Madeline Taylor, LAPC

What originally drew you toward becoming a therapist?

I was inspired to become a therapist through my own transformative journey in therapy. Working with my therapists over the years has helped me strengthen my voice and confidence, deepen my understanding of myself, build stronger relationships, and become a steadier version of myself (and I’m still growing!) My experiences as a client were so meaningful and life-changing that I wanted to dive deeper into the therapeutic space and, ultimately, help provide others with the same kind of support, growth, and transformation that therapy has offered me.

What do clients often feel relieved that they do not have to explain, hide or justify with you?

Shame! Sometimes clients show up feeling that something is deeply wrong with them, and they may want to hide those parts of themselves from the world, including from their therapist. Over time, through the therapeutic relationship, I hope we can begin to chip away at those big, looming feelings of shame, doubt, and insecurity that so many of us carry. My hope is that clients can come to know that they do not have to hide or justify the parts of themselves they struggle with but instead will be met with curiosity, compassion, and acceptance.

What makes the therapeutic space you create feel different from other spaces in a client’s life?

We co-create a space where you can be completely authentic and are met with warmth, acceptance, and attentiveness. I may gently name something I am noticing from my perspective as an outsider and offer you the opportunity to explore it, if and when it feels right for you.

The therapeutic space is unique in that I do not have an ulterior motive or an agenda for who you should be or how you should live your life. Unlike many of the other relationships and spaces we move through, my focus is simply on understanding you and continually considering what might be most supportive for you from moment to moment.

How do you help someone move away from asking, “What is wrong with me?” and toward understanding what they have adapted to or survived?

I draw from parts work and systems theories to explore the broader context in which we have developed and continue to live. I encourage clients to view their behaviors and reactions not as inherent character flaws or weaknesses, but as responses that make sense within the complex web of their inner world, relationships, and environment.
Together, we can become curious about what these parts of you may have learned to do in order to cope, protect you, or help you survive. This does not mean avoiding accountability or responsibility for our actions. Rather, I believe accountability and self-compassion can and should co-exist.