Approach
My style in session is warm, relational, down-to-earth and strengths-based. I bring a spirit of curiosity, collaboration and compassion to each session. The way I view the world considers the ways systems of oppression and shape our present and past and as a result, this lens is always woven into the work I do with clients.
I have been a therapist since 2016 and over that time, I’ve been able to prioritize expanding and deepening my therapeutic knowledge and skills. The theories and modalities that I've been trained in that most inform my work are:
Internal Family Systems® (IFS)
36-hrs of training, special focus on how an IFS-informed practice can be queer and trans inclusive and affirming
48-hrs of training, completed Level 2
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skill-building
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Psychodynamic exploration
Mindfulness
Areas of Specialization
Exploring identity
Processing thoughts, feelings, desires about gender gender expression and identity, sexuality, romantic orientation, polyamory, LGBTQIA+ identities etc. in a kink and poly-affirming space
Exploring the nuances, complexities of having a bi/multiracial identity, making sense of mixed race and multiracial/biracial experiences
Discussing class, culture, disability, and other identities as is helpful
Processing a ‘late-diagnosis’ of ADHD and/or autism and what this means to you
Strengthening relationship skills
Distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy relationship patterns
Learning about and healing from narcissistic abuse and toxic relationships
Unlearning enmeshment and co-dependency
Making sense of family, friend, and dating relationship dynamics
Practicing assertive communication skills and boundary-setting skills
Identifying needs and desires within relationships, differentiating these from strategies to meet needs, and finding ways to talk about these things with others
Tending to anxiety and depression
Strengthening coping skills and increasing access to your resiliency
Taking concrete steps to alleviate distress
Finding ways for you to experience more contentment, peace and ease in your day-to-day life.
Exploring how to work with high emotional sensitivity as a strength
Engaging a gentle, trauma-informed approach to explore root causes.
Healing trauma
Processing and healing kinds of trauma, such PTSD and complex PTSD (C-PTSD):
Interpersonal (emotional, sexual, physical, psychological abuse and/or neglect)
Intergenerational and historical (between generations, communities)
Societal/structural (ableism, racism, transphobia etc.)
Processing family of origin dynamics
Honoring complexity within relationships, such as the role of poverty, violence, trauma, oppression, health concerns, culture, context and histories etc.
Taking a look at the messages we received in childhood and how these messages may still be present for us now in our relationships and/or belief systems
Examining how a loved one’s substance use and/or mental health challenges have impacted you
Exploring how you can shift family dynamics to better honor what you want and need
Softening toxic shame, guilt and feelings of inadequacy
Exploring how and why feelings of shame, guilt, inadequacy may be holding you back and what you can do about it
Developing new skills and practices to identity these parts and work with them in ways that allow you to feel more grounded, peaceful and empowered
"Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously."
— Prentis Hemphill
Professional Education & Training
Education + Credentials
Licensed Clinical Social Worker in WA (LW61155441)
University of Washington | Seattle
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Concentration: Mental Health
University of Colorado | Boulder
BA in Gender Studies and Ethnic Studies
Certificate: Peace and Conflict Studies
Certificate: the study and practice of leadership for social and environmental justice
What to Expect
While tending to our wounds and fears can be beautiful and liberating, it is also often messy and difficult work. There will be moments where we laugh and moments where I encourage you to feel into discomfort. I am committed to being there for you throughout the whole process!
My commitments to you:
I will bring ongoing curiosity about my own privilege and biases and how these may be showing up in our therapeutic relationship.
I will respect you as the expert of your experience. I am not here to “fix you” or tell you how to live your life.
I am here as a witness, a resource, motivator, a support for self-reflection.
I will support you in connecting to your wisdom and resiliency. I truly believe that you are your most powerful healer.
The duration of our time together and how frequently we meet also vary from person to person. Some people come in once a week, and others choose to come in once every other week. Some folks stay in therapy for years, while others may seek more short term care (~3-6 months). We can do our best to imagine what the arc of our work will look like, while leaving some room to be flexible as needed.
Acknowledging Lineage
I have learned, grown and healed in countless ways due to the scholarship, organizing, art and labor of QTBIPOC (queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) feminists and straight, cis and/or white folks who have modeled powerful and much-needed solidarity. I continue to be inspired by the movements for transformative justice, Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ safety, Land Back, #MeToo, Free Palestine and many others.
I am also a visitor on the unceded, occupied land of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Suquamish and Duwamish peoples. It is in gratitude and acknowledgment of this that I pay Real Rent to the Duwamish peoples in support of their rights to sovereignty, and in recognition of them as rightful caretakers and guides of this place.