Meet Stephanie Harimoto | Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Harimoto and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my own practice felt like both a personal and professional calling. I wanted the freedom to work in a way that aligned with my values of being trauma-informed, affirming, and deeply relational. I found that many agency or group settings didn’t allow for the kind of depth and nuance I wanted in my work, especially with marginalized communities like queer folks, neurodiverse clients, or those healing from religious trauma. Opening my own business gave me the space to create a practice that feels safe, intentional, and authentic for both me and the people I work with. It was also a way to model for myself and my clients what it means to choose yourself, take up space, and build something meaningful on your own terms.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My private practice was born out of a deep desire to create a therapeutic space that feels safe, affirming, and deeply human. I work primarily with queer folks, late bloomers, those navigating family of origin wounds, and people recovering from religious trauma or high-control environments. What sets my work apart is the blend of clinical depth with radical compassion. I hold space for the messiness of being human while also helping clients build real, practical tools for change.

Getting here wasn’t easy. Like many therapists in private practice, I faced the fear of going out on my own – questioning whether I’d find clients, whether I could make it sustainable, whether there was room for the kind of work I wanted to do. But I kept coming back to the people I wanted to serve, and to my own healing journey. Slowly, with the support of peers, mentors, and a whole lot of trial and error, I am building something that feels aligned with who I am.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that there’s no one-size-fits-all blueprint for success, especially in healing professions. The more I gave myself permission to lead with authenticity, the more ease and connection I found in business and in life.

What I want people to know is that my practice and my work is deeply personal. It’s shaped by lived experience, by grief and growth, by liberation and repair. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt like they were “too much” or “not enough.” You deserve care that honors your full story.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If a friend of mine was visiting the area, I’d want to savor every moment. We’d definitely plan for an eventful, but slow week. Some of the places I would definitely want to visit would be the Huntington Gardens, the Norton Simon Museum, or catch a show at the Playhouse.

I am all about quality time, so we would definitely be sure to sit in coffee shops and catch up. Syndicate in Sierra Madre or Home Brewed Bar in Pasadena are a couple of my go-to shops.

I’d also make sure to bounce around the various antique and thrift shops in Pasadena, or pick up a new book at Fables & Fancies in Sierra Madre.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people and communities who’ve shaped my journey, but if I had to choose one, I’d dedicate my shoutout to the queer, neurodivergent, and the religious trauma survivors I’ve had the honor of working with. Their resilience, honesty, and courage have deeply influenced not just how I practice as a therapist, but how I show up in my own life.

I’m also deeply grateful to the supervisors and group practices that shaped my early career. Their guidance, encouragement, and willingness to let me find my voice laid the foundation for stepping out on my own. They helped me build confidence, deepen my clinical work, and trust that there was space for the kind of therapist I wanted to be.

Website: https://www.stephanieharimototherapy.com

Instagram: @sittingwithstephanie