Natalie Chen, LMFT

I enjoy working with adolescents, adults, and families. I have specific experience and passion for working with LGBTQ+ individuals and their families and provide gender-affirming therapeutic support. I write letters for gender affirming care and provide support to individuals and families navigating different stages of transitioning, coming out, and navigating life changes.
I am also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and I provide trauma-informed care to all folx with whom I work.
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My name is Natalie (she/her). I am a cisgender white fat woman and I believe that in order for meaningful work to be done clinically, it is important to identify how systems of oppression (racism, homophobia, transphobia, patriarchy, capitalism, anti-fatness, ableism) impact the mental health of folx experiencing marginalization and oppression–whether that be relationships, behaviors, self-esteem, you name it.

Therapy is a space where safety and identity are sacred. You have been uniquely formed by your lived experiences, identities, and upbringing. Together, we can unpack how these have come together to form who you are and we can separate the parts that are treasured and cherished from the parts that aren’t working (anxiety, fear, dissatisfying relationships, self-criticism, guilt, shame, overwhelm) and integrate all parts of yourself towards a place of peace and empowerment. You were never broken, you were never the problem.

I utilize a person-centered, trauma-informed approach that considers how systems of oppression have combined with your lived experience to bring you to where you are today. In order to pursue personal growth and healing, it is vital to critically evaluate how unjust systems maintain oppression and how to reduce that impact through liberation practices including welcoming community, corrective experiences, and justice work.

I am trained in EMDR and am a Certified Trauma Professional. I use an attachment lens for all my work, since we as humans were created for connection and are so often harmed by people and communities small and large. I am passionate about working with LGBTQ+ folx and I love to provide gender-affirming care, folx who have experienced adoption, and in working with folx who have experienced trauma of all kinds. I am passionate about body justice and fat liberation and recognizing harm caused by anti-fat bias and I have lived experience as a fat woman. Additionally, I have lived experience overcoming religious trauma and am passionate about working with these populations and finding liberation from shame caused by religious oppression.

I also am passionate about supporting folx in receiving gender-affirming care and provide letters for those seeking gender-affirming medical treatment. Please talk to me about sliding scale for accessing letters for receiving affirming care.