Welcome!
Relationships that make us feel safe, understood and validated are necessary for growth. When we can trust that someone won’t judge us, we’re able to explore all parts of ourselves with them. Together with my clients, we create the safety in our relationship that encourages creativity, curiosity, and healing. With a foundation of trust, we can work on tuning into your needs and giving you the tools to get those needs met.
My approach is all about empathy, support, and acceptance. I voice non-judgmental curiosity about feelings and issues that come up in session. I believe that change starts when we are kind to ourselves, and encourage the practice of self-compassion. I work with clients to develop coping tools for tolerating difficult emotions, as the avoidance of these emotions can leave us feeling lost and stuck.
I like to acknowledge that I am a person in the therapeutic relationship too! I aim to bring my own personality, experiences and sense of humor into the room. I practice giving and asking for intentional feedback in order to highlight the importance of checking in with each other throughout the therapeutic process.
As safety is created in relationships, individuals and couples are able to spark exploration and celebrate their individuality. They’re able to engage in healthy conflict, not avoid it. Too often, we receive messages that tell us our experiences, feelings and boundaries are not valid. I look forward to challenging those messages together!
About my practice
People seek therapy for all kinds of reasons. I approach treatment planning as a collaborative way of guiding us through our work together. I assist individuals and couples with present challenges while always keeping in mind that insight into our history is vital for moving forward.
My career has centered on providing affirming care for LBGTQ+ identified individuals. I have experience working with poly, nonmonogamous and kink relationships. I describe my style as relational and psychodynamic and will call upon cognitive behavioral interventions as needed.
I have a deep understanding of how trauma impacts the physical body and will use interventions that help regulate and tend to trauma responses in the body. My work is built on the foundation of social justice and I believe that relationships thrive when all members are grounded in their privileged and subordinated identities. I encourage exploration of how these identities shape our emotional responses in every day life.
Therapy is hard work! I have an understanding of this not only from my clinical training, but also from my own engagement in individual and couples therapy. Both personally and professionally, I believe in the importance of doing the work with a therapist who's actively engaged in the process.
Areas of Experience
- LGBTQ+
- TGNB
- Couple and Relationship Therapy
- Barriers to Intimacy
- Relationship challenges
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Grief and Loss
- Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress
- Living with HIV
- Sex Work
- Codependency
- Nonmonogamy
- Kink