What is Queer and Trans-Competent Therapy?

Beyond mere affirmation and getting your pronouns right, queer and trans-competent therapy is a specialized approach that comprehends the unique needs of the LGBTQIA+ community. We understand that you're the expert on yourself. At the same time, we do our homework, so you aren’t stuck having to constantly explain, correct, or advocate for yourself.

Queer and trans-competent therapists have in-depth knowledge of common mental health issues specific to the LGBTQIA+ community, including minority stress, coming-out experiences, gender dysphoria, and the effects of discrimination on mental well-being. Simultaneously, we approach your experiences with curiosity, recognizing that not everything is directly tied to your gender or sexuality. Our focus centers on your goals and what’s important to you.

Recognizing the presence of discrimination and exclusivity within the medical field, we have connections with diverse and trans-competent providers across various disciplines. We are familiar with LGBTQIA+ resources available in our city and do our best to connect you with the right people and services.

We honor intersectionality, recognizing that your life is shaped by various social identities, such as race, ethnicity, gender, ability, size, romantic orientation, and sexuality. Understanding that discrimination can compound for people with multiple marginalized identities, we grasp the diverse layers of your identity and the impact of societal structures on your mental health. We are sensitive to your encounters of discrimination but also celebrate and amplify your resilience, your joy, your values, your strengths, and the things that make you wonderfully, beautifully, you.

My Experience

My career as a psychotherapist started in Colorado, and from the beginning, I dedicated myself to primarily serving adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities and folks in the queer community.

This commitment led me to Grand Rapids, where I had the honor of contributing to the reputable Tobin Counseling practice, providing specialized queer and trans competent care for our city. In this space, alongside amazingly skilled and supportive colleagues, helping and empowering queer and trans individuals has grown beyond a professional strength into a passion that fuels my work each day.

In 2021, I completed a certification course refining my skills in writing clinical letters for gender-affirming medical care. Since then, with the collaborative support of other professionals, I've integrated this knowledge into my practice, providing this essential service for a number of active clients. Acknowledging that many therapists can unintentionally act as gatekeepers to those seeking gender-affirming medical care, my mission is clear—to help dismantle these barriers and get out of your way as much as I can. I know that life, in all its complexities, is hard enough. I am committed to using my experience to help people beyond our 55 minute sessions.

Ready for Your 20-Minute Consultation?

If you're seeking a therapist who not only understands but celebrates your identity, I invite you to schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation with me. Together, we can explore your needs and see how I can help. I look forward to the opportunity!