As a queer, licensed clinical psychologist in New England, I have spent nearly twenty years as a teacher, scholar, and clinician devoted to understanding and treating the mental health needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals. My work as an academic has resulted in nearly 50 scientific publications and presentations on LGBTQIA+ topics, including gender and sexual identity development, as well as factors associated with mental health concerns and treatment approaches.

Despite my love for academia, I have found that I am most at home as a clinician “in the trenches” with my fellow humans and rainbow family members. Although I integrate a variety of therapeutic approaches and techniques in my work with clients, I believe that the quality of the relationship between therapist and client is the most important ingredient in successful therapy.

Therapy is hard enough as it is. At the very least, you should have someone you trust guiding you through it. I often tell folx, “You should be able to tell your shrink anything…if you can’t, it’s probably time to find a new therapist.” There is nothing wrong with meeting with someone once or twice and then switching to a new therapist if you aren’t “feeling it”—indeed, I recommend it.

Once a new client and I have established that we are (or likely are) a good fit, we begin our journey together. I work collaboratively with clients to approach each concern as a puzzle we are solving together. I may serve as a guide along the way, sharing my expertise and experience when needed, but you are the expert on yourself and your life. We need both kinds of expertise in order to succeed.