About Sean Orpen, LMFT-S, CST-S
Rich Clinical Experience Meets Compassionate, Evidence‑Based Care on Seattle’s Eastside
About Sean
Sean Orpen LMFT-S, CST-S is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and AASECT‑Certified Sex Therapist and Supervisor. With a deep clinical background and a focus on relational depth, Sean supports individuals, couples, and other relational structures seeking clarity, and transformation.
Professional Background & Education
- Master’s of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT)
- Extensive mentorship under the Gottmans at the Relationship Research Institute
- Years of practice in high-level group therapy settings, now applying that leadership to Orpen Therapy
Licenses & Certifications
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Washington State
- AASECT‑Certified Sex Therapist (CST)
- AASECT‑Certified Sex Therapy Supervisor (CST-S)
- Washington State‑Approved Supervisor (LMFTs)
Style, Methods, and Therapeutic Models Used
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Gottman Method (informed by experience with the Gottmans)
- Narrative Therapy, Systems Theory, Attachment Science, Relational-Cultural Frameworks
- Sex‑Positive, Trauma‑Informed Care
- Functional Analytic Psychotherapy
- Polyvagal Theory
- Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
Personal Philosophy & Approach
Sean’s work is collaborative, and rooted in evidence-based practice. He approaches therapy as a process, not a checklist, valuing emotional presence alongside actionable insight. You’ll find warmth, clarity, and a grounded curiosity in his therapeutic style—not just fixing, but unfolding and discovering together.
Why I Became a Therapist
Raised among British Columbia’s forests and skies, Sean carries a legacy of Ukrainian resilience and military discipline. These cultural roots taught him the value of care, strength, and story. He became a therapist to hold space for those same qualities in others—valuing directness with softness, structure with spaciousness, and trust in each person’s innate wisdom.
Professional Affiliations & Continuing Education
- AASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists)
- Supervises in LMFT and sex therapy certification pathways