HRP Counseling and Art Therapy

Over the past 5 plus years I have found that my practice consists almost entirely of transgender, nonbinary, genderfluid, and questioning individuals who are wanting to work with a trans identified therapist. For some of my clients their identity and/or transition is our focus, and for others we are working on other mental health factors and stressors in their life but they appreciate knowing that they are working with an affirming provider.

Letters for Gender Affirming Care

I am able to offer letters of support for existing and new clients. I work collaboratively to find out what you already know and want, what you might have questions about, and if discussing surgery who your aftercare supports are. For new clients I ask that we meet for two sessions focused on discussing the care you are seeking at the end of which I will finalize your letter.

You will also find a list of medical centers in the Boston area that provide affirming care and are labelled by model of care they use for gender affirming hormones on my resources page (i.e. informed consent, assessment, letter, etc).

Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy

I strongly believe in the principles of neurodiversity. In my work with clients I am required by insurance to provide diagnosis, but unless discussed otherwise as a preference or when seeing someone with a desire for diagnostic assessment or accommodations requiring diagnosis, do not focus on diagnostic criteria and disorders.

Art Therapy Focus

My background in art therapy can show up in many ways in our sessions depending on your preferences. I consider art based work part of my toolbox and that can look like using art directives to deepen your understanding of a particular theme, using art as a way to warm up and ground at the start of session, strengthening your own identity and practice as an artist, using art as a way to access non-verbal needs, or something you do during session while we talk to help you stay focused. I also often integrate other areas of creativity and expression such as writing, video games, and role playing.

Trauma Focus

I am trained in three trauma oriented treatment modalities called Trauma Focused CBT, Attachment Regulation Competency, and Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment. In practice I integrate my learning from these modalities into work with all clients. I also strongly integrate building gentleness and compassion with self and parts that have developed to survive trauma that may be impacting you in uncomfortable and painful ways.