(he/him)
New to Grow
Are you someone who seems thoughtful, capable, and self-aware on the outside, but inside feels overwhelmed, lonely, stuck, or exhausted from carrying more than most people can see? Do you find yourself caught in the same painful relationship dynamics, shame, anxiety, or self-doubt despite all your efforts to understand and improve things? Many LGBTQIA+ clients know what it is like to carry pain quietly after years of adapting to environments where they could not fully relax into themselves. I work primarily with gay men and couples to help them make sense of these experiences, deepen self-understanding, and reclaim their power. If you’re ready to move beyond simply getting by and want support that feels affirming, thoughtful, and engaged, I invite you to reach out and schedule a first session.
One way to imagine the first session is to think about how you might feel the day of, an hour before, or even one minute before we begin. You may feel hopeful, curious, or relieved at the possibility of being met in a way that feels supportive and familiar. You may also feel anxious, uncertain, or wonder what happens if you leave unsure whether we’re the right fit. All of that is completely normal. After a few minutes of settling in and introductions, I’ll invite you to share how life is feeling right now and some of the experiences that have shaped the path that brought you here. You are not expected to be polished, perfectly articulate, or fully ready. You do not need to tell your whole story at once, and you do not need to know exactly where to begin. You also do not need to arrive with everything figured out. We’ll move at your pace, one step at a time. My role is not to pressure you, but to help create a space where you can begin to get a feel for the process and how it feels working together. Some people come with specific goals in mind, while others arrive with more of a sense that something feels off, even if they are not yet sure why. Wherever you’re starting from is welcome. What often begins here as an outline can, over the course of our work together, become more complete—bringing greater depth and clarity to the past, while also opening space for new possibilities to emerge. At the end of the session, I’ll invite your honest reflection about whether you’d like to book again. Whether the answer is yes or no, my role is to support you in choosing what feels right for you.
I became a therapist to offer caring support and refuge for people who have carried far more than their share despite their best efforts. My work is rooted in the belief that suffering is not proof of weakness, struggle does not define worth, and that every life deserves more than endurance alone. My goal is to create an atmosphere where every part of you can engage in the process—your strengths, your struggles, your uncertainty, and even the pieces you may not yet know how to put into words. I practice from an integrative framework informed by approaches such as Internal Family Systems, psychodynamic therapy, and systems theory. In practice, this provides a more holistic understanding of the many layers that shape your experience—from family, relationships, culture, and society to the deeper emotional and physiological processes within.
I find it most rewarding to work with clients who are eager to dive into our sessions and take the next steps with therapeutic exercises and reading. We often tackle issues like anxiety, depression, relational trauma (C-PTSD), anger, ADHD, and addiction. Clients who thrive with me usually want to escape the pressures of hookup culture, deal with minority stress, overcome feelings of marginalization, shake off internalized shame, break free from self-sabotage, overcome perfectionism, face their fears of vulnerability, navigate family and social rejection, and work through insecure (anxious/avoidant) attachment. We also frequently discuss concerns about power, control, care, connection, respect, and the need for recognition when dealing with conflicts around intimacy, non-monogamy, finances, career, and many other aspects of life.
LGBTQ
Anxiety
LGBTQ
Man
White
Adults (18 to 64)
California
Arlo
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a flexible, integrative approach. I often encourage new clients to read No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz, the founder of IFS, as a practical introduction to understanding thoughts, emotions, and the different parts of the self. Therapy informed by this model is identity-affirming, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed. Through this work, clients often develop greater self-awareness, deeper emotional insight, and a stronger sense of authenticity, integration, and empowerment.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma-informed therapy addresses past wounds in a way that is thoughtful, collaborative, and safely paced. It emphasizes emotional safety, trust, and respect for your readiness throughout the process.
Strength-Based
Strengths-based therapy builds on your existing abilities, values, and resources to support growth and healing. By drawing on what is already working, therapy can help you face vulnerability with greater confidence and resilience.
Relational
Effective therapy often depends on the quality of fit between the therapist’s method, personality, and style and your unique needs and life context. When that fit is present, therapy can feel safe, supportive, and transformative. Relational therapy is collaborative, genuine, nonjudgmental, honest, and grounded in accountability.