Belle Nishioka holds a Master of Arts in clinical psychology from Antioch University, Seattle, and a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs/Japanese language from the University of Puget Sound, where she graduated with honors.
She is passionate about supporting students in achieving their academic and professional goals. She began working as a therapist in 1998, spending nine years in mental health agencies providing psychotherapy to children, adults, couples, and families before transitioning to community colleges in 2007. She worked as a TRiO counselor at Everett Community College (supporting first-generation, low-income students and students with disabilities) and later as a counselor at Shoreline and Edmonds Community Colleges. She joined Bellevue College’s Counseling Center in 2011.
As a state-credentialed African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Child Mental Health Specialist and former multicultural mental health consultant, Belle is committed to providing socially just and culturally responsive services. She has extensive experience addressing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, family issues, cultural adjustment, and self-esteem. Belle is committed to helping students develop self-advocacy skills, empowering them to speak up for their needs and navigate systems effectively. She also specializes in working with individuals who are clairvoyant/psychic, energy-sensitive, and/or empathic. In addition to counseling, she teaches Stress Management.
Belle views counseling as a collaborative and supportive journey and uses a variety of approaches, depending on the student’s unique circumstances and background. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, swimming in lakes in the summer, traveling, and exploring new cultures — she lived abroad in both China and Japan. As a Seattle native, she deeply appreciates every sunny day in the Pacific Northwest.
