Hi! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in North Carolina. I graduated in 2020 with my Master's of Social Work from Western Carolina University, and I've been working with youth and families for over 15 years, 8 of those being in the mental health field. I help neurodivergent, queer, and gender-expansive adolescents, teens, and young adults find ways to live authentically as themselves in a world that can be unkind and harsh. I also support people who have had negative experiences with therapy in the past and want to try again with a more person-centered and affirming approach.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

Our first session will serve as an opportunity for us to begin building the therapeutic relationship to determine if we are a good fit for one another. We will discuss your goals for therapy and the type of support you are seeking. I'll likely ask you some questions, but you may always decline to share anything that does not feel comfortable. After all, it will be the first time we are meeting and it is not easy to share vulnerable details of trauma and past history with someone you do not yet know.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

Many studies have shown that the number one indicator of success in therapy is the relationship between the therapist and the client. My focus in working with clients is to co-create a safe space, and I have had success in building relationships with clients who are skeptical of therapy, with good reason. My person-centered, systems-thinking approach to therapy has helped people from different backgrounds feel comfortable in my office. I've had different roles in my personal and professional life that allow me to understand where my clients are coming from. I've worked with youth and families for over 15 years. I've held leadership and management positions at work and in my community, and I am able to apply big-picture, macro-level thinking to individual issues and problems in order to help my clients achieve their goals. Our lives don't occur in a vacuum and it's important to acknowledge the impact of our society on mental health.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

I specialize in supporting the following people: -Neurodivergent, queer, and gender expansive teens, young adults (18-30) and their families -Parents of school-aged youth -Young adults (18-30) -People exploring the possibility of neurodivergence for themselves Other people I like to support include: -College students -Teachers, non-profit employees, direct service providers -People who have had past negative experiences with therapy -Men from 18-35 -Dads looking to access their softer, gentler selves I'm able to work with people who have the following symptoms/diagnoses: -ADHD -Autism -Depression -Anxiety, Social anxiety -PTSD and CPTSD -OCD -Oppositional Defiant Disorder

About SJ Avery