It is a radical act to pursue health, liberation, and self-acceptance in a world that too often seeks to dehumanize and control us. My intention is for therapy to be a refuge from that pressure and trauma, where you can explore who you want to be and how you want to live your life. Everyone has unique needs, strengths, and values, so my therapeutic approach is always as collaborative and egalitarian as possible. As a member of the transgender community, I am particularly experienced in issues relating to LGBTQ+ identity, relationships, and discrimination. My clinical approach always begins with honoring the strength and resilience my clients already bring to their lives. Based on your individual needs and goals, I draw from a variety of therapeutic modalities to help you change your relationship to problems, develop skills for managing difficult emotions, and alter patterns that no longer serve you. I hope that your experience in therapy will empower you to live your best life possible, whatever that looks like for you. If you think we might be a good fit, please reach out and we can schedule a free consultation.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
I think of therapy as a space to organize and focus on the changes you want to make in your life. Identifying strengths and successes, and finding new ways to apply them, can be very empowering. By bringing in my outside perspective, I can help you recognize strengths you may not be aware of too. When there are challenges or obstacles to growth, I can draw from different therapeutic modalities to help you find new ways of looking at problems and new ways of responding and coping with them. When there is hurt or loss, we can give space to the feelings that come up in order to find resolution, resilience, and wisdom in the challenges you face. Each therapy session builds on the previous ones, and my hope is that at the end you will feel empowered by what you have already accomplished, and confident in your next steps.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
I typically start from a Solution-Focused framework because it is particularly strengths-based and creates change quickly. I use a variety of Mindfulness-Based interventions both to increase coping skills and to help clients deepen their connection with parts of themselves. I use Existential Therapy for longer-term work, to change relationships to problems and find meaning in challenges. I also have a background in case management, which I draw from to support clients in connecting with community resources, advocating for their needs, and navigating the healthcare system.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
In addition to group practice, I have a background in both school- and community-based mental health and I specialize in working with moderate to severe behavioral health issues including chronic suicidality, self-harm, psychosis, and impulsivity. I am skilled in navigating complex systems and coordinating and advocating with other professionals when needed. My lived experience as a trans person and member of an intensely targeted marginalized community serves as a touchstone for understanding others' experiences of marginalization and minority status. I am very knowledgeable about queer/trans/non-binary identity, community and relationships, including the particular challenges that can arise within them. I am a published scholar in kink identity development research, and I'm very familiar with polyamory and alternative sexualities.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
Transgender, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, kink, non-monogamy