Therapy with Me...
Apart from my higher education, I've been trained in the field of crisis mental health, and regularly seek out continuing education courses in active antiracism, substance abuse prevention/harm reduction, cultural competency, supporting and working with neurodivergent clients and families, as well as LGBTQIA+ clients, particularly gender affirming care for youth and individuals plus the families and partners who support them.
Some of my other identities: advocate, educator, white, queer, married, neurodivergent parent of three children. I've been on a lifelong journey of self discovery that continues to inform the work I do as a therapist and helps with presenting myself authentically. It's my belief that while a therapist need not provide their whole life story to clients, they also don't need to be a blank slate. My office is judgment free and you should feel free to show up as the whole human being you are, whoever and however that may be on a given day.
My core focus:
-
Neurodivergent Affirming Therapy
-
LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy
-
Family/Parent/Partners supporting LGBTQIA+ family members
-
Perfectionism/Burnout
-
Support w/School Issues
Therapy works best when we're collaborating and honoring each other's experiences. I will not require a client to show up in the room with any specific expectations on them. Come as you are. You won't leave the room with "homework" unless such a directive style truly helps to create structure in certain aspects of your day, but that would be an organic goal we discover together. The world is full of demands on your nervous system, coming to therapy should not feel like a stressful experience.
Folks of all ages may find peace and safety through expression outside the realm of language. Art and play may be therapeutic in a tactile sensory type way, helping us communicate things we struggle finding words to express. Other times we use somatic methods, learning to become more at ease with our embodied selves, or find safety and calm through mindfulness techniques. There are many ways to work together and we will explore what works best for the unique individual.
Confidentiality is a most important aspect of therapy. This applies to minors as much as it does to adults and needs to be understood by all parties involved. There are exceptions such as cases with imminent risk of harm otherwise noted by law. But the privacy of a therapeutic relationship helps ensure trust is built, something we can discuss in greater detail in case there are any questions.