behind Consejo’s work and the dedication, teamwork, and sense of community that have helped carry our mission forward for nearly five decades.
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Consejo at
RISE26
in Nashville
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Consejo staff attended
RISE26
, All Rise’s national conference focused on addiction, mental health, treatment courts, and justice innovation. The conference brought together professionals from across the country for specialized training, educational sessions, and opportunities to exchange best practices for improving outcomes at the intersection of behavioral health and the justice system.
The conference was especially valuable for
Consejo’s Therapeutic Courts program
, offering staff the opportunity to learn from national leaders, explore evidence-based approaches, and strengthen strategies for supporting individuals with behavioral health needs who are involved in the justice system.
Bringing this knowledge back to Consejo helps strengthen our court partnerships, improve services, and continue advancing treatment and recovery as part of a more effective response to behavioral health needs.
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Welcoming International Students for a Behavioral Health Learning Experience
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Consejo welcomed a group of international psychology students visiting Seattle through a dual-degree program between
CETYS Universidad and City University of Seattle
. The visit gave students an opportunity to tour our site, meet members of our clinical team, and learn how Consejo provides culturally and linguistically responsive behavioral health services to Spanish-speaking communities.
The experience offered a firsthand look at community-based behavioral health care while creating space for professional and cultural exchange. Opportunities like this help strengthen academic partnerships and support the development of future professionals prepared to serve diverse communities.
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We thank
City University of Seattle
for including Consejo in this field experience and for creating opportunities that connect students with community-based behavioral health practice.
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Expanding Access to Bilingual Mental Health Education on Lopez Island
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Consejo partnered with the
Lopez Island Family Resource Center
to provide bilingual community education on a range of mental health topics affecting individuals and families.
The sessions addressed family well-being, healthy boundaries, transgenerational trauma, the relationship between unresolved trauma and substance use, and the importance of breaking stigma around mental health. The Spanish-language discussion also explored immigrant trauma and the challenges families may face when navigating culture, identity, and relationships across generations.
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This partnership extended Consejo’s culturally and linguistically responsive approach beyond our usual service areas, creating an opportunity to share practical tools, promote open conversations about mental health, and support community well-being. We are grateful to the Lopez Island Family Resource Center for inviting Consejo to contribute our expertise and for making these conversations accessible to both English- and Spanish-speaking community members.
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Consejo Continues to Strengthen Connections with Local and State Leaders
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Throughout July, Consejo continued meeting with elected officials to build on conversations about the needs of the communities we serve and the importance of accessible, culturally responsive behavioral health care.
These meetings provide an opportunity to keep community experiences and behavioral health needs visible in policy discussions, while helping leaders better understand the role organizations like Consejo play in supporting individuals and families across Washington. Ongoing engagement also helps strengthen relationships with public officials and positions Consejo as a trusted community resource as decisions affecting behavioral health access continue to evolve.
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Virtual conversation with U.S. Senator Patty Murray's office
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Consejo met with U.S. Senator Patty Murray's office to discuss how H.R. 1 may affect Apple Health coverage and behavioral health access in Washington. The conversation provided an opportunity to share Consejo’s perspective as a community-based provider and highlight the importance of continuity of care for the individuals and families we serve.
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Virtual conversation with Bellevue Mayor Mo Malakoutiani
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Consejo met with
Bellevue Mayor Mo Malakoutian
to share more about our work in the region and discuss behavioral health needs within the community. The conversation also provided an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with local leadership and explore how community-based organizations can continue supporting Bellevue residents.
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Virtual conversation with U.S. Representative Kim Schrier — Washington’s 8th Congressional District
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Consejo met with U.S. Representative Kim Schrier to continue the conversation around H.R. 1 and behavioral health access. Her district includes communities in both
King and Pierce counties
, where Consejo has a significant service presence, making the conversation especially relevant to the families we support in those regions.
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Virtual conversation with the Office of U.S. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez — Washington’s 3rd Congressional District
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Consejo connected with Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s office, which serves
Southwest Washington
, to bring a community behavioral health perspective into discussions around H.R. 1. The conversation also highlighted considerations for rural and geographically dispersed communities, where access to behavioral health care can present unique challenges.
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Virtual Conversation with the Office of U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland — Washington’s 10th Congressional District
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Consejo met with the office of Representative Marilyn Strickland’s office to discuss
H.R. 1 and its implications for Apple Health and behavioral health access in Washington
. The conversation was especially relevant to Consejo’s work in
Tacoma and Graham
, both within the broader South Sound region, and provided an opportunity to share the perspective of the communities we serve in Pierce County.
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We are grateful to each leader for taking the time to meet with Consejo, listen to the needs of our communities, and learn more about our commitment to advancing healing, health, and hope across Washington.
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Follow Us in Our Social Media
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P
206.461.4880
F
206.461.6989
723 Southwest 10th Street
Renton, WA 98057
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