I have worked with a wide range of diverse clients. My prior experiences in both a community clinic setting as well as a university setting has put me in contact with a variety of client issues. Many of my previous clients have sought help for depression, anxiety, family/relationship conflict, substance use, adjusting to difficult life transitions, exploring and redefining personal identities, and sometimes simply learning more about who they are and who they want to be. Here is a snapshot of my specialty areas:
Depression
Anxiety/Panic Attacks
Identity exploration
LGBTQ+
Life transitions
Chronic Disability/ Invisible Illness
Alternative spirituality
Existential questions
LGBTQ+ and Identity
Assisting those in the LGBTQ+ (gender and sexual minority) community is a cause I advocate on the personal and public levels. Sexual/asexual and relationship diversity are issues I have also worked with in the past, including polyamory and kink culture. I believe sexual/asexual positivity and self-exploration are cornerstones of personal growth. Other multicultural and diversity issues are also integral to my work with some clients, such as racial/ethnic identity, generational/age positivity and sensitivity, social justice, etc. Understanding and processing how the intersectionality of these identities affects us emotionally and mentally can be powerful.
Many of my clients work on identity exploration and the complexity of expressing one's true self. Some issues that stand out in particular are:
dating in the LGBTQ community,
dealing with conflicting family values and expectations
the intersection of LGBTQ identities and mental health
the stigma and nuance of polyamory.
I work frequently with trans clients processing transition as well as the HRT process.
Chronic/Invisible Illness and Disability
Aside from the issues mentioned above, I also specialize in assisting those experiencing chronic/invisible illness and disabilities (sometimes referred to as “spoonies”) In particular, advocating for the rights and dignity of individuals dealing with invisible illness is also important to my practice. Such conditions tend to be disenfranchised and misunderstood by society in general. Examples include, but are not limited to: Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME, Fibromyalgia, cancers, mental disorders, digestive disorders like Celiac Disease and IBS, heart conditions, etc. If you or someone you know struggles with an invisible/chronic condition, my therapeutic approach will provide sensitive, client-driven problem-solving and processing.
Existential and/or Spiritual Questions
It is not uncommon for certain questions to naturally come up in therapy that get to the root of our deepest concerns. Many clients come to therapy when they are faced with complex situations that seem to have no easy solutions. "Why do I suffer? What did I do to deserve this? What does it matter in the end?" These types of scenarios often lead to existential crises, periods of life where we feel detached from ourselves, our lives, our purpose. My approach to therapy often aims to take these questions and insecurities head on and re-empower clients through meaning-making. "What is the meaning behind the suffering I endure in this life?" That is a question only we can answer for ourselves. I like to help guide clients through their meaning-making and explore what purpose they wish to embody in life.
For some clients, this may lead to spiritual considerations as well. My therapy is oriented toward open, non-judgmental processing of spiritual issues and how they relate to overall well-being and personal holism. Clients are welcome and encouraged to share their various spiritual backgrounds and beliefs whenever they feel it pertains to their psychological, emotional, and mental health. (Please keep in mind that the therapy I provide is not spiritual/religious guidance nor motivated by religious or spiritual affiliation).
"Nerd" Therapy
I also practice what has been called "nerd therapy" where I connect with my clients on various popular culture references such as video games, fictional universes, tv shows, etc. and use these cultural references to assist clients in session through narrative therapy. A great deal of my clients have identified as nerds or dedicated followers of certain fandoms. I, myself, identify as a nerd and possess a broad familiarity with many fandoms. Some of my nerdy interests include: Video games (The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Pokémon), literature (The Lord of the Rings, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy), movies (Star Wars, Alien), shows (Star Trek, Stranger Things, MST3K). My clients and I have incorporated many of these interests and more into therapy.