Chloe is deeply passionate about human rights and human livelihood. She began her academic journey majoring in forensic psychology during her undergraduate study, graduating in 2008 from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. 

In 2009, Chloe worked as an advocate for survivors of sexual assault in the emergency rooms of Bellevue Hospital and NYU Hospital in New York City. Chloe was hired to advocate by communicating with the Special Victims Unit of New York City’s Police Department and medical staff; her primary role was to support survivors by being their voice for any immediate needs while the investigation was conducted by law enforcement. Chloe was the only staff member who did not wear a uniform and appeared specifically as an advocate for survivors.

During graduate school at Columbia University, Chloe focused her interests on international humanitarian law, specifically regarding issues in public health and gender-based violence. Chloe worked for ECPAT-USA, an international non-profit against child labor and sex trafficking advocating to change laws towards protecting children and youth in the legal system. 

Chloe also worked as a program evaluator and research analyst for Honorable Judge Toko Serita who presides over the Human Trafficking Intervention Court (QHTIC), a nationally and internationally recognized for its groundbreaking work with trafficking survivors and sex workers. The same Problem-Solving Court was also the subject of a full-length feature documentary, “Blowin’ Up.”

In 2014, Chloe was hired at Sanctuary for Families, one of the leading nonprofits in New York City, against domestic violence and sexual exploitation of adult men and women. At 27 years old Chloe was a counselor inside the Bronx District Attorney’s Office to help men and women learn about trauma and abuse, cope with symptoms of PTSD, Depression, Anxiety. Chloe has conducted multiple training courses in criminal court, child protective services and the New York City Police Department for healthy relationships, conflict resolution, and domestic violence. 

In 2018, Chloe began training six days a week in Jiu Jitsu, taking competition seriously as a professional choice. Chloe paused her clinical work to become a personal trainer, gaining knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology, and eventually merged psychology with athletic coaching.

Chloe received her LCSW in 2021 after passing her boards exam, and opened Alta Psychotherapy PLLC. The dream which began in 2016 to open a unique clinic blending sports psychology with trauma-focused therapies, to support extreme sports athletes, finally became possible in 2021. 

“Work” means working together; I am always encouraging clients to think for themselves, and I use reflective listening to help expand clients’ thoughts to reach their own conclusions. Together, we use writing, emotional expression, breathwork, goal-setting, and physical activity as primary tools (both in and out of sessions). 

I am an athlete and engage in many of the activities that my clients do. However, I don’t need to be a part of every outdoor activity and perform at a world-class level to be able to quickly grasp and empathize to connect with clients. It saves people a lot of time and frustration working with a therapist that already “gets it” and isn’t perplexed by the activity. The energy needed to first explain can be discouraging, and extreme sports athletes are already feeling on the fringes or outside the social norm. 

I absolutely want to share how connecting the mind and body has led me to understand myself on a much deeper level. I believe goal setting, regularly competing, overcoming mental, emotional, and physical hurdles in sport, have increased my ability to trust myself through hardships outside of sports. 

In 2014, I began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and started rock climbing regularly. One year into my Jiu Jitsu career, I began competing frequently in American Submission Grappling tournaments every month. In 2016, I became certified in skydiving and have competed in two sport accuracy competitions for skydiving so far. In 2019, I purchased my first freediving wetsuit and started diving consistently in 2021, the same year I started focusing on swooping in skydiving. This year in 2023, I summited Mt. Hood, which was my entry in the sport of mountaineering, which led me to appreciate ice climbing and mixed-climbing. 

In my youth, I danced for many years; from age three until 19 years old. Training consisted of rehearsal four days a week for several hours a day. It was challenging to feel like a normal kid sometimes. I remained sedentary as I completed all my academics, but the performative aspect showed in school and then through jiu jitsu and skydiving. I discovered inner peace through continuing towards freediving, mountaineering and advancing my skydiving to swooping, which allows me to work through my old stories through my current athletic practice. I still dance, climb and train jiujitsu, and the same goes for those areas as well. 

When clients come to me with body image and eating issues, criticizing self-talk, doubts, anxiety, or a perfectionist mentality, I can relate to it, as someone who spent years of her life performing. The same can be said for high school wrestlers who were trying to make weight with dramatic cuts, and for those who push (aka blur) their boundaries without mentally checking-in first in any extreme sport. I also have lost friends in extreme sports and friends to suicide. The inner work towards self-compassion is always ongoing for us, no matter what.

My story and personal experiences do not explicitly enter therapy sessions, but others can and should have access to the same tools I acquired through my own therapy and academic training, applying them to their own lives. I just believe in approaching people with humanity and non-judgment, and account for my own experiences first before helping others.

CHLOE SVOLAKOS, LCSW is licensed to conduct in-person and virtual psychotherapy and directly supervises clinicians in New York, Florida, Utah, and Colorado; more states to follow in the future. If you reside outside the states listed above, we strongly encourage you to still reach out. Alta will attempt to connect you to the appropriate referral. Consultations are free, and we are truly here to make sure you are not alone if you need support.

Kora grew up in the small towns in the southern tier of New York. It was with her family that she discovered her love for nature and being outdoors. Coming from a long line of strong women in helping professions, she knew it was her passion to work directly with people.

In 2013, Kora’s professional journey started as she attended Nazareth University in Rochester where she majored in Psychology and Community Youth Development. This is also when Kora discovered yoga and absolutely fell in love! Being present with and attuning to her body while meditating was so powerful and sometimes felt like a dance. She expanded her love to the aerial arts, acrobatic yoga, and paddle boarding yoga.

Kora enjoyed both the professional and yoga community of Rochester so she decided to stay! She began working as a Crisis Counselor in the Rochester City School District and found her passion for social work. Kora integrated her knowledge of psychology with the practice of youth empowerment and restorative justice.

In 2019, Kora started her Master’s program in Social Work. Her internships included working with adults recovering from injuries and surgeries in hospitals, and advocating for policy change for people facing homelessness. Kora knew breaking down macro barriers for social change was important, but felt her calling taking her back to individuals again and again.

When Kora received her LMSW in 2022 she searched for a clinic that integrated both the mind and body within mental health treatment. Kora was ecstatic to meet Chloe and joined Alta Psychotherapy in 2023.

In her free time, Kora still loves connecting with nature by walking on trails and paddle boarding on the water. When the weather won’t cooperate with her plans, she likes to cuddle up with her cat and read fantasy books or play cozy video games like Stardew Valley.