Gender Identity

I work with members of the trans and non-binary community and help with gender questioning, gender dysphoria, transition decisions, family issues, relationship issues, and discrimination. I leverage my medical background to help people navigate medical and surgical transition.

My desire to work with gender identity was a critical component to my inspiration in becoming a sex therapist. I am passionate about delivering gender affirming care at all stages of exploration and/or transition.

Using a strengths-based affirming approach informed by an education in Gender Identity Development, I help my clients to form their own conceptualization of gender and feel comfortable with its fluidity. No matter the age or stage of identity development, I create a space where clients feel safe to be their most authentic selves. I work with my clients to advocate for access to any necessary resources and help connect them to a larger community of love and support.

My expertise and training is working with gender and sexuality, which is often to say working through issues in expression and understanding. I offer space to further explore and understand gender, or otherwise affirmation and understanding. We go at your pace.

I use my lived and clinical experience to support others in their gender exploration and journey. If you or someone you know has been questioning gender, transitioning, coming out or facing heteronormativity, I am here to help. I began my clinical training at the former Gender Identity Center and have continued to learn and support others through my career. Wherever you are at on your gender journey to authenticity and beyond, I would be honored to support you or help you support another.

I have lived experience with my own gender confusion and subsequent gender exploration. I provide gender-affirming care to trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, gender fluid, gender queer, intersex, two-spirit, agender people, and those who are questioning their own gender, gender identity, and/or gender expression. Gender-affirming care explores who you are, as defined by you and only you.

As someone who has grappled with and accepted their own gender identity, including choosing to medically transition, I have personal experience that aids in my expertise. I approach gender exploration with curiosity, openness, and non-judgment. I am here to help you understand yourself through compassionate listening and asking questions. Alternatively, perhaps you already have a solid understanding of your gender, but simply prefer to work with a therapist who has experience with trans clients.

Informed by my lived experience as a (non-binary) trans woman, I understand the vast nuances of the gender-expansive community -- good, bad, and ugly. Informed by many BIPOC educators, my approach is underpinned by a decolonial understanding of the gender binary being closely tied to White Supremacy, Capitalism, and Colonialism. While those systems of oppression may not frequently come up in your session, bringing their influence into conscious awareness is key to finding deep peace.

I am an intersex person, assigned as male at birth. Although I identify as female within the gender binary, tomboy best describes my gender identity. I don't pass, which means that ever encounter with every new person I interact with is a coming out experience. I was the first out trans person hired in every job I've held since transitioning. In one form or another, I have been an activist in the trans community for more than a decade.

I love working with folx who are exploring gender identity and journeying with them as they claim the identity/identities that are their most authentic expression. I am happy to provide supportive documentation needed for social or medical transition, and strive to minimize challenges related to navigating insurance and medical systems. If you are needing documentation from a therapist and concerned about cost, please reach out to me so we can figure out how to best support you!

“He allowed himself to be swayed by his conviction that human beings are not born once and for all on the day their mothers give birth to them, but that life obliges them over and over again to give birth to themselves.” ― Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez

At Michigan Safe Space, we strive to make quality, evidence-based, trauma-informed mental health services available to all members of our community. Supporting diversity and inclusivity are core values. As part of this mission, our therapists are committed to the principles of gay and LGBTQ affirmative therapy and we strive to empower those who are marginalized and oppressed.

In addition to lived experience, I have completed a Masters level Clinical Internship at the Gender Identity Center in 2018. Since then I have been providing gender affirming mental health care in a variety of settings such as inpatient mental health for teens and adults as well as clinics that provide play therapy to children. Additionally, I provide education for behavioral health providers to bring cultural relevance into provider practice and to create affirming and inclusive environments.

I have extensive research and training in understanding the unique needs of trans, non-binary, gender nonconforming, and genderqueer populations, as well as the LGBTQQIA community. I also enjoy helping cigender individuals explore and challenge rigid cultural expectations about gender roles. I welcome parents and family members who want to learn more and be more supportive of their queer and trans loved ones.

I support teenagers exploring their relationship to gender in a supportive, celebratory and accessible way. I also enjoy working with families to help them figure out how to love and support their children well throughout this process.

A primary "specialty" area of mine is working with folks to explore their gender identity and gendered experiences. Through a trauma-informed, queer and trans affirming lens I combine my professional learning with lived experience to create a safer container in therapy to hold the complexities of our experience and deconstruct toxic societal messaging and oppression to support authentic expression and joy.

There are many hurdles for people who are trans*, such as exploring gender freely, without judgment, to seeking gender confirmation services. Beyond providing a safe space for trans folx, I am ready to write documentation after a single session to be used with other medical professionals to assert your readiness for any medical assistance with your transition that you might need.