My Approach to Helping
We queer folks navigate the world differently than cis-het individuals, which comes with both unique challenges and profound beauty. While I work with people of all identities, my specialty lies in supporting queer, trans, and gender-diverse individuals (LGBTQIA+ folks). I'm dedicated to creating a safe, affirming, and empowering space, where you can gain insight, get in touch with your emotions, and connect with your authentic self, free from fear or judgment. And, I’ll gently challenge you along the way. I also work with couples and polycules to nurture emotional bonds, creating deeper, more connected, and healthier relationships.
My approach to therapy is collaborative, compassionate, and focused on insight and connection. We’ll work together to better understand yourself and your relationships, uncovering patterns and exploring if you'd like to shift them. I’ll meet you where you are, guiding you to live more fully and authentically. We will also dive deeply into your emotions, creating space to process them, because, though our society encourages emotional suppression, burying painful feelings can lead to greater issues. Feedback and collaboration is another very important ingredient in how I approach therapy. While I strive to create a space where you feel comfortable sharing feedback as it arises, I’ll regularly check in to see how you are experiencing our work (e.g., what's helpful, what's not as helpful, and any other feedback you're willing to provide). Through it all, I’ll be by your side, offering steady support as we navigate the path toward healing and growth together.
More Info About My Practice
In my work with couples and polycules, I draw primarily on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which highlights the significance of emotional connection in relationships, alongside the Gottman Method, which provides research-based strategies for strengthening communication and intimacy. Whether you're navigating monogamous, nonmonogamous, or polyamorous dynamics, I understand the unique complexities of these relationship structures, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. My role as your therapist is to facilitate deeper emotional connection by helping you truly hear one another and become more emotionally accessible, responsive, and engaged. Together, we’ll work toward building the relationship you've been longing for, whether that’s with one partner or many.
I strive to offer an inclusive space where all relationship structures, identities, and experiences are respected, and where you feel empowered to show up fully and authentically. I am part of the clinical team at the Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy, where we provide anti-oppressive, inclusive, and culturally-affirming services. I am currently working under the direction of Dr. Sophia Aguirre and under the supervision of Carrie Gensler, LPC, CPCS. This means that some of what you share with me may be shared with my supervisor at times to ensure the highest quality of care. I see this as you having multiple therapists putting our heads together to help you meet your goals!
My Role as a Therapist
As your therapist, my role is not to give you advice or tell you what to do. You are the expert on yourself, and the decisions you make are ultimately yours. My role is to guide you through the process of self-reflection, asking insightful questions that help you explore your thoughts, feelings, and options.
While I will offer validation at times, I will also encourage you to look at things from different angles. This may involve challenging unhelpful thinking patterns or encouraging you to reconsider perspectives that might be holding you back. The goal is not to provide you with answers, but to help you gain insight and clarity, so you can determine how you want to move forward in a way that feels right for you.
Clinicians who offer sliding scale payment structures may offer lower or reduced fees based on an individual's ability to pay. Please contact this clinician for more details regarding their fees or sliding scale policy.