Hello. I am from Louisiana. I can honestly say I have never considered whether anyone is LGBTQ+ or not. I grew up without being bombarded with mad prejudice though it was everywhere. I played music from age 4 – now with many different types and flavors of people; and most of my friends and associates are still in that world. I am heterosexual, if that is okay with you. I am 72 years old, growing up in the 60’s,, friends and family that went to Viet Nam, inelegantly paving the way for the generations coming after. We had good intentions and were brave, recklessly unafraid, with no plan. But we did learn how to have fun and be happy – major life skills.

I practice teletherapy/virtual sessions in LA and TX and face-to-face sessions in TX. My clinical experience is in psychiatry inpatient units, outpatient psychotherapy, and med-surg hospitals as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and director at one time of an inpatient psychiatric unit in Aransas Pass, TX, for reference – doesn’t make me super-therapist. But because of my excellent training from people who are smarter than me, and my experience, I am adept at identifying the problems and concerns people face in a relevant, meaningful way in order to better work out what the problem really is, or where it began. What I know how to do – various talk, narrative, and mind-body psychotherapies. Sad to say I don’t know Spanish well enough to be fair to someone whose first language is Spanish; I speak English. Diagnoses or life issues would be chronic medical or life-altering circumstances, a history of child and adult sexual trauma, specializing in PTSD, Panic Disorder, Dissoation, OCD behaviors, Substance overuse/misuse/abuse/dependence, Depression, Bipolar I + II, ADHD and some thought disorders, if my client is able to stay on task.

For OutCare’s focus, I have more current experience with self-identified Trans-males, Trans-females, Cisgender Gay males, and Cisgender Lesbians. I am sure their are others whose private parts of their lives are not shared with me, but those others choose to work on a specific coping skill or process what’s been going on now and in the past. Because of where I live right now, in central Texas, half of my practice is currently active duty military and Veterans. Of course, not everybody is military and others are allowed to have PTSD and trauma, too. Most clients come in feeling disturbed by ‘something’ and we commonly go from mood disorder up the chain. You are the expert on You. – maybe you just don’t know it, yet!

My office location is about 45 minutes from the Austin area; it is a peaceful, feel-good place. I feel good, and safe, there, anyway, and my clients agree. Not a lot of people coning and out, or simply nosy people. We are all private businesses with one office each. And, we are proud to say we have a real bathroom vs a pretend one. Our high-ceiling offices are already decorated and designed by the landlords in antiques and large furniture. I brought some lamps and office chair. The building is a refurbished late 1900’s location, updated, but retains its charm.

I’d say half of my clients either already have diagnoses of PTSD, mood disorders, thought disorders, sexual trauma, childhood trauma, domestic violence, complicated problems of every living, or are just now, at any age, working out things they are not sure how to perceive, having become more apparent over time. “Any age” means that I have more young adult clients than ever, because they know they deserve to be heard! Ever-evolving. I limit ages of people I see to 14-100+ years old. Disclaimer -I am not skilled at play therapy, child therapy, Christian counseling, or couples therapy. I have seen it done the “right way”, and know it is not me. Therapy is not just a plesant conversation. It is a rule in the life of a therapist that once you let people know you work with disabilities, sexual and other trauma (or things other therapists take exception to, or admittedly wouldn’t know how to act), you get all those referrals. So, by a stroke of luck, I have ended up with a lot of experience in those areas.

I am open to most anything, lifestyles, preferences, proclivities. I venture to say that I have many clients who hold differing religious beliefs, but, the therapy I practice is a secular approach, open to segue to any other belief system with which clients identify. I was not trained to always be “formal” so go to collaboration with clients vs the I-Thou presentation. But, I can use any formal approach if that is your wish, As long as we respect each other, practice propriety with others, and are, in your opinion, a good fit, then everythng will be copacetic. I use Doxy.me for secure teletherapy. I may add Zocdoc. Have never worked with or for Zocdoc, but with other virtual platforms.
Anything else, if I haven’t addressed it, please ask. My LGBTQ+ clients and friends have educated me more than any book (or other people’s parody of what they think LGBTQ+ is), on the respectful, ‘right way’ to talk, act, what’s important, and generally, not to offend anyone. I hope that is true. If I’m wrong, please tell me.

Call me, text or email me if you want to talk a bit before our first appoitment in order to give me preferences on days/times and if you have a certain therapy you think has helped you in the past that you want to continue. My office hours are Mondays and Thursdays from 0800 – 1900. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday are reserved for teletherapy, same times. Have I left anything out? You’ll be sure to let me know.