Dear Fellow Traveler: A Letter to the Patient
Dear fellow traveler,
If you’re reading this, you’ve already done something brave—considering change. In The Gift of Therapy, Irvin Yalom describes therapists and clients as fellow travelers. That’s how I practice at Battle On Therapy: two people walking side-by-side, learning, adjusting, and growing together.
I’m Chris Batalon, a licensed therapist serving Seattle, the Eastside, and greater Washington. I treat people, not disorders—and I’ll battle on for you.
What you can expect in our work together
- A collaborative path: We’ll define goals that matter to you—better sleep, fewer spirals, clearer boundaries—and choose skills to practice right away.
- Evidence-based tools: CBT thought-reframing, DBT emotion regulation and distress tolerance, and behavior change steps you can repeat outside of sessions.
- Culturally responsive care: Your identity, family, and community context matter. As a male Asian therapist, I prioritize representation and a judgment-free space—especially for men of color.
- Mind–body options: If helpful, we’ll layer in recovery and movement routines (I’m NASM-CPT certified).
The first session
We slow down and get specific: what’s working, what isn’t, and what a “good week” would look like. You’ll leave with one small skill to test before we meet again.
What therapy is—and isn’t
Therapy isn’t a lecture or a quick fix. It’s a structured, compassionate process that converts insight into practice. You will always have a say in the pace and the plan.
If we’re not the right fit
Fit matters. If you decide to continue elsewhere, there’s no hard feeling—only support. I want you with the therapist who helps you most.
When you’re ready
Whether you’re in Capitol Hill, the International District, Downtown Bellevue, or anywhere in Washington via telehealth, I’m here to walk with you.
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About author
Christopher Batalon
My name is Christopher Batalon—you can call me Chris. I am a fully licensed mental health therapist who specializes in depression, anxiety, men’s issues, identity issues, and multi-cultural issues. Although these are my specialties, the biggest measure of success in therapy when dealing with any issue, is trust and connection. If you have a therapist that you do not connect with, the change process can feel nonexistent. Connection can come in various forms. For instance, you share an area of the U.S. where you live and speak the same cultural language, or the person you are sitting across from simply looks like you. Whatever the case may be, a powerful connection is representation, and working with someone that you feel a strong connection with will greatly elevate the therapeutic process.
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