Todd Klempner (he/him)

My Approach to Helping

I specialize and am certified in Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT) which targets issues of "over-control" (perfectionism, rigid thinking, loneliness, low self esteem, etc...) that can lead to entrenched anxiety/depression and emphasize self enquiry/shadow work to help people focus on learning about how their emotions are impacting them to assess for and to enact change. My process includes learning to better control your neuro-regulatory system through gaining awareness and facing one's emotional discomfort by getting curious and leaning into one's "shadow" to live more meaningfully, autonomously and closer to one's own value system. Diversity and inclusivity are paramount in my practice and integral to creating a space for clients to be open. I consider myself neurodiverse and strongly adhere to perspectives that challenge ableism and neurotypical stigma's.

My Values as a Therapist

I believe that therapy is about creating space to learn than one can open up and tolerate emotional discomfort in order to take accountability to be a better "tribe member" to others while also being kinder to themselves. I value openness in a fundamental way in my practice to combat shame and defensiveness through creativity, humor, and curiosity. Humans are social creatures and are interdependent on each other, so how we show up is directly linked towards how we feel. We live in a day and age where oppressive forces and marginalized communities are being actively traumatized and targeted and core to my practice is standing up for and advocating for those communities who are being persecuted. As someone who is neurodiverse, vegan, animal lover, "deep listener" and an experimental music maker, I see creativity, art and inclusivity as key mechanisms towards deep meaning and profound experience.