Natalie J. Taber, MA, MSW, LICSW
natalie@affinitypsych.com
Hello and welcome! I am Natalie Taber. I have always been interested in how people make sense and meaning of their lives, interested in why and how people act and feel how they do. My practice serves a wide variety of issues and people. I often work with clients who have identities that are de-centered in the dominant culture, and I have special interest and expertise in the areas of gender and sexuality (especially transgender experiences-I am a WPATH provider), identity, complex childhood trauma, navigating higher levels of academia, and bi-cultural/mixed-race experiences.
I hold undergraduate degrees in Philosophy and Religion from Hendrix College, a Masters Degree in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Minnesota. I am a licensed clinical social worker, practicing as a therapist in the Twin Cities for the last 7 years. In addition to private practice, I have worked at Hamm Memorial Psychiatric Clinic and Relate Counseling Center. I did my psychotherapy training at Kente Circle and the MPSI Psychotherapy Center. I also teach Clinical Practice to MSW students as Community Faculty at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work.
I also know that not everyone wants to use insurance for their mental health care. I am happy to see you without insurance through private pay.
How I Work
I believe that we exist and persist in patterns of relating, behaving, thinking and feeling. I believe that people need to be really listened to by someone who can help guide them to understand and transform the patterns they struggle to change on their own. I have developed my practice from the frameworks of attachment theory, developmental theory, and psychoanalytic theory. I come to the work through these frameworks because I know that our selves, our emotional and psychological being, developed in the context of relationship and that we heal in the context of relationship as well.
Sometimes sitting with another person can be a little scary. Especially when we want to connect, we want to be known and seen. And sometimes it’s just what you’re looking for and it feels really relieving to know that you have somebody to sit with you, talk with you, be with you.
I will work with you to connect to your own strength to make your life one you want to live in, no matter what has come before. We will create a place together where you are seen, understood, believed, and supported-a place where you don’t have to pretend. I will provide a calming and supportive presence to build and grow from. I work to help people find relief in the short term while continuing on a path of long-term healing and well-being that will continue long after our work has finished.
I have an outstanding record of helping clients find success in therapy, break the patterns in which they’ve been stuck and feel the freedom of what they can achieve and experience when not beholden to limiting systems.
What Sets Me Apart As a Therapist?
I will deeply listen to you. I will remember the things you’ve told me. In so much un-seeing existence I partner with you to feel safe and be seen.
I am direct and promise to be truthful and transparent, yet gentle and supportive with you. I recognize that many systems that are supposedly set up to be helpful can do a lot of harm. I work from a place of promise for no-surprises, of believing you in your experience, and not from a place of moral superiority. I have lived experience in poverty, long-term homelessness (and all that goes with it), academia, queer community and more. I have worked in collective and community for environmental, gender, and racial and social justice for more than two decades. So you might experience my perspective as different from some others.
I truly believe that people can heal, that solace can be found, that it does not always have to be a fight. Once we have settled into a good rhythm together you’ll find that, in addition to my ever-present cup of coffee, I love to bring play, light and humor to the work. I see my work as active critical engagement with systems of power, resistance in persistence, and healing through relationships. I’m excited to meet you!
