Long before I was a therapist, I was an organizer, raised by organizers, mentored and nurtured by a large community of organizers. Social justice is central to everything I do, and that extends to the realm of therapy. 

Praxis is a word which I am using here to mean “political theory in action.” I believe in the dream and vision of a socially just society. One where resources are distributed equitably, community safety is a practice of transformation and relational repair (not state-sanctioned violence), and all identities are honored (along with each person’s innate wisdom and expertise about who they are and what they need). To me, therapy is one of many strategies for how we get there — together. 

As a gender specialist, I understand my role is not to evaluate, assess, or diagnose your identity, but to support and travel alongside you, as you gain deeper levels of self-understanding, and continue to move in the direction of what feels right. To me, this is a clinical intervention, but also a practice of social justice, directly in opposition to the mental health industrial complex’s endless war against the self-determination of trans/nonbinary and gender-expansive folks. 

As a trauma therapist, I know that the work must start by shifting power — radically, rapidly, and adaptively. That means we must also be searching for new ways for you to have agency, make decisions, change your mind, and set boundaries in the work and in our relationship. This is both a therapeutic intervention, and an opportunity to shift power dynamics in real time. For this to work, our first task is to create a setting where you can have as much power and agency as possible, and then for us to study what we learn together through this experience. As a crisis interventionist and harm reductionist, I strive to create a non-judgmental, non-coercive relational container in which for you to do your healing work — especially in times of urgency. Because of that, I engage critically with important questions about the ethics of mandated reporting law, especially as it shows up in moments of mental health crisis. In all circumstances, my primary priority and consideration is your safety and wellness. If and when engaging with emergency services and/or exploring a higher level of care (such as hospitalization, for example)  is what feels best to you, I am here to support your choice. If and when doing so does not feel like what is right or best, I commit to listening to your boundaries, offering you the best support I am able, in order to help you stay safe. My goal is for you to be as safe as possible, but also for you to maintain your ability to say no, to give or revoke consent, and to make final decisions about your care. I am happy to discuss with you in greater detail how I navigate these challenges at any point.