Stephanie Bagato, LMFT

Stephanie Bagato, LMFT I help people create meaningful relationships with themselves and others.

I have a love/hate with the word tolerate. By definition, it means to “allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of (...
08/13/2026

I have a love/hate with the word tolerate.

By definition, it means to “allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of (something that one does not necessarily like or agree with) without interference.”

It has this connotation of apathy or indifference and that’s not how I mean it.

I don’t mean we learn to tolerate other people. I mean build up the skill and increase your muscle in tolerating your FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS while engaging with another person.

How does that look in real life?

- Active listening
- Turn taking
- Respecting the other person’s feelings and perspective
- Self soothing while having the conversation

There is a tendency to shut down or cut off when we are uncomfortable. Being uncomfortable is not necessarily the gauge that the person or conversation is wrong or bad though.

I’m not saying you have to tolerate every conversation, person or perspective. But in safe, healthy, loving relationships where you want to grow deeper and more connected, there is going to be a need for tolerance.

08/12/2026

Self-compassion can sound different for everyone.

What do you say to yourself when you’re trying to meet yourself with more understanding and less judgment?

Share yours below!

Giving your younger self what you needed growing up can feel really hard when it wasn’t modeled to you. But it is someth...
08/11/2026

Giving your younger self what you needed growing up can feel really hard when it wasn’t modeled to you. But it is something you can learn, and it is definitely something your relationship will thank you for.

If so much conflict comes from our wounds of never feeling witnessed, heard, loved, or validated, imagine how connected and full our relationship could feel if we gave that to ourselves before expecting our partner to fill that need all the time.

Next time you find yourself in conflict with your partner, see if you can find that unmet need underneath it all and give that to yourself. All past and current versions of you deserve that compassion and attention 🤍

08/10/2026

We aren’t born knowing how to be with our emotions. That’s something we have to learn.

Ideally, we learn it with someone who helps us slow down, notice what we’re feeling, and reminds us that we don’t have to face it alone.

If that wasn’t your experience though, you’re not behind.
It’s a skill you can still learn.

That’s why I created the Be With series—guided meditations to help you practice being with your emotions with curiosity, compassion, and support.

You can find them through the link in my bio!

I hope they remind you that you don’t have to do this alone 🤍

08/07/2026

It’s easy to get caught up in the “what if” game and question the decisions we’ve made.

But the thing is, we will never actually know the outcome of the paths that we’ve not taken.

Maybe that doubt or wondering isn’t pointing us to know what would have been but rather to be with our emotions and grieve the paths we didn’t take.

One of the greatest gifts relationships can give us is the healing that happens within them. What’s one way a relationsh...
08/06/2026

One of the greatest gifts relationships can give us is the healing that happens within them.

What’s one way a relationship has helped you heal?

08/05/2026

One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is curiosity.

Instead of judging your reactions, start noticing them.

Instead of pushing your feelings away, ask what they’re trying to show you.

Every reaction is an opportunity to learn something about yourself.

What’s one reaction you’ve had recently that might be worth getting curious about?

The healthiest relationships in my life didn’t just make me feel loved.They changed who I am.They made me more honest, m...
08/04/2026

The healthiest relationships in my life didn’t just make me feel loved.

They changed who I am.

They made me more honest, more accountable, more compassionate, more resilient, and more myself.

I don’t think we talk enough about this part of healthy relationships. They don’t just change how we relate to other people—they change how we relate to ourselves.

That’s one of the greatest gifts love can give us.

How have your healthiest relationships changed you?

07/31/2026

My relationships where I feel safest are the ones we’ve built over time.

We didn’t get there by avoiding the hard conversations. We got there by having them. By talking about the things that felt vulnerable. By sharing what we were afraid to say. By discovering, over and over again, that our relationship could hold it.

If you long for relationships where nothing feels off limits, don’t wait until those conversations feel easy. They become easier because you’ve had them.

07/29/2026

It’s easy to think that if something feels uncomfortable, it must be wrong, but that’s not always true.

Setting a boundary can feel uncomfortable.

Speaking up can feel uncomfortable.

Being vulnerable can feel uncomfortable.

Taking up space can feel uncomfortable.

Not because those things are wrong, but because they’re unfamiliar.

Growth often asks us to step beyond what’s familiar or comfortable.

So the next time discomfort shows up, instead of asking, “What am I doing wrong?” try asking: “Is this discomfort a sign that I’m growing?”

Sometimes doing the healthy thing feels uncomfortable before it feels natural, but you’re doing great 🤍

Address

9247 N. Meridian Street, Suite 275
Indianapolis, IN
46260

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Stephanie Bagato, LMFT posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Stephanie Bagato, LMFT:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category