I became a counselor after witnessing the transformative power of listening. In 2012, I worked as a storytelling artist-in-residence for a system of affordable housing buildings in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood. As I interviewed dozens of residents, I witnessed stories about navigating systemic barriers, mental health crises, and community activism. After this experience, I wanted to learn the skills to help people process their inner worlds and develop their sense of self.

Since working in Uptown, I have experienced many chapters in my own story. I learned more about myself through these changes, and I came out later in life as a nonbinary trans man. Coming into this aspect of my identity has affirmed my belief that identities shift over time as we gather life experiences and learn more about ourselves.

In addition to founding Your Identity Counseling, I have worked in a community mental health and methadone clinic, facilitated SMART Recovery groups, provided ketamine-assisted therapy, served as faculty at the Integrative Psychiatry Institute’s psychedelic assisted therapy certification program, and have given talks and trainings on queer and trans experiences with psychedelics.

These diverse experiences have built my therapeutic perspective that is is grounded in harm reduction, trauma-informed practices, and supporting clients in developing self-advocacy. I believe clients hold wisdom about their own experiences, which drives their current needs and goals. I act as a facilitator to help clients uncover and enhance their existing strengths.

My therapy is grounded in harm reduction, trauma-informed practices, and supporting clients in developing self-advocacy. I believe clients hold wisdom about their own experiences, which drives their current needs and goals. I act as a facilitator to help clients uncover and enhance their existing strengths. Similar to my earlier storytelling work, I help my therapy clients rewrite their stories to develop a coherent sense of self in the present-day.