Healing happens with community and support.
I am not accepting new clients at this time.
The past few years have led to major increases in stress, uncertainty about health and safety, experiences of social isolation and depression or anxiety, and collective trauma (often leaving an unequal burden on Black, Indigenous, and other people of color). This can make it difficult to find joy, experience pleasure, and be active participants in our own lives. I provide evidenced-based supportive therapy for folks in the LGBTQ+ community. I specialize in working with trans and gender nonconforming (TGN) young people (12-18) and young adults (19-30s) who are experiencing significant life adjustment, difficulty coping with stress, anxiety, or are in need of letters of support for gender-affirming medical intervention.
I have special training and substantial experience working with TGN and LGBTQ+ folks, including those with co-occurring neurodivergence that requires lower levels of support. I understand the unique and frightening threats towards TGN people happening in our country. The impact of this includes and moves far beyond access to life-saving medical care. Threats to our wellbeing affect our ability to be our whole selves. It can be confusing for people at various diversity intersections to know, “Am I safe?” “How do I know the difference between a threat to my safety and anxiety?” These questions do not come with an instruction booklet and produce real and valid feelings of worry, sadness, and fear. You are not meant to navigate this alone; healing happens with community and support.
When working together, I consider the ways trauma may be contributing to your current behavior. I utilize a wide range of evidence-based approaches to problem-solving. My integrative approach is informed by CBT, DBT, Family-Systems, Mindfulness, Behavioral interventions, and Biofeedback, among others. It is important to note that while my approach is integrative, it is also collaborative. My hope is to partner with you and learn from your own innate wisdom as we move from wherever it is you find yourself, to wherever it is you’d like to be.
I identify as a queer, gender-nonconforming, neurodivergent, white person. As a queer neurodivergent human, my passion and experiences are rooted in working with TGN folks, the LGBTQ+ community, and those questioning or exploring gender and/or sexuality. Additionally, I have experience working with TGN and LGBTQ+ clients seeking support for neurodivergence and trauma. I provide therapy that is poly, kink, gender, body-neutral, and neurodivergent affirming. I am social-justice and abolition-oriented, and I recognize my privilege and responsibility as a white provider who may work with Black, Indigenous, and/or other people of color. I approach our therapeutic relationship with humility and acknowledge that we both contribute unique experiences and identities to this partnership.
Things I’ve Written & Interviews Given
- Pronouns 101: What Are They and Why Do They Matter? (nationwidechildrens.org)
- Using Photo Filters on Social Media: Watch for the Red Flags (nationwidechildrens.org)
- Pronouns 101: What Are They and Why Do They Matter? – YouTube
Treatment Approach
Orientation: CBT, DBT, Family-systems, Mindfulness, Behavioral, and Biofeedback (the way our body and nervous system respond to stress)
Modalities: Individual, (although parents are included/essential when working with school-aged young people)
Client Focus
Ages: adolescents (approx. 12-18) and young adults (approx. 19-30s)
Qualifications
Practicing Since: 2015
Degree: Psy.D.
Year Graduated: 2021
License Number and State: Oregon Licensed Psychologist #3578
Specialties
- TGN and LGBTQ+ adolescents and young adults
- Letters of Support for TGN folks pursuing medical intervention
- Neurodivergent adolescents and young adults requiring lower levels of support
- Adjustment to major life transitions
- Coping with stress