Cindy Tollen

Therapy is a second career for me, and not one I originally saw coming. Life has a sense of humor that way. I graduated in 2024 and have worked in community mental health, which has shaped the way I show up with clients: grounded, realistic, and aware that people are often carrying more than what is visible on the surface. I see therapy as a space where you can be fully human. You do not have to have the perfect words, a neatly organized life story, or a clear starting point. We can begin with what feels most present and work from there. My goal is to create a space where clients feel safe enough to be honest, supported enough to keep going, and challenged enough to grow.

My approach is direct, warm, and collaborative. I care deeply about creating a safe and respectful environment, but I also do not believe therapy should be a place where we avoid the hard things. I will not placate you or simply tell you what you want to hear. When I notice patterns, inconsistencies, or places where your words and actions may not be lining up, I will gently and directly bring those into the room. That said, my goal is never to shame or criticize. My goal is to help you better understand yourself, your patterns, your relationships, and the choices available to you. I believe meaningful change happens when honesty and compassion can exist in the same space. We will work together to identify what is keeping you stuck, build insight, and develop practical ways to move forward.

The first session is mostly about getting to know each other. We will talk about what brings you to therapy, what has been going on recently, and what you hope might be different. We will also begin building rapport, co-creating goals, and, in plain terms, figuring each other out.

You do not need to arrive with everything perfectly explained. The first session is a starting point, not a performance. My job is to help you feel comfortable enough to begin, ask thoughtful questions, and work with you to decide what direction therapy should take. By the end, we should have a clearer sense of your goals and what our work together may look like.