I'm Stefan Waltke, and I'm glad to meet you! I know that sometimes people feel nervous about approaching therapy. It can be even overwhelming to get to the point where you feel that something is not OK, and that perhaps you need some help from a professional. The important thing is that you are here, and you are seeking help. I am glad to be in a position to help you out. I specialize in providing treatment to people with anxiety, depression, and helping LGBTQ+ people with whatever issues may be facing them. I also have extensive experience in working with addictions, too!

Hello, and welcome! My introduction to the counseling field began while working within therapeutic group homes that served children through adults experiencing mental health struggles. This experience, both enriching and meaningful, inspired my interest in pursuing counseling. I was deeply moved by the varying degrees of challenging life experiences that we are all tasked with navigating and the ways we attempt to cope, gain insight from, and hopefully transform our adverse circumstances. I received my Master of Social Work degree from Portland State University and since, I’ve had the opportunity to assist a diverse range of clients in both inpatient treatment and outpatient therapy settings, and more recently, at a college counseling clinic at the University of Montana. Within these programs, I’ve helped clients address anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, academic challenges, relationships, identity changes, sexuality, and general life stressors. I am grateful that I can work to help individuals navigate the evolving nature of their lives by providing unconditional positive regard, encouragement, and supportive guidance.

I feel that clients shouldn't have to be in therapy forever! While co-creating this process with you, I strive to balance my active listening with imparting active, hands-on techniques to help you reclaim your narrative and overcome obstacles in your path. I feel it's about more water rather than less soda, so to speak, and take both a clinical and holistic approach to helping you enhance alignment and experience deeper fulfillment in your journey. Along with my LCSW, I am trained in EMDR, certified in Theta Healing, Reiki, Transformational Life Coaching, and Therapeutic Touch, and Master Practitioner certified in Neuro Linguistic Programming, Hypnotherapy, and Time Line Therapy. I feel I provide a safe space where shame and judgements are left at the door, and we will explore your wants, needs, and feelings with curiosity and compassion. I feel it's very much a co-created process, as you know more about you than I ever will. The work is also far more about our uncovering your truth than you adopting mine. With that said, I have a wide array of modalities and approaches I feel I have quite dialed in, and we can collaboratively determine which tools and approaches best suit your needs. My hope is that our work together will help you feel not only hear and validated, but also empowered and aware of how to eat the elephant on your own going forward. I see this work as us walking side by side, with you gradually taking the lead with me supportively in your corner. If you have something pressing you wish to discuss in session, that will always take precedence. My job is ultimately to actively listen and hold space. With that said, if that's all I was doing, you'd inevitably say, "Robby, you're a nice guy. But I don't know how much we're actually getting done." To that end, I feel it's far more important to determine HOW you think rather than WHAT you think. So it tends to be important for us to explore unconscious limiting beliefs and emotions along with the conscious. You can also expect to learn clear and concise action steps (ranging from mindfulness exercises to creative writing prompts to holistic practices like meditation and breathwork) to help you regulate your emotions and reclaim your narrative. I feel that many people are hesitant to engage in therapy because they perceive a stigma tied to seeking support. After all, the notion of "mentally ill" does have a negative connotation. The way I see it, though the process is not about fixing a broken thing, but rather enhancing one's alignment and fulfillment (and okay, yes, also confronting obstacles to those pieces). But if the focus is on "Where am I trying to get to and how will I know that I got there?" where our work is to simply close the gap between here and there, it can help us leave shame and judgements at the door, and perhaps even enable you to look forward to increased awareness and empowerment in your journey forward.

Licensed clinical social worker in the State of California with over 23 years of professional experience. Committed to helping my clients by providing comprehensive mental health treatment services, psycho-education, and advocacy. A strong commitment to serving the needs of individuals suffering from mental health issues, difficult relationships, work stress, and chronic unhappiness. Here to help you feel better now and work towards creating a satisfying and joyful life.