About Us
Northwest Family Care was born from listening to parents navigating the complexities of neurodivergence with remarkable strength and endurance. We saw how the current path of care is often fragmented, time consuming, and overwhelming.
We witnessed families spending hours commuting to therapies, advocating for inclusion, educating providers, carrying constant guilt about whether they were doing enough, and grieving the path they once imagined. We saw the emotional toll of managing public judgment while trying to stay regulated and present for their children.
These experiences revealed a fundamental truth: The system was not built to care for the caregiver. Northwest Family Care was founded to change that.
Meet the Founder
Evelyn Stagnaro, MM, MA, MTL, MT-BC, LMHCA
Founder & Mental Health Therapist
With over a decade of experience supporting autistic children and their families, I’m passionate about providing compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming, evidenced-based care that meets each family where they are. My approach centers caregivers as essential partners in change, and focuses on building practical, sustainable supports that strengthen connection, confidence, and cooperation at home.
During my clinical training at Seattle Children’s Autism Center, I provided outpatient therapy to parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children experiencing a range of emotional and behavioral challenges, including dysregulation, difficulty with transitions, communication differences, aggression, depression, and anxiety. I worked closely with families to integrate clinical strategies into everyday routines, helping create more supportive and manageable environments for both children and caregivers.
Outside of my professional roles, I enjoy rowing crew and am a proud mom to two beautiful boys.
More About Evelyn
Mental health counseling is my second career! I am also a licensed music therapist and the founder and director of Life On Music, a community-based music therapy practice offering inclusive music lessons, adaptive ensembles, and workshops for individuals across the lifespan.
As a Uruguayan-American clinician and advocate, I approach my work through a culturally responsive, family-centered lens informed by both lived and professional experience. Beyond clinical practice, my background includes work in higher education and policy advocacy aimed at expanding access to creative, evidence-based services for historically underserved communities.
Education
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M.A., Applied Child and Adolescent Psychology, University of Washington
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M.M., Music Therapy, Florida State University
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B.M., Music Performance (Percussion), Samford University
Licensure
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Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate, Washington
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Licensed Music Therapist, Washington
Professional Training
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Research Units of Behavioral Intervention (RUBI)
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Short-term Out-patient Crisis Management (SOCS)
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Parent Behavior Management Training
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
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Dilectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
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Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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