Who I Help

 

I am a LGBTQIA+ and relationship minority affirming therapist. 

I show up FULLY and AUTHENTICALLY and I want you to be able to, too.

 

I love working with folks struggling with concerns surrounding being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, gender identity and sexuality, self-acceptance, self-esteem, anxiety, substance abuse, trauma and PTSD, interpersonal violence, family conflict, stress management, parenting, and life transitions.

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I am very accepting of and open to discussing various relationship types (i.e. CNM, poly, open relationships). Hiding any part of you, or anyone you love, is not something you have to do in my therapy room.

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What Can you Expect?

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You can expect a collaborative and supportive experience in therapy with me. I often use humor because the therapy room doesn't have to always be serious! I have been told that I have an innate ability to create comfort and warmth. I can be directive and (gently) confrontational, or more laid-back when needed. I occasionally throw out a F&%$ (or other profanities) because, let's be honest--sometimes it just feels good to get that shit out!

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I show up as my authentic and genuine self, despite the environment I am in.  I am a Latina, bisexual, agnostic woman, with one Latino immigrant parent and one American born parent of a different ethnic identity.  My intersecting identities have allowed me to hold space for people of all backgrounds. I understand that I will never be fully competent in the lived experience of another, and I approach everyone with cultural humility and genuine curiosity.

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I have found meaning in serving people my entire life. It is a true privilege to hold space for someone, a complete stranger, to trust and share parts of their true selves with me. And I don't take that lightly.

 

Developing a collaboration and empowering others is an honor. Impacting one person, in even one small way, can have a ripple effect into the community. And our community needs all the kindness and self-acceptance it can get.

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I want you to know that I see beyond your struggles and past choices.

I see you as a human first, with value, that is so deserving of respect and love.

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Self-Acceptance

I want to empower you to embrace your entire self (yes, your ENTIRE self). Using elements from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, DBT, and Relational-Cultural theory, we can help increase your unconditional self-acceptance. Our world views, experiences, and interpersonal relationships impact how we view ourselves, and a collaboration to uncover these factors will lay the foundation for us in therapy.

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Anxiety, Trauma & PTSD

When we do this work together, it is so important to create a space of safety and trust where you feel like you can truly dive into what is holding you back. I acknowledge the absolute necessity to create autonomy for those who have experienced trauma, and likely had their power and voice taken away. I work with intergenerational, complex, and chronic trauma, as well as those experiencing anxiety that may be unrelated to a traumatic event. My goal is to facilitate a development of empowerment with you by offering compassion and respect for all of your lived experiences.

 

Learning tangible skills to manage internal and external triggers that cause you distress is a goal that can be attained by using aspects of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and a Solutions Focused framework, among other things. Together, we will create a strengths based environment that builds on your previous successes.

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Substance Abuse

My focus is on the underlying issues that impacted your use of substances. I also use elements of Motivational Interviewing to facilitate change that is aligned with YOUR own goals and values. You can expect absolute respect in sessions, despite your previous choices, however "terrible" and "too much" you feel they may be. I will make it abundantly clear that I see you as human first, regardless of any choices that were made during your active addiction or problematic substance use. You will not be judged here.

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

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Spending time with my family and senior Beagle, riding my Peloton or lifting weights, eating tacos, hanging with friends around a fire pit, getting tattooed, and traveling!

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