The first break-down of my mental health in 2019, and my subsequent self-diagnosis of autism in 2020, led to a cornucopia of positive events (most germane, this website).

What began as a blog in the second year of my graduate program, exploring my experiences as a trans, neuro-queer therapist-in-training as a means of assisting others with self-diagnosis (hence the silly name), has now transformed into a website for my private practice.

That blog, which i continue to update with the same means in mind, can still be found here.

Please continue reading if you are interested in learning about my approach, my beliefs, and/or what I call martial arts therapy.

About my approach to therapy

As a budding therapist, i have no claim to expertise. In providing neurodivergent-/gender minority-affirming and trauma-informed care, my approach to therapy is greatly influenced by my personal experiences with trauma, substance overuse, ARFID, depression, anxiety, and being neuro-queer and trans.

Between my education and professional experience, i have received training on many therapeutic theories and modalities, and i do not root my approach in any particular one.

That said, i am open to working within all therapeutic theories and modalities, regardless of my personal opinions about any of them, because i believe your therapeutic space should be exactly that – your therapeutic space.

My approach is rooted in the healing principles and practices of sensory awareness (that is, providing comfortable sensory experiences within the therapeutic space), transparency, consent, validation of your perspectives, non-judgment, open-mindedness, and client-centeredness.

My approach can be traditional (that is, sitting and talking in a room) if that is what you prefer, and i am also open to any non-traditional approaches you prefer such as walking, dancing, creating art, stretching, praying, etc.

I encourage meeting in person, and, to provide accessible and inclusive services, i am also happy to meet with you virtually.

What i believe about mental health and therapy

I believe all life is precious.

I believe in anti-colonialism and anti-oppression.

I believe in teaching others how to be their own therapists.

I believe there is more to life than the colonial, capitalist rat race.

I believe every person has a mental health, just as every person has a physical health.

I believe that defining mental health is subjective (that is, only you decide what mental ill-health and wellness mean for you).

I believe that what is therapeutic (read: healing) for one person can be re-/traumatizing for another (for example, sitting and talking in a room).

I believe therapy would not be needed without systems of oppression (that is, i believe in organizing to abolish systems of oppression and, ultimately, working my-self out of a job).

About martial arts therapy

For the past 9 years i have been practicing a style from Indonesia called Pencak Silat (pronounced pen-chawk see-lawt) that incorporates spirituality, mindfulness, meditation, and dance with self-defense.

These principles and practices have demonstrated profound healing effects for me and many others i have connected with, particularly regarding trauma, in re-connecting our minds and bodies and re-developing self-confidence.

Martial arts therapy is but one of many movement-based modalities that i would be happy to practice with you.