First things first: You are the author of your story – the expert in your experience! My role as your therapist is simply to support you in unearthing and building on the strength you possess, the insights you hold, and the world you envision for yourself.

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My name is Kay and I am a white, trans, queer, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. Additionally, I hold a masters in Human Sexuality Education that supports my clinical practice. I am interested in the ways that authentic connection and collaboration bring us closer to ourselves and each other, and strengthen our families, communities and relationship with the non-human world. My approach to therapy is rooted in body-based wisdom and liberatory values. In our work together, my general goals are: to support you in building a present and trusting relationship to your body and sense of self, in moving through the world in whatever body, self, and community feels like home, in your ability to endure and resist the forces of power and oppression in society, and to increase your access wellness and joy - whatever that means for you. I look forward to collaborating on more specific goals together!

SOMATIC EXPERIENCING

I believe that we all have the wisdoms that we need, and that our bodies do too. Somatic experiencing explores trauma’s impact on the nervous system and provides a window to locate the inherent wisdom in your body and return you to that as a source of support.

Somatic work can be helpful in relieving classic PTSD symptoms related to specific events, as well as more generalized impacts of developmental trauma, or living in as a marginalized person in society. Even certain events that have positive impact in our lives, but are overwhelming, may cause trauma symptoms - such as big life transitions and elective surgeries.

The impacts of holding trauma in your body, or being “stuck” in stress physiology, can show up in many ways. Just a few of the ways this might show up are:

• Often feeling fearful, anxious, or agitated

• Feeling numb or disconnected

• Trouble self-soothing

• Trouble sleeping and/or trouble staying awake

• Anxious/avoidant/disorganized patterns in relationships

• Feeling disconnected from, or fearful of, your body

• Low self-esteem

• Certain auto-immune and medical conditions such as fibromyalgia, IBS, Crohn’s, and migraines. (Please note: I am not a medical expert and can only work with these conditions within the scope of my practice.)

FEMINIST / SOCIAL JUSTICE

It’s important to me as your therapist to be accountable to the power dynamics and social systems that inform our relationship and the way you move through the world. Using a feminist/social justice approach means I’m interested in working with an understanding of the roles that oppression takes in our lives and our healing, including the impact of racism, classism, cissexism, heterosexism, and other sources of inequity.

On my end, this means routinely engaging in self-accountability measures to ensure I’m aware of how my position in the world influences our work together. Together, this means I will support you in your entitlement to move through the world in whatever body, self, and community feel like home, in your ability to endure and resist the forces of power, control, and judgment in society, and in your right to be safe. And outside of our time, I will tirelessly advocate for your right to thrive.

TRAUMA-INFORMED

There are as many types of trauma as there are symptoms of trauma. Negative events and experiences often stay with us long beyond the traumatic moment itself, showing up throughout our daily lives and impacting our ability to feel secure and be present in our world. Using a trauma-informed lens means that we’ll work together to build an awareness of the ways that our trauma can shape our physiological, interpersonal, and emotional experiences, and working through these symptoms of trauma to reclaim a sense of groundedness in our everyday lives.

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

Individual therapy means different things to different people. At its core, it means you and I will work together, one-on-one, to address whatever it is that you’re seeking support around.

Here are some things we can work on in individual therapy:
•    Developing self-awareness – of body, identity, values, needs, desires, wants, dislikes
•    Developing a system of self-love and self-care
•    Uncovering and addressing trauma
•    Shifting patterns that no longer serve us
•    Building better relationships
•    Getting unstuck, finding focus, exploring desires, and setting plans
•    Moving through difficult times
•    Addressing depression and anxiety

What to expect:
First, we’ll meet for a consultation. This is a time for us to chat and see if you’re interested in working with me. If you are, we’ll decide on the plan that works best for you, find a time to meet, and begin our work together. No pressure, no mandatory lying on couches – unless you feel like it!

SEX & SEXUALITY

Sex and sexuality are central to our experiences in the world – they are core to ourselves and our relationships. And yet there are so few spaces where we’re invited to speak openly about sex and sexuality – sometimes, we never get the chance to! Whether it’s coming out to family, negotiating BDSM power dynamics, building trust in non-traditional/poly relationships, or reinvigorating sexual intimacy in your partnership, I’m here to support these conversations, build comfortability and clarity around your wants and needs, and help you develop a rewarding relationship with sex and sexuality. I provide a shame-free, non-judgmental environment dedicated to supporting you in feeling healthy, positive, and satisfied in your body.

Here are some of the things we can work on:
•    Exploring sexual identity – attraction, behaviors, interests, naming sexuality, shifting sexuality
•    Exploring sexual interests
•    Learning about/practicing kink
•    Poly/non-traditional relationships
•    Sexual trauma
•    Living with an STI
•    Communicating about sex with partners/potential partners
•    Exploring consent
•    Sex work
•    Addressing unwanted sexual behaviors
•    Navigating stigma

GENDER

Gender: it’s about who we are, how we feel, how we present to the world, and how the world responds to us. So how do we come to a gender that is fully ours – one in which we can inhabit our body, our spirit, and our mind in a way that makes us feel at home? As your therapist, I am enthusiastic about supporting you in living fully in your gender – exploring how it impacts your world, what you wish were different, and where you want to go.

Note: As a trans therapist, I understand that for many people gender identity isn’t central to their interest in therapy, nor central to what they’re seeking support around. I understand this and am interested in following your lead around to what extent you do or don’t want to incorporate talking about your gender into therapy. Just know that I will always hold a space that is safe and affirming!

Here are some of the things we can work on:
•    Exploring your relationship (or lack thereof) with gender
•    Coming out – to partners, families, friends, workplace, community
•    Transitioning
•    Accessing health care, documents, etc.
•    Addressing dysphoria and bodies
•    Building a rewarding sexuality
•    Navigating transphobia and cissexism

CLINICAL SUPERVISION

It’s a delight to offer clinical supervision for folks working towards their LCSW and beyond. In this role, my goal is to support your growth and self-discovery as a clinician. There’s no end to what we might hold together in this work, but some common themes and topic include:

• Developing your therapeutic orientation - the values and modalities that inform your work

• Working across difference (and with sameness)

• Space to process how your work with clients impacts you

• Bringing authenticity to sessions

• Transference and countertransference

• Working within communities that you belong to

CONSULTATION

I also offer consultation for any clinicians who feel I might be able to offer needed support. While I welcome holding space around most issues and concerns, I’m particularly excited to support other clinicians around trans issues and best practices, as well as with developing their understanding of the neurophysiology of trauma, polyvagal theory, and how this understanding can support clinical work.