obsidian as a peer support counselor
My lifelong drive for understanding people, innate sense of non-judgment, and deep capacity for compassion have lead me here.
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I have a BA in sociology, and an allergy to grad school. As long as I thought that going through academia and systems was the only path to doing this kind of work, I couldn't bring myself to do it- I disagree too much with the industry.
So I forged my own path in education. I'm a Certified Trauma and Resilience Life Coach and a recipient of the Equitable Care Certification, a program focused on providing sex worker affirming care that I highly recommend. I've attended panels on surviving psychiatric incarceration, disordered eating, OCD, and anti-carceral crisis preparation.
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But ultimately, I remain intentionally non-licensed as a peer supporter. I draw from my own experiences of madness and being in therapy, learning what doesn't help from my first court-appointed therapist when I was 14 and others that didn't work out, and taking good notes from the wonderful woman who saw me for seven years in my adolescence, my incredible DBT therapist in 2014, and my current brilliant and deeply trauma informed counselor.
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Lastly, I find that self-actualization is a wildly creative process. Much of my own healing has been metabolized through my music, small void, which explores friendship, abuse, love, transformation, joy, and grief. It's meaningful to me to share my process on stage and to bring this creativity and openness into my work with my clients.​
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Some may need a place to rest and process the nitty gritty of heavier experiences and some need more structure with goal setting. I work well with both to support you in establishing skills that align with your strengths.
a note on shared community
I approach this role as someone who personally understands the need for someone relatable to talk to. I am comfortable working with those who may have some shared community with me. I aim to embody "we take care of us" and balance that with respect for your privacy. I trust in my ability to create a space for us to have a counseling relationship. Everything you share is confidential, including that you see me for sessions- that is yours to disclose or not. If I feel any concerns with conflict of interest, I'll be honest with you. If we find any sticky spots, we will communicate directly with each other and move forward with what feels responsible, harmonious, and makes the most sense, together.
outside the office
