Meet Therin
Therin Slayton, PsyD
(they/them)
Areas of Focus: LGBTQIA+, polyamory, anxiety/stress, college students, neurodiversity, life transitions
Young Adults and Adults
Accepts BCBS PPO, Blue Choice PPO, and Aetna PPO
Available in Illinois only
Howdy! Thanks for stopping by to read more about me and my approach to therapy. My name’s Therin. If you’ve been struggling with issues of identity, spirituality and religion, finding meaning, feeling present, wounds from childhood, anxiety about life transitions, or how to blossom and care for yourself in a world that prefers the straight and narrow, keep reading to see if I can help!
As someone who doesn’t fit into society’s rigid expectations of gender, sexuality, spirituality, bodyminds, and relationship configurations, I strive to embrace and celebrate the individuality of each person sitting across from me. You are a whole and complex person worthy of personalized, excellent care, and that is what I aim to provide.
WHO I WORK WITH
My primary specialization is in working with folks who are part of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. I have a soft spot for the trans, nonbinary and gender expansive community, in particular. I also love working with students (non-traditional, too!), religious and spiritual minorities, disabled people, neurodiverse folks, ethically non-monogamous individuals, and artists of all kinds.
WORKING WITH ME
Although I have extensive training, I know I am not the expert on the ins and outs of what it’s like to be you. I strive to, above all else, truly listen and understand you. I want to help you move toward what is authentic for you while honoring your unique identities, social contexts, ways of being, and histories.
Compassion, creativity, exploration, experimentation and genuine, transparent conversations are the foundations of my approach to therapy. I focus on building honest, comfortable, and empowering relationships to bring about the changes you’d like to see. In all my work, I strive for down-to-earth interactions and center your empowerment, safety, sincerity, and values.
I believe that, deep down, we often know what we need to create fulfillment in our lives. But sometimes it’s difficult to hear ourselves over the stress of daily life. I also believe that we cannot do life alone. Interdependence and connection are vital parts of being human, and healing is frequently easier when we do it with others.
Together, we can gain clarity about what really matters to us, shed restrictive expectations about what gives us worth, and work to shape our day-to-day so it brings ease, meaning, and nourishment – even amidst life’s uncertainty, pain and struggle.
Looking for a specific technique or theoretical approach? I integrate several therapeutic approaches according to clients’ learning styles, needs, and preferences. That includes intersectional justice-focused frameworks, positive and strengths-based psychology, third-wave cognitive-behavioral therapies, mindfulness, self-compassion techniques, trauma recovery models, and attachment theory.
I am pre-licensed therapist under the supervision of Dr. Aretha Steele. I graduated with a doctorate in clinical psychology from Adler University. I have trained at several community mental health sites across Chicago, and two college counseling centers.
Doing the work of therapy is courageous. I would be honored to accompany you, at whatever pace you like, on the journey. Self-reflection, discovery and change are not always easy, but they are gentler and more fulfilling when we do them together.
FUN FACTS
When I’m not doing therapy, I’m probably playing video games with my partners, reading about random things on Wikipedia, discovering new music and making playlists, chilling with my cats (Chex and Zora), attempting to bake or garden, or playing tabletop role-playing games.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
You deserve to start feeling better. If you have more questions or want to talk with us first, feel free to reach out. We are happy to help!