Stephen Schlatter (he/him)

My work is informed by mindfulness traditions and practices, relational neurobiology, narrative therapy, and other forms of meaning-making. It is humanistic and person-centered, which means that all parts of your inner and outer self are fully welcome. Together we can draw from your strengths and values as we find ways to integrate these into a healthier relationship with your life. I start by meeting my clients with warmth and acceptance from the beginning. I am here to listen, empathize, and encourage the emergence of your own wisdom and resilience. My role is never to judge, blame, or collude with the forces in your life that have caused you to struggle or feel shame. Therapy is a fundamentally relational process, which means that healing emerges from connecting with another human being. Powerful transformation can emerge from feeling totally seen and accepted, even in your shame or dysfunction. It is possible to learn to love yourself and grow into a life of authentic meaning.

I found my calling as a therapist as a result of my own life story. Therapy helped me move from cycles of anxiety, depression, self-loathing, doubt, addictions, and trauma to a place of openness, vulnerability, courage, and deeper connection to self, others, and the collective universe we share. I know that healing is not linear; that everyone’s journey is unique; and that the more we can invite reserves of compassion, acceptance, even humor to our own predicaments, while enlisting the help of a professional, the better we are able to heal and grow into the best version of ourselves. Everyone contains the seeds of healing within. Furthermore, I see therapy as a potentially radical act of change. By cultivating inner compassion, we might learn to love the parts of ourselves that have been wounded by an unjust world. I hold special regard for people whose resilience was borne from oppression and trauma---including queer/LGBTQ, POC, women, survivors of abuse, poverty, etc.