Now Scheduling for Gender Affirming Assessments & Adult Autism Assessments
Social Justice & Liberation
Counseling as Mutual Aid
I approach my work with clients as a project of collaborative healing and survival. I ascribe more to the "Wounded Healer" idea than the "Healthy therapist guiding unwell clients" philosophy. Some other influential identities of mine are being a nonbinary transgender person, being a white American, growing up below the poverty line, growing up in rural Appalachia, being polyamorous, and living with invisible disability.
I have spent over a decade building specialized knowledge that I offer, and in exchange I ask my clients (or their insurance) to reimburse me for this work. In working with me, you know that the cost of your services are going directly to my living needs, my family, and my professional development, rather than capitalists or bosses making a profit off our labor.
Social Justice Philosophy
My profession has deep roots in white supremacy, misogyny, ableism and other philosophies of violent power. I consider it an ethical imperative to approach my work using critical thinking and sociological analyses of power dynamics. I attempt to address this through labeling internalized -isms when they emerge (within you, within me, within the tools we are using), exploring how your values and identities impact your wellbeing, focusing my continuing education on multicultural humility & decolonized therapy perspectives, and including your voice in each step of the counseling process.
I also integrate social justice into my professional life through clinical community. I completed my supervision with Ms. Silvana Espinoza Lau (https://www.seventhselfcounseling.com/) who helped me integrate decolonization and social justice into my counseling practice. I also participate in clinical consultation groups organized around trans & queer needs, neurodivergence, and trauma healing through a radical lens.
Culturally-Specific Care
Some therapy themes and types of care I offer are inherently tied to social justice & liberation. These can be stand-alone reasons for counseling, or part of a larger treatment plan.
Gender-affirming surgery assessments | Neurodivergent-affirming adult autism assessments | Exploring your relationship with gender & your body | Polyamorous relationship counseling | Processing internalized white supremacy | Integrating spirituality & religion with other aspects of wellness | Processing & reducing minority stress
And many other options! If there is some aspect of your identity, culture or experiences you want highlighted in your care, please let me know!
Influences on my Social Justice Philosophy
