Services
- Individual
- Couples
- Adolescent/Teen
- Group
About My Clients
I find I work best with people who are trying to answer the questions: why am I the way that I am? Why do I want things in my life to change? And how do I go about making changes that are truly longlasting and motivated by me and my needs (not my parents, my boss, my mentor, my partner(s), etc)? There are many identities and experiences that fall under these questions, and I keep it open-ended intentionally. Check out my website to learn more, and for a fuller list of those I've worked with.
My Background and Approach
In my practice, therapy is the process of building a relationship where truths can be spoken in an unexpectedly honest way, bringing to light parts of us that have been silenced, shamed, or ignored. This does not fix the systems we live under, but it does create space for us to uncover what liberation can look like within ourselves and in our communities. In typical therapist terms, my approach is psychodynamic and relational, but it would be more appropriate to say that my work is inspired by thinkers such as bell hooks, Adrienne Rich, James Baldwin, Gloria Anzaldúa, and Frantz Fanon. When we meet, I’ll be thoughtfully using questions, observations, invitations to dig deeper, and even silence in order to help you make new connections, reflect on your inner world, and slowly begin to relate to yourself and your experiences differently. This is not a short-term fix. This is a long-term, engaged process where years of suffering can come to the forefront to be patiently explored.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
I was drawn to the field of therapy due to my experiences as an immigrant from the former Soviet Union, coming of age as a queer person in the Bay Area. I have spent the past 5+ years working in community mental health as a therapist and educator. Alongside my private practice, I manage a program that provides training for peer counselors, with the intention to cultivate a more equitable and well-rounded mental health system.