In 2012, I graduated from the Seattle School of Theology and Pscyhology with a MA in Counseling Psychology. After several years in community mental health working in the queer community, and respectively with men on probation, I was licensed by the state of Washington as a mental health counselor. In 2014, I opened my private practice, where I treat a variety of patients, both individuals and couples. I also supervise young clinicians.

My approach is psychodynamic, which means that I take from several traditions, including the psychoanalytic cannon, existential and intersubjective theory. My focus is on relational dynamics and how we repeat patterns, even eliciting patterns out of others in unconscious attempts to recreate the past. I see patients long term and am most enthused by helping facilitate ambitious change in each patient’s life.

For seven years, I taught undergraduate psychology at Seattle Pacific University. My courses included Lifespan Psychology, Community Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and my most consistent class; Professional Ethics.

In 2024, I was presented with a Distinguished Educator award by the International Forum for Psychoanalytic Education, for my work with Between Us: A Psychotherapy Podcast.

For more information, visit my professional website: www.johntottentherapy.com

A list of conference presentations is below…