Therapy for People who are Childless, Childfree, or Questioning

This is one of the most meaningful areas of my practice, and a personal one. I have lived experience here because when I was reckoning with the fact that children weren't going to be part of my story, I struggled to find a therapist who truly understood. I encountered microaggressions, misunderstanding, and the quiet but painful experience of having both my grief and my joy dismissed. That experience shapes how I show up for clients navigating this part of their lives.

Some topics that show up in therapy often include: Family pressure, navigating baby showers, regret, grief without social recognition, relationship strain when partners disagree, identity outside of parenthood, and the stress of living within pronatalist culture

Not every session will be about not having children. Sometimes the most valuable thing is simply being in the presence of someone who gets it while we work on other areas of your life. If you are still deciding, ambivalent, or sitting with an issue your partner may not share, that is equally welcome. Whether you are childless by circumstance, childfree by choice, or somewhere in the middle still figuring it out, your story is your own and I am here for it!

Frequently Asked questions

Do I need to have made a final decision about children to work with you?"

Absolutely not! It’s very common to not have made a decision, or to not really have a choice in the matter. Many of my clients are on the fence and seek out my sensitivity about this experience as well as some guidance towards a decision.

What if I don’t really call myself childless or childfree?

Also very common and normal. The terminology doesn’t define you and it’s a personal choice. I’ll call you whatever you want :)

Can you see clients outside of seattle or washington?

I’m currently licensed to see clients within Washington and Idaho. Our multi-state licensure is coming soon and I’ll be able to expand my coverage to many other states!

How to Find a Therapist Who Understands Childlessness

Sometimes I have a full caseload or we're simply not the right match, and that's okay. I am passionate about connecting clients without children to good care! Finding a therapist who truly gets the childless or childfree experience is harder than it should be. Many people have sat across from a therapist who, intentionally or not, dismissed their feelings, defaulted to pronatalist assumptions, or simply didn't have the training to hold this part of a client's life well.

This guide was written to help you find someone who either has already done the work to serve you well, or is genuinely willing to do it alongside you.

It covers questions you can ask a prospective therapist before committing, including how to ask about their training with childless and childfree clients, how to raise the topic if you feel misunderstood in session, and what to look for on a therapist's website that signals whether they will truly affirm your experience.

If telehealth is an option for you, remember that you are not limited to your zip code. A therapist who specializes in this area may be practicing across your entire state.

Download the full guide below.