Sebastian Saldarriaga Rodriguez, Intern

I am a bilingual (English and Spanish), gay, Latino, cisgender man and immigrant from Colombia. I understand how layered and personal our stories can be, especially when navigating systems not built for everyone.

I believe therapy should be a space where you feel safe to show up fully without judgment. Whether you are exploring identity, working through trauma, navigating relationships, or trying to make sense of your emotions, I will walk alongside you with curiosity, warmth, and respect.

I work with both individuals and couples, and I draw primarily from a person-centered approach, integrating psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly for cognitive reframing. My work focuses on helping clients understand patterns, reconnect with their inner strengths, and challenge internalized messages to move toward a more authentic and empowered life.

Areas I commonly support include:

Identity & Cultural Experiences

• LGBTQIA+ and heterosexual clients

• Coming out and internalized homophobia

• Gender, sexual, and cultural identity exploration

• Immigrants, Latinx, and BIPOC populations

Emotional Wellbeing

• Anxiety and depression

• Self-worth, self-acceptance, and identity confusion

• Grief and loss

• Dating anxiety

Relationships & Life Transitions

• Relationship challenges, including infidelity

• Monogamous and non-traditional relationships (polyamory, ethical non-monogamy)

• Separation and divorce

• Life transitions, including adapting to new environments, post-relationship changes, and family of origin dynamics

Trauma

• Chronic trauma

Sex & Intimacy

• Erectile dysfunction

• Intimacy concerns

• Sexual trauma

• Kink-affirming care

• Exploration of sexual preferences and fantasies

Work & Performance

• Work stress and burnout

• High-achieving and high-performing individuals

• Career pressure and identity tied to achievement

I work with individuals from all backgrounds and have particular experience supporting LGBTQIA+ and multicultural clients navigating identity, relationships, cultural expectations, and systemic pressures.

I am pursuing my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northwestern University and previously served as a bilingual volunteer counselor with Crisis Text Line. Before entering the counseling field, I spent over 12 years in corporate marketing strategy, holding director and vice president roles across brands such as Michael Kors, Bottega Veneta, and Neiman Marcus, which informs my understanding of high-performance and corporate environments.

I believe healing happens in connection with ourselves, others, and our communities. I aim to co-create a space where you feel heard, empowered, and never alone in your growth.

Sebastian is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern under the clinical supervision of Courtney Geter, LMFT-S, CST-S.