Meet Charles!

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Does Charles look familiar? That's because they are also our Director of People + Culture! Charles has proven themselves to be an invaluable member of the Open Space CCW family, and we are fortunate to now be able to reap the benefits of having them in a Therapist Intern capacity!

 

Charles is a graduate level student at California University of Pennsylvania, working towards their Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.  Charles is a very passionate advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of life. Identifying as gay themselves, Charles is focusing their graduate research on providing competent and affirming care for underserved communities, including LGBTQIA+ individuals and families.

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Charles’ prior experience as a leader in human resources has provided them with immense experience helping people thrive in the workplace for local government, private sector, healthcare, and international organizations. Why did Charles decide to make the huge leap to a brand new career?

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"I became a therapist because I know how hard it was for me to find a queer-competent & affirming mental healthcare provider when I needed it the most. As a queer trans non-binary human I will offer my lived experience and clinical expertise where appropriate to provide a safe & affirming space not only for queer people, but anyone who has ever felt alone or ‘other’."

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Who I Help

 

I have spent the better part of my life unlearning an enormous amount of harmful messages I received about what it means to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Hearing we are ‘abnormal, non-traditional, sinful, and broken’ is a heavy burden to carry, especially if we internalize those messages. Add to that the struggles of living in a capitalistic, patriarchal, cisgender, heteronormative society enduring constant minority stress and oppression, and maybe you’re feeling exhausted, just like I was.

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If you are a person who struggles with complicated thoughts, feelings, and emotions surrounding sexual health & wellness, sexuality, gender identity, or non-monogamous relationships--you are not alone. Maybe you feel lost, anxious, or confused in your relationship with yourself and others. Maybe you want to understand yourself more holistically as a person.

 

Many of us in the LGBTQIA+ community have had to become the people we are today just so that we can survive.

 

The trauma we experience in our lives can have major impacts on how we view ourselves. I want to help you understand and challenge the harmful messages we have been told about who we are as people so that you can live the life you deserve!

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What Can you Expect?

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I practice from a place that uses humor, swearing, laughing, (and yes I may even talk about doom scrolling TikTok and cat memes as a good way to process trauma). I think recognizing that we are both humans first and foremost is the most important thing I can do as a therapist, and you will always be the expert in the room.

 

I find using a mindfulness-based framework allows us to adopt a nonjudgmental perspective about ourselves, while acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) focuses on living life by our own value systems to build self-compassion and understanding.

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Therapy is scary and talking about sex can elicit a lot of uncomfortable feelings when we are taught as a society that it is taboo. My role is to help you understand those messages we have been taught & decide if they are positively impacting your life or not because I believe it is a human right to find joy and pleasure in life. If you are experiencing any concerns around your sexual health, wellness, satisfaction, intimacy & arousal, out of control sexual behavior & impulses, exploring kink/BDSM, or experiencing desire discrepancy with partner(s) we should talk about it, normalize it, and find ways to help you live the life you want!

 

I am a strong social justice advocate, and inform my practice through feminist theories, queer theory, and social constructivism. My goal will never be to change you, but to help you find ways to make room for yourself as a whole person.

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 When I'm not at Open Space CCW, you may also find me...

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Drinking excessive amounts of coffee while cleaning up after my teenager and house full of fur babies, trying to keep my houseplants alive, or playing DnD & video games.

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