by Michael Stravato, LMFT
People sometimes ask me, “After all these years, what keeps you motivated to be a therapist?”
It’s a fair question.
With nearly 25 years of experience as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I’ve spent much of my career working with
adolescents and adults navigating trauma, grief, addiction, anxiety, depression, and major life transitions. I’ve sat
with people during some of the darkest seasons of their lives—what many describe as a dark night of the soul.
And yet, I still wake up each morning wanting to do this work.
Here’s why.
Helping People Find Meaning in the Midst of Suffering
One of the biggest things that motivates me as a therapist is my belief that meaning can still be found, even in suffering.
I don’t believe pain is something we should minimize or explain away. Life can be unfair, traumatic, and deeply painful. But I do believe that human beings are capable of finding purpose, resilience, and direction—even when circumstances feel overwhelming.
Much of my work is grounded in logotherapy, which focuses on meaning-making during difficult experiences. I gently guide clients to explore their values and belief systems—whatever those may be—to help them make sense of what they’re going through and reconnect with their inner strength.
This process looks different for every person. Sometimes it’s practical and grounded. Sometimes it’s emotional. Sometimes it’s spiritual. The goal is never to impose meaning, but to help clients discover what feels true and sustaining for them.
Why I’m Drawn to People in Crisis
I specialize in working with individuals who are in crisis or transition—people dealing with grief and loss, trauma, addiction, serious illness, or major life changes.
I’ve always felt drawn to these moments because they matter. When someone says, “I don’t know how to keep going,” that moment deserves care, steadiness, and respect.
Working with teens and adults in therapy, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be when someone realizes they’re not broken—they’re responding to overwhelming circumstances. And I’ve seen that even when someone feels stuck, change is still possible.
That belief keeps me engaged and hopeful, even on hard days.
The Power of Rewriting the Story
I love the study of people—what motivates change, how growth happens, and how resilience
often emerges through hardship.
Many clients come into therapy carrying painful narratives:
- “This is all my fault.”
- “I’ll never feel normal again.”
- “This one experience defines me.”
Using approaches like narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care, we begin to gently explore those stories. Not to deny pain—but to create room for a more compassionate and empowering understanding of their experience.
Watching someone shift from seeing themselves as “damaged” to recognizing their strength, agency, and capacity for growth is one of the most meaningful parts of being a therapist.
A Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed Approach to Therapy
At the core of my work is a person-centered approach. I don’t see therapy as fixing people. I see it as creating a safe, collaborative space where healing can unfold at the client’s pace.
My background includes decades of clinical experience along with a pastoral foundation. I consider myself an inclusive Christian counselor, meaning I respect and honor clients’ faith backgrounds without ever imposing beliefs. Spirituality can be integrated into therapy when clients desire, always with openness and care.
Above all, I strive to show up as a steady, compassionate presence—especially when life feels anything but steady.
The Small Moments That Matter Most
What keeps me grounded in this work isn’t always big breakthroughs.
It’s the quieter moments:
- A client realizing they’re not alone.
- Someone learning how to regulate their nervous system after trauma.
- A teenager finding words for emotions they’ve never been allowed to express.
- A person discovering they still have choices, even in painful circumstances.
These moments are subtle, but they’re powerful. And they add up.
Why I Still Love Being a Therapist
After more than 20 years as a therapist, I still believe deeply in people. I still believe healing is possible. And I still consider it a privilege to walk alongside clients as they move toward healing, clarity, and renewed purpose.
What gets me up in the morning isn’t having all the answers—it’s being present while someone begins to find their own.
If you’re going through a difficult season and wondering whether things can feel different, my answer is simple: yes, they can. And you don’t have to navigate it alone.
