Chris Paton
Have you ever sat across from a therapist and had to explain yourself before you could even get to what's actually going on — your relationship structure, your gender, your community? Have you left sessions feeling more tired from the education than the therapy? I'm a Seattle-based psychotherapist with over a decade of clinical experience, and I built my practice so that doesn't happen here. Who I work with: • Adults across the lifespan • Queer, LGBTQIA+, and gender-diverse people • Polyamorous and ethically non-monogamous folks • Kink and sex-positive community members • Trans and gender-expansive clients — I also write secondary letters for gender-affirming surgeries My approach is grounded in Person-Centered Therapy: unconditional positive regard, in a space that's affirming, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. My style is laid-back but engaged — I'm not a blank wall. Whether you're facing anxiety, navigating a life transition, exploring your identity, or just looking for a space to feel truly heard — we can figure out what that looks like for you.
First session
Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other — no pressure, no clinical distance, just a real conversation. • We'll cover the practical stuff first. How I work, confidentiality, insurance, scheduling, what online sessions look like — so the logistics are out of the way. • Then it's your space to talk. I'll ask what's bringing you to therapy right now, and I want to hear it in your own words. No explaining or justifying who you are first. • We'll end with clarity, not a checklist. You'll walk away knowing how I work, what ongoing sessions would feel like, and what pace feels right for you. This first session is really about one thing: building trust and seeing if we're a good fit.
Strengths
Queer, kinky, poly, ENM, trans — these aren't boxes that I check. They're communities that I know deeply, both personally and through over a decade of clinical work. If you've wondered whether a therapist will truly get your life without judgment or unsolicited education, you won't have to explain yourself here. I bring more than clinical training to this work — I bring lived experience and genuine curiosity. Whether it's anxiety, depression, identity, or relationship dynamics, I offer a space where you can show up fully as yourself and be met with real understanding instead of a crash course. Therapy isn't about fixing you — it's about supporting you in becoming more fully yourself.
Ideal clients
• Adults across the lifespan — from young adults to elders • LGBTQIA+, queer, and gender-diverse individuals • People in polyamorous or ethically non-monogamous relationships • Kink and sex-positive community members • Clients navigating identity exploration or a major life transition • Anyone who wants a therapist who already understands their world, not one they have to educate from scratch • Clients who value a real, collaborative relationship over clinical distance and are looking for consistency and trust over time
Treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
In my practice, person-centered therapy means you're the expert on your own life — not me. I show up as a real person rather than a distant clinical presence, building the relationship on trust, respect, and genuine care instead of a rigid script. That means: • Leading with empathy and unconditional positive regard • No judgment, no unsolicited education about who you are • No pressure to fit your story into a preset framework • Sessions that follow what's most alive for you, not a checklist I've decided on in advance You'll walk away with a relationship where you don't have to explain yourself, practical tools for what brought you in, and a stronger sense of your own voice — not just this hour, but going forward.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- WashingtonLicense MHC.LH.60722750