Liberation Psychology guided therapy for queer, neurodivergent people. Specializing in trauma (PTSD/CPTSD), religious trauma, gender affirming care for individuals and families, fat liberation, adoption and attachment.
"Nothing that we do that is worthwhile is done alone."
-Mariame Kaba
An Affirming Space welcomes and honors all bodies, all abilities, all identities, and all experiences.
You are welcome just as you are.
Image ID: a black and white photo shows a fat black femme person wearing glasses and a septum piercing. They are wearing an off the shoulder top and looking up and to the left peacefully. End ID.
Vision
An Affirming Space is a mental health collective providing healing through relationship building. It is a space that affirms your unique identity and your unique experience. Together, we can explore healing and empowerment while celebrating who you are in a society that does not always recognize your value.
Guiding Values
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Transparency
Therapy shouldn’t be confusing! I believe that maintaining transparency about each part of the therapeutic process reduces the often-found power dynamics in therapy and creates a safe and trusting healing environment from which to grow. We are humans connecting meaningfully and authentically and radical transparency fosters trust in that relationship.
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Community
Healing does not happen alone. We are part of communities of hope and healing, and often ones of harm and pain. Community is critical for individual and large-scale healing and empowerment, from the therapist-client relationship outward into the world, finding people who affirm you as you are.
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Social advocacy
Therapy has often been an oppressive space rooted in classism, patriarchy, and white supremacy. Undoing this as a practice personally and in community is a key value of mine and an ongoing process that I take very seriously. This includes the relationship of An Affirming Space as a part of the community as a helpful member pursuing healing practices including support of local issues, mutual aid, and engagement in changing oppressive systems for the benefit of the community.
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Curiosity
Curiosity allows space for exploration, softening blame and shame, and openness to different options. As a helper, I value curiosity in getting to know what is important and impactful for you rather than assuming that something has to be a certain way. I will hold space for you to be as you are, and approach your story with curiosity and honoring as we explore what opportunities are available to you in your unique identity and story.
Natalie Favorite Chen, LMFT
My role is to be a supporter and advocate in helping unveil the most vibrant person you can be. I specialize in trauma, gender and sexuality and asexuality, adoption and attachment, and body justice.
Currently the majority meetings are held virtually using a secure video platform to protect our community during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. There are very limited in-person spaces available and mask wearing and vaccination is enforced to promote the protection of our community. Additionally, in the office I have HEPA air filtration. Our wellbeing depends on one another!
Image ID: Natalie, a fat white femme presenting person, smiles while looking at the camera. They are wearing a white shirt with olive branches on it and their hair is shoulder length and blondeish. They are in front of a wall outdoors that has small white flowers and green vines.
What Can I Do For You?
Together, we can explore how experiences including anxiety, depression, overstimulation leading ot burnout, “people-pleasing,” feeling out of control, guilt, poor body image or negative self-esteem, difficulty trusting yourself and others, and difficulty connecting in meaningful ways may no longer be serving you. We will first create safety in the therapy space (this is ongoing as well), then we will explore how these patterns have emerged in your life and what other options there are for you now. We can explore ways to create a feeling of safety, trust, and empowerment within your body and the world around you, as much as can be attained in a world that is unsafe for many. I will listen to your goals for therapy and work with you to find empowerment, delight, joy, trust in yourself and safe others, and intentionality and meaning in the life you are building—even if the stressors are still present or unable to change quickly.
Services
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Individual therapy (14 years and older)
Specializing in: Trauma and PTSD, EMDR, Attachment, LGBTQ+, Adoption and attachment, Fat Acceptance and Liberation
$225 / 60 minutes
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Family therapy
Attachment-focused therapy for parents supporting their transgender children.
$275 / 60 minutes
$350 / 90 minutes
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EMDR
Safe and meaningful ways to heal after trauma and PTSD
$225 / 60 minutes
$300 / 90 minutes
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Gender-affirming letters
Contact me to discuss sliding scale opportunities for obtaining your letter! No one turned away for lack of funds.