The tension between strength and vulnerability has been a big part of my journey, both personally and professionally. In many ways, working in mental health has been my way of pushing back against some of the unhealthy masculine attitudes that were common where I grew up…
Read MoreThere’s nothing weak about being vulnerable. The truth is, it takes tremendous courage to soften when every instinct tells you to armor up.
When I talk about masculinity, this is what I mean. We’re told that to be a man is to push through pain, to hold the line, to be the protector. But what strikes me as far braver is the willingness to crack that shell, to let the world see you as you are, and to accept yourself even when it feels risky.
Pull up a chair and enjoy our new series Shared Space: Stories from our Therapists. This series is an invitation to get to know the people who may sit with you in hard moments. You’ll find candid conversations, personal stories, and reflections on how each therapist approaches connection and healing. No clinical jargon, just real stories to help you get a feel for each therapist’s voice, values, and vibe before you ever book a session or make a recommendation. Enjoy!
Read MoreWhen I started my journey as a therapist, I carried a mix of excitement and uncertainty. I knew why I was here. I wanted to become the kind of person I didn’t have supporting me while growing up. As an Asian American man, therapy wasn’t something we talked about in my community or in my family. There was a strong message, spoken and unspoken: push through, don’t complain, keep the family in mind. Emotions were often seen as distractions, even threats to harmony. So when I first found the language to describe my own internal experience in college, it was like a dam breaking.
Read MoreFood is everywhere. It’s not just about nutrition or fuel. It’s tied to memory, family, culture, identity, and control. It can be a source of joy, or it can be a place of shame and guilt. For many people, it’s both.
Read MoreTucker opens up about his journey from finance and chronic pain to somatic therapy and meaningful work. In this honest reflection, he shares how ignoring his body nearly broke him, and how learning to listen changed everything. His story offers a new vision of masculinity rooted in presence, vulnerability, and self-trust.
Read MoreIn this reflection, therapist Becca Reynolds explores how art can help us access deeper truths, confront internalized self-doubt, and reconnect with parts of ourselves we've learned to ignore. Through her personal and clinical lens, she shares why integrating creative expression into therapy might be more essential than we think.
Read MoreSelf Space therapist Kate Roberts shares how kayaking on the Puget Sound—no goals, no agenda—helped her reimagine what meaningful therapy can look like. Sometimes the most powerful healing happens when we stop paddling and let ourselves float.
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