Pioneering Compassionate Relationship Healing

Travis Atkinson, LCSW, LICSW, is the visionary founder of Loving at Your Best Marriage and Couples Counseling.

With nearly three decades of experience, Travis brings a unique blend of world-class expertise, multicultural understanding, and genuine compassion to his role as a relationship expert and innovator in couples therapy.

Pioneering Expertise and Mentorship

Travis’s journey in individual, couples, and group therapy is marked by learning from and collaborating with some of the field’s most influential figures:

• Schema Therapy: Mentored by Jeffrey Young, the founder of schema therapy, since 1998, Travis co-created schema therapy for couples, revolutionizing the field.
• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Worked closely with the late Sue Johnson, EFT’s founder, from 2006 onwards, developing advanced skills in this powerful approach.
• Integrated Approach: Creator of the Loving at Your Best Plan, seamlessly blending schema therapy, EFT, Gottman method, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Leadership and Contributions

Travis’s impact extends beyond his clinical work:

• One of the founders of the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST)
• Served on the executive board  of ISST for six years, helping quadruple the society’s size
• Author of key chapters in groundbreaking books:
  
  • “Creative Methods of Schema Therapy” (Routledge, 2020)
  • “Handbook of Schema Therapy” (Wiley-Blackwell, 2012)
• Co-presenter with Sue Johnson in a pioneering EFT training video for gay and lesbian couples (2014)

Education and Training

• Graduate Degree in Clinical Social Work, New York University (1995)
• Graduate Degree in Management, New York University (1996)
• Bachelor’s Degree in European Studies with minors in Psychology, Sociology, and Communications
• Fluent in Dutch, proficient in German

Certifications and Achievements

• Honorary Lifetime Member of the International Society of Schema Therapy (2020)
• Certified Advanced Schema Therapist, Supervisor, and Trainer for Individuals and Couples (2008)
• Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist and Supervisor (2010)
• Certified Gottman Method Couples Therapist (2006)
• Certified Group Psychotherapist (2009)

Multicultural Perspective

Travis’s approach to therapy is profoundly influenced by his rich international experiences and ongoing cultural exploration:

• Immersed himself in German culture during two study abroad programs
• Lived in the Netherlands for two years, gaining deep insights into Dutch society and customs
• Continues to travel abroad, constantly expanding his understanding of diverse cultures
• Passionate about integrating multicultural insights into his therapeutic practice

This international background allows Travis to view each couple’s relationship as a unique cultural entity. He brings a nuanced understanding of how diverse backgrounds, values, and experiences shape relationship dynamics, fostering a therapeutic environment that celebrates and leverages these differences.

Philosophy and Approach

“Every couple’s journey is unique,” Travis believes. “My role is to honor your story, meet you where you are, and guide you towards the connection you seek.” This philosophy, rooted in deep respect for each couple’s individual culture and dynamics, informs every aspect of his therapeutic approach.

Personal Touch

Travis’s life outside the therapy room reflects the very values he encourages in healthy relationships: balance, growth, and deep connections.

• Family First: Cherishes time with his beloved spouse, embodying the partnership principles he advocates for clients.
• Furry Companion: Devoted to his dog Schatje, whose name reflects Travis’s Dutch connections and adds warmth to his home life.
• Active Lifestyle: An avid cyclist, skier, and hiker, Travis embraces the outdoors and the lessons nature offers about resilience and adaptation.
• Lifelong Learner: Often found engrossed in a non-fiction beach read, continuously expanding his mind and bringing fresh insights to his practice.
• Art Enthusiast: Appreciates Dutch masters, finding parallels between the nuances in art and the complexities of human relationships.

These personal passions not only make Travis relatable but also infuse his therapeutic approach with richness and depth. They remind him daily of the importance of work-life balance, the joy of continuous growth, and the profound impact of loving connections – lessons he brings into every therapy session.

Commitment to You

At Loving at Your Best, Travis combines world-class expertise with a deeply personal approach, shaped by his own experiences in love, family, and personal growth. He and his team are dedicated to meeting you where you are, valuing your unique story, and guiding you towards a stronger, more fulfilling relationship.

Whether you’re facing challenges or seeking to deepen your connection, Travis Atkinson offers the rare combination of pioneering expertise and heartfelt understanding. Let him help you and your partner write the next chapter of your love story, informed by decades of professional wisdom and a genuine appreciation for life’s beautiful complexities.