ROMAN MICHAEL
(They/Them)

Being a helper and witnessing people’s journey towards self-empowerment and acceptance gives me purpose and fulfillment in life. I love nothing more than seeing someone who came in feeling stuck find a pathway to happiness, peace, and acceptance. Moments of cheerleading and celebrating with people as they reach their goals become memories I cherish and the fuel to help others have their moments too.

It’s so important to me to maintain this sacred space of healing to keep it free from the judgments and pressures of our society and wider world. Meeting all my people with kindness, empathy, open-mindedness, and acceptance helps me create a space for people to open up and share their deepest truths. We all deserve room to breathe and process life’s difficulties, and I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to help others through their rough spots.

Who Am I?

Walt Whitman wrote, “I am large. I contain multitudes.” And aren’t we all, don’t we all. I am a nerd who loves to learn anything science-y (social sciences and astronomy are the coolest!). I love to read and am always ready for a book recommendation; my TBR is 4-miles long and constantly growing (I am rarely steered wrong by a queer fantasy/sci-fi romance). I love Star Trek and baking and video gaming when I’m at home and not working, and I enjoy getting on stage with improv and going to all the fun food places around St. Louis when I’m getting out.
 
Some of my identities also give me a unique perspective and level of expertise in the areas I specialize. As a non-binary, queer, sexual human, I have dedicated much of my reading and work to learning about the specific issues my community faces when it comes to existing, relationship-ing, and getting intimate and how to support people through them. I have had my own journeys with mental health and self-acceptance, but choosing this career was driven by my insatiable curiosity about the workings of the human mind and how that is impacted by the people and world around us. It’s been a challenging but very rewarding journey that has led here, and I could not be more excited to see where it goes from here.

My Philosophy

First, I want to express my deep passion for the work of therapy and the transformative power that it can have on people’s lives. I hold a strong belief that every human being has unlimited potential, no matter what challenges they may have faced in their past. I very much believe that anyone has the capacity for growth and change no matter how old, young, or “messed up” they feel. However, I tell all my people that you will get out of therapy what you put into it; it takes effort and desire along with the support and space I can provide in order to reach new places.
 
One of the biggest obstacles that people I work with often confront: shame. This powerful emotion holds so many back and keeps them from living authentically or reaching their fullest potential. Shame exists heavily in areas society considers taboo or unacceptable–areas like sex, kink/BDSM, open/poly relationships, or certain gender or sexual identities. This is why I am committed to helping people work toward self-compassion and acceptance by shining a light on that shame in order to create room for healing.
 
As a therapist, I act as a supportive and non-judgmental guide in the journey towards self-acceptance and personal growth. I help people in developing the skills and tools they need to move forward with confidence and certainty, and help them to experience a renewed sense of self. I believe that everyone deserves space to work through life’s challenges while feeling supported and cared for in the depths of their stress. Through our shared process, my aim is to encourage people to continue their growth and loving themselves even after our work together has concluded.