Conversations with Max Stager

Today we’d like to introduce you to Max Stager

Max, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey began with a deep curiosity about human connection, fueled by a desire to understand the pain I witnessed in relationships, stemming from my own experiences growing up in a chaotic environment. That sensitivity led me to seeking answers about how people relate to themselves and each other.

My career has included extensive work with at-risk families, troubled teens, and individuals facing trauma, in settings ranging from correctional facilities to private practice. This diverse experience underscored the complexity of individuals and relationships, inspiring me to develop an integrative approach to therapy.

My personal journey of healing and growth has deeply informed my integrative approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of our experiences, emotions, and biology. I utilize evidence-based methods like DBT (certified), Emotion-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy (certified), and NLP coaching (certified), while also incorporating principles of nonviolent communication and drawing inspiration from indigenous perspectives on interconnectedness, fostering a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.

I work primarily with couples and individuals to improve their relationships, creating a safe and supportive space to explore the complexities of their connection. I am committed to helping clients achieve practical transformations by exploring their unique histories, cultural backgrounds, and biological influences.

In recent years, my focus has expanded to include supporting those impacted by the criminal justice system. This personal experience has led me to become an advocate and change-maker, serving as a board member of Colorado CURE, founding the Coalition of Family and Friends of Incarcerated Individuals Facebook group, and hosting the “Doin’ Time Outside the Fence” podcast. These platforms provide connection, support, and collaborative advocacy for families and friends of incarcerated individuals. I am now offering group and individual coaching to address the unique stressors, worries, and frustrations faced by those impacted by the correctional and criminal justice systems.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Growing up in a chaotic environment, I witnessed firsthand the pain that can exist in relationships. This experience, coupled with my own journey of healing from trauma, has fueled my desire to help others navigate their own challenges.

My professional path has included working with diverse populations in challenging settings, from correctional facilities to at-risk families. While these experiences were rewarding, they also highlighted the systemic issues that contribute to individual and relational struggles.

Our experience with the criminal justice system has revealed a series of profound challenges. Pre-trial, “tough on crime” policies, including mandatory minimums and “three-strikes” laws, resulted in excessively long sentence (the judge repeatedly indicated that she did not believe, based on all the evidence, that the sentence was fair) because it disregarded the critical factor of developmental maturity of a young adult. The reality of prosecutorial conduct, such as witness coaching outside the courtroom, further eroded trust in the system.

Incarceration brought its own set of hardships: concerns about living conditions in an older prison, including outbreaks during the pandemic, systemic delays in accessing essential healthcare, and concerns about the risk of violence. These conditions underscore the dehumanizing nature of the system.

The prospect of re-entry presents significant obstacles, including the challenge of finding employment (and housing) with a criminal record, despite the completion of vocational and academic programs. Systemic policies that perpetuate cycles of incarceration further compound these challenges.

The impact on family and friends is equally devastating. We have endured a constant barrage of emotional challenges: profound grief and loss, debilitating anxiety and stress, the heavy weight of shame and stigma, and the relentless emotional distress of navigating a complex and often adversarial system. The financial burden is substantial, with the ongoing costs of visitation, communication, and basic necessities. Socially, we face the pervasive stigma of a “tough on crime” society, where understanding and support are often scarce.

These experiences have illuminated the urgent need for systemic reform, for a justice system that prioritizes rehabilitation, fairness, and the restoration of human dignity.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I think I addressed this with the first question, not being sure about what all the questions would be. (The following will be a slight variation of what I wrote earlier.)

My journey has been shaped by both a deep curiosity about human connection and the challenges I’ve faced personally and professionally. Growing up in a chaotic environment, I witnessed firsthand the pain that can exist in relationships. This experience, coupled with my own journey of healing from trauma, has fueled my desire to help others navigate their own challenges.

My professional path has included working with diverse populations in challenging settings, from correctional facilities to at-risk families. While these experiences were rewarding, they also highlighted the systemic issues that contribute to individual and relational struggles.

My personal journey of healing and growth has deeply informed my integrative approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of our experiences, emotions, and biology. I utilize evidence-based methods like DBT (certified), Emotion-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy (certified), and NLP coaching (certified), while also incorporating principles of nonviolent communication and drawing inspiration from indigenous perspectives on interconnectedness, fostering a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.

I work primarily with couples and individuals to improve their relationships, creating a safe and supportive space to explore the complexities of their connection. I am committed to helping clients achieve practical transformations by exploring their unique histories, cultural backgrounds, and biological influences.

The impact of the criminal justice system has become a significant focus of my work. A loved one’s incarceration opened my eyes to the systemic injustices and the profound impact on families and communities. This experience has been a personal challenge, but it has also driven me to become an advocate and change-maker. I’ve become a board member of Colorado CURE, founded the Coalition of Family and Friends of Incarcerated Individuals Facebook group, and host the “Doin’ Time Outside the Fence” podcast. I now offer group and individual coaching to address the unique stressors and challenges faced by those impacted by the correctional and criminal justice systems.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I offer a range of services and opportunities for collaboration, tailored to different needs and levels of involvement.

For Relationship and Mental Health Support in Colorado:
If you’re a couple or individual in Colorado seeking to improve your relationship or address mental health challenges related to the criminal justice system, I offer therapy services. Please reach out through my website, by phone, or email:
• Phone: 719-460-4185
• Email: Info@MaxCounselor.com
• Website: https://maxcounselor.com/wp1/
• Contact Page: https://maxcounselor.com/wp1/contact/

For Individual or Group Coaching on Incarceration-Related Issues:
For those with less intensive relational or individual needs related to incarceration or the criminal justice system, I provide individual and group coaching. Please contact me at:
• Email: reclaimingpathways@gmail.com
• Phone: 719-460-4185

For Supportive Understanding, Information Sharing, Advocacy, and Change Making:
To connect with a supportive community, share information and experiences, access referrals, participate in advocacy, and contribute to change making, I invite you to:
• Join my Facebook Group: Coalition Of Family & Friends of Incarcerated Individuals – COFFII (Coffee) – https://www.facebook.com/groups/coffii
• Listen to my Podcast: Doin’ Time Outside the Fence
— Email: reclaimingpathways@gmail.com
• Join Colorado-CURE: https://www.coloradocure.org

I welcome collaboration with friends, family, community members, advocacy organizations, legal professionals, researchers, mental health professionals, social service organizations, peer support networks, educational institutions, media outlets, and community leaders.

Pricing:

• Free Discovery Consultations & Master Classes
• Counseling & Coaching $125-150 / session
• Group Coaching $65 / session
• Sliding Scale available
• Some Insurance Accepted for Counseling

Contact Info:

• Website: https://maxcounselor.com/wp1/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coffii

Image Credits
JMH Photography