Michael Stahler, AMFT
Therapist in Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks
Hi, I’m Michael Stahler
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist AMFT# 163951
Life is full of uncertainty, which can feel overwhelming when you’re carrying the weight of trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, or major life transitions. What if uncertainty could also be seen as adventure? I work with adults, adolescents, and families seeking a space to slow down, feel understood, and reconnect with what matters most. Together, we’ll explore your experiences with curiosity and compassion, helping you build resilience, deepen self-awareness, break free from unhelpful patterns, and create a life that feels more meaningful, authentic, and aligned with your values.
When we lead with curiosity, it invites the opportunity to face current challenges while also reconnecting to the adventure and joy life can offer. Whether you’re navigating a difficult season, working through past experiences, or simply feeling ready for something to change, you don’t have to do it alone. I’d be honored to walk alongside you as you discover new possibilities, deepen your connection with yourself, and create meaningful, lasting change.
You are a dynamic, complex, and unique individual, and I am passionate about helping my clients create a meaningful and rich life that reflects this uniqueness. The beginning of any adventure can feel both intimidating and overwhelming, but you don’t have to face life’s challenges alone. By considering getting started in therapy, you are already walking the path toward a deeper understanding of who you are, where you have been, and where you are going. In starting therapy with me, you will be seen, heard, and accepted.
Consider me as a fellow traveler who is going on the journey with you, encouraging you to slow down and notice what’s important along the way.
My Specialties Include:
Trauma/C-PTSD and Stress
Relationships and Attachment
Adult, Children/Teen, and Family Therapy
IN THERAPY
I believe therapy is most meaningful when you feel safe enough to show up exactly as you are. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in person-centered and existential therapy, creating a space where you can feel heard, understood, and accepted without judgment. Together, we’ll explore not only the challenges that brought you to therapy, but also the deeper questions of identity, relationships, purpose, and what it means to create a life that feels authentic and fulfilling.
Because every person and every story is unique, I tailor therapy to your individual strengths, goals, values, and pace. My work is trauma-informed and integrates evidence-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and creative expression. When it feels like a good fit, I also incorporate nature-based experiences to support healing, resilience, and personal growth.
Education and Background
I earned a Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Adventure Leadership from Southern Oregon University and a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California. I completed my clinical practicum at Covenant House in Hollywood, CA where I worked with unhoused transition-age youth navigating severe trauma and other complex mental health concerns.
Prior to this, I gained experience as a backcountry guide and educator, art and music teacher, in-patient equine-assisted therapy facilitator, and wilderness first responder for county emergency services; experiences that continue to shape my compassionate, integrative, and holistic approach to therapy.
