Hello

My name is Xan Schwartz and I’m honored to be taking the role of therapist at this point in my life. I offer clients a warm and calm presence that has been with me since birth! Ever since I was a young child, I have always loved being with people one-on-one or in small groups and sharing deep connections. However, learning to be my authentic self has been an up-and-down journey for me, as it is for many of us. As a teen, therapy played an extremely important role in starting to heal from my own mental health issues. Many young girls, like me back then, struggle quietly with mental health issues that may go undetected. This is equally true for boys and gender fluid young ones as well. I have found immense freedom and growth from therapy and other wellness practices like mindfulness, yoga, and social justice, and I am eager to share what I’ve learned with my clients. It is important to know that the healing process takes time, and that developing a trusting and caring relationship with a therapist can make a very positive impact on our mental, emotional, and even physical health.

Education & Career

Do you ever feel like sometimes you are talking or thinking yourself in circles? At some point on my own healing journey, I decided to try out Somatic Therapy to see if it would provide me with the deeper level of healing that I was seeking. This process involved deep inner listening, developing a connection to my body and emotions, and engaging in Parts Work, which acknowledges the existence of the inner-child within and the many different beliefs and desires that all exist simultaneously. After receiving Somatic Therapy for a few years, I enrolled in Naropa University’s Somatic Psychology program in 2022. I am now entering into my internship here at Pediatric and Adult Behavioral Counseling and will be supervised under Dennielle McIver, MS LPC-S NCC CCTP and will graduate in December of 2025.

Before becoming a therapist, I got an MFA in Creative Writing and was a writing tutor, service worker, substitute teacher, tea-pourer, floatation-tank technician and caregiver among many other odd jobs. I am proud of my diverse work experiences that have connected me with people of different ages, races, ethnicities, languages, religions, class backgrounds, genders, sexualities, and abilities. I also highly value the creative arts and welcome creativity and play to be part of the therapy process if desired.

Specialization and Approach

I'm genuinely excited to connect with you and offer the same safe and supportive space that therapy has provided for me throughout my life. I invite you to step into a pace that's slower and gentler than our everyday world. Together, we'll foster trust, cultivate body awareness, and embark on a journey of self-discovery. My aim is to help you peel back the layers that have accumulated between you and your authentic self. My training is grounded in Somatic, Social Justice, and Person-Centered Therapy, all of which prioritize your unique experience and innate capacity for healing. It's incredibly important to me that you find space from thoughts and patterns that are no longer helpful for you, and that you slowly build your capacity to feel and live more authentically.

As a certified meditation and mindfulness teacher, I bring years of experience with mindfulness and meditation to share with my clients. Mindfulness can be defined as having two pieces: awareness of what is happening in the present moment, and compassion towards what we find when we tune in to the present moment. Mindfulness is like a muscle that we can build slowly over time, and in time it allows us to feel more grounded, calm, present, and alive. I have learned many different techniques over the years that can be used by people with diverse bodies and minds!

For You

It's completely normal to feel a bit anxious or fearful about starting counseling, and I want to reassure you that I take a very gentle approach to getting to know each other. My priority is for you to feel like you have a choice at every step of the way, ensuring your comfort and agency throughout our work together.

Please feel free to ask any questions you have about the process. Your understanding and participation are crucial to our success. If, for any reason, you feel that our therapeutic connection isn't the right fit, I value open communication and will discuss alternative options that may better suit your needs.