Kathryn Stinson (she/her)

Sometimes we come to points in our lives where the stories we've been living about who we are and how our lives are supposed to unfold no longer fit. Sometimes this happens because of a loss or major life event. Sometimes it's just part of getting older. Sometimes what was working well for a long time suddenly no longer works, and we can't really pinpoint why. I collaborate with people in developing new frameworks that can support them as they figure out where to go next.

More than ever, our culture finds itself confronted with the simple fact that many people’s lived experience, relationships, and sense of self do not match the restrictive gender and sexuality boxes we have required people to live in. Gender non-conforming people are refusing to accept these restrictions any longer. And yet, we have so much farther to go. Discrimination, inequality, microaggressions, and hate crimes still impact so many lives. The threats of violence faced by transgender women of color in particular are staggering and unacceptable. You need a therapist who is not only open and affirming, but well informed. I offer both individual and couples therapy for adults and can provide referrals for gender non-conforming clients needing medical services or changes to documentation. I'm also experienced helping partnered people who are coming out or transitioning work through the process in relationship therapy with partners.

Connection is what life is all about. When our important relationships aren't working, everything suffers. Yet, if you're in a relationship that is unconventional in some way, it can be that much harder to reach out for help, for fear your relationships will be criticized, or you'll be made to feel that you or your loved ones are the problem. Increasingly, people are discovering that non-monogamy can be a viable and sustainable way of being in relationship. Whether you are well versed in non-monogamy or just beginning to explore this option, I create space to explore what best fits your life and identity. I offer relationship therapy for non-monogamous individuals, couples and triads.

I trained in Narrative Therapy at the Evanston Family Therapy Center, and Narrative concepts underpin all my work with clients. The single most powerful idea in Narrative work is that the problem is the problem, and the person is the person. In other words, YOU are not the problem. I use Narrative Therapy to collaborate with people in examining the effects problems have on their lives. We look at the dominant cultural stories that support those problems and work together to shine a light on the dreams, values, skills, and hard won knowledge that allow you to stand up to problems.

I use my training in couples therapy most frequently with couples who find themselves in unmapped territory. Sometimes this is due to life plans not working out, which means developing a new vision together. Sometimes a trauma or betrayal has occurred. I specialize in ​relationship therapy for gay, lesbian, and bi-sexual clients. I also work with relationships where one or more people are gender non-conforming. In particular, I'm experienced in working with couples where one person is considering a gender transition.

Burnout is created by a culture that holds impossible standards of perpetual growth, earning and producing. Passionate, determined, highly capable people can easily find themselves sucked in by systems that use their drive and enthusiasm at the expense of their own wellbeing. I help passionate and determined people serve their big visions without burning out. See Stinsoncoaching.com for more information.

Burnout isn’t an individual problem. It’s created by a culture that holds impossible standards of perpetual earning and producing but doesn’t remember what we are supposed to be earning and producing for. Passionate people can easily find themselves sucked in by systems that use their drive and enthusiasm at the expense of their own wellbeing. I help people examine and dismantle the cultural drivers of burnout.