2027 speakers
Tali Dolsten-Kuhel
TALK
Values-aligned career: Insights from a therapist who left UX
Exhaustion, self-doubt, frustration, grief. The felt sense that if you have to smile through another Zoom call or look at another Figma file you will “accidentally” throw your laptop into a lake.
As a former UX Designer and current therapist, Tali Dolsten-Kuhel wants you to know that these feelings are more common than you might think. And if you’re feeling anything like this, you are not alone.
In this talk, Tali will tell you how they made sense of their feelings and priorities in making a career change. They hope you will feel seen if your feelings about UX have shifted over time, and validated if you’re considering changing something big or small about how you approach your career.
Important Note: While Tali is a licensed therapist, this session is strictly for educational purposes and does not constitute or replace a medical diagnosis or mental health treatment. This isn’t therapy or group therapy and doesn’t create a therapist/client relationship. If you are in need of support please contact a licensed mental health professional in your state. In an emergency contact 911.
ABOUT THIS SPEAKER
Tali Dolsten-Kuhel LMSW (they/she) is a licensed psychotherapist at A Good Place Therapy in New York. They are also a mental health speaker and educator.
Tali has spoken at Tulane University on LGBTQ+ identity and, since 2025, been invited to develop a culture of mindfulness for staff and students at Columbia University Climate School as a workshop facilitator and speaker. Previously, Tali worked as a senior content designer and general UXer for nearly a decade at companies like Capital One, Indeed, and a few social good startups.
Tali knows what it’s like to work in a corporate and startup environment and how corporate politics and tech layoffs can take a toll on one’s overall wellbeing. They’re not a total bummer though! Outside of work, Tali enjoys trying to meditate, pouring latte art, and chilling in Brooklyn with their wife Josefin.