The Invisibly Queer Therapist

How in the hell do you find the right therapist?

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As a straight-passing, cis-gender, Bi+ woman and recovering perfectionist who was raised Catholic, I’ve been on the other side of the screen, searching for a therapist who really “got” me. I’ve lived the anxiety, the people-pleasing, and the pressure to fit into a world that didn’t quite fit me.

Highly Sensitive Child

I grew up a sensitive overachiever, finding validation in grades and caregiving. But that pressure to be perfect got too damn heavy, and I spent my teenage years in rebellion—rejecting just about everything I’d been taught. As an adult, being in a heteronormative relationship made it even harder to be seen. I was constantly trying to prove myself—to show the world I was successful and had it all together. But, eventually, the weight of overworking and people-pleasing hit hard, and I found myself in a full-blown panic attack.

That’s when I realized I had to face my shit—perfectionism wasn’t cutting it anymore.

Long story short, I became the therapist I was searching for—a therapist who understands what it’s like to navigate a world that doesn’t always see—or accept—you.

Raised Catholic, Finding My Own Path

Growing up Catholic left its mark on me—especially when my sexual identity didn’t fit the mold. I know firsthand how religious guilt and shame can make you feel like you’re never enough, constantly apologizing for who you are. Healing from religious trauma is possible, and I’m here to help you navigate that journey.

How I Can Help

Through my own journey, I’ve learned that healing doesn’t come from just putting out fires. Sure, we’ll start with tools to cope—learning how to manage anxiety, perfectionism, and whatever else is keeping you up at night. But real, lasting change? That takes diving deep.

Deep dive therapy isn’t about "whining" about the past—it’s about understanding how the past continues to shape your present and future. If we don’t learn the roots of our beliefs and actions, we keep making the same damn mistakes over and over. Even if they seem new or unique, they’re often tied to the same old patterns.

Together, we’ll get to the root causes—whether it’s childhood experiences, complex trauma, or internalized beliefs—so you can stop living in reaction mode and start living intentionally.

I specialize in helping Bi+ women, gender rebels, and highly sensitive professionals who feel burnt out, anxious, and unsure where they belong. Together, we’ll work on:

  • Complex and Childhood Trauma: Healing the deep-rooted pain from the past that still affects you today.

  • Anxiety and Perfectionism: Finding balance, reducing overwhelm, and learning to embrace imperfection.

  • Queer and Gender Exploration: Supporting you as you explore or affirm your identity, whether you’re queer, bisexual, pansexual, or gender-fluid.

  • Navigating Straight-Passing Privilege: Helping cis bisexual women manage the anxiety, shame, and fear that come with being perceived as straight and dealing with Imposter Syndrome or feeling like an Imposter Queer.

  • Kink-Affirming and Non-Monogamy Support: With both training and lived experience, I provide a safe, non-judgmental space to explore non-traditional relationships and sexual preferences.

Education and Licensure

Licensure

• Oregon # L2784

• Missouri # 2021050929

Education

• 1996: Master in Clinical Social Work - Portland State University

• 1989-1991: Graduate Teaching Fellow. Masters Program / Romance Languages - University of Oregon

• 1987: Bachelor Comparative Literature and Women’s Studies - Portland State University

Specialized Certifications and Trainings 

• EMDR/ Humanitarian Assistance Program Level I & Level II

• Certified Grief Recovery Specialist

• Trauma Informed Care

• Ongoing conferences and trainings: LGBTQIA+ mental health, feminist and trauma informed care

Becoming the Therapist I Was Searching For

Years of chasing perfection and external validation left me feeling alienated. As a straight-passing Bi+ woman, and a parent, I struggled with feeling out of place both in the straight world and within the LGBTQ+ community. It wasn’t until anxiety, the overwhelming fear of not belonging, and internalized bi-phobia took over that I realized I needed to change course. While A's are great, and getting into law school is amazing, it wasn’t the answer.

I needed to find my path. Let’s find yours.