Kirk Pineda (He/Him)

I identify as a cisgender, biracial gay man. It is not always easy to accept ourselves or fit in with others when our community (and the neighboring communities of racial identity) come with stereotypes and expectations both ridiculous and impossible to sustain. In reality, we're more than these stereotypes. We can be unique in our own way and make our sexuality as important (or unimportant) as we want. But it starts with accepting ourselves first—and I'd be happy to help you where you are.

Realizing I had ADHD in 2020 meant having this stark realization that I am faced with a unique experience in life that I deal with on a daily basis. Sometimes it's fantastic. Other times it's annoying. My way of managing my own ADHD has worked for me, and I'd be happy to share my style with you. But we also have to remember that my experience can be very similar or very different from yours—we'll work together to see what works for you when managing ADHD so you can live a life you're proud of.

Binge eating is my particular specialization of eating disorder. Binge eating is when someone subjectively believes they are eating too much, and on top of this, turns to food as a means for comfort. It is a habit that creates too much guilt and shame, and too little relief. Having experienced strong shifts in weight over the course of 10+ years, I say with confidence that I can help you create understand why you binge, break your pattern, and improve your relationship with food.

My approach with SFBT is anything but brief. There is a necessity to know our current circumstance, then figuring out how we feel about our options. Sometimes life also forces us to make decisions we don't want to make, either. The intent with SFBT to find ways to make small changes that either make our situation better or mitigate the pain we experience. Think of it as first-aid—use it as-needed, and then return to finding ways to continue our work.

Change is hard. There are obstacles, setbacks, lengthy detours, missing confidence, and pushback from others. ACT means we accept that these challenges will be there, but we do what we can with what we've got, and do not punish ourselves for not making progress. Progress is not linear, and can come in bursts before we see steady change. And even steady change has its lapses. The goal here is to grow comfortable with the process of change, find meaning it, and then take action.

This approach and the way I use it typically entails getting to know some of your past, then recognizing some hidden patterns or themes in your life that might be contributing to repeated struggles. I take into account your emotions regarding your present, past, and future, and look into ways in which your relationship with others and yourself may also be manifesting in therapy. The more you share, the more we can understand, and the more opportunities arise to change your life.