A New Voice

Queer and Trans-Inclusive Mental Health Support

If you are struggling, that does not mean that you are broken.

The world often tells us that if we are in pain, or if we are struggling, that there is something wrong with us. We are sometimes made to believe that we are broken and need to be fixed. 

That isn’t true. You are not broken.

Painful emotions like anger and sadness let us know when we have been hurt. Everyone experiences pain at least some of the time. It’s part of being human. 

We may want to push down difficult emotions so that we can feel happy again, or so that we can look “normal” to everyone else. But hiding all the time can feel exhausting and overwhelming.

You deserve a chance to rest.

Hi, I’m River. I help people heal from painful life experiences and learn new ways to feel safe, connected, and fulfilled.

I believe that our bodies and minds have an innate wisdom and flexibility. When we are exposed to hardships we adapt to keep ourselves safe from danger. This may look like shutting down our emotions to cope, looking for warning signs everywhere we go, or being hesitant to trust those closest to us.

These responses can become second nature, and we sometimes keep using them even after the danger is gone. In cases like these, the behaviors that once protected us can start to cause pain instead. It may be hard to connect with our emotions or with the people that we love. This does not mean that we are broken. It just means that the things that used to keep us safe are no longer serving us. We may want to find new ways of being in the world that work for us now, in the present moment.

When it comes to our work together, I don’t believe that I have the answers about what those new ways of being should look like. My goal is to help create a space where you feel safe enough to bring your whole self—the darkness and the light, the laughter and the tears, the fear and the hope. In bearing witness to these parts of ourselves, I believe that we can connect to a new voice—our innate wisdom about what we need and want to build a fulfilling life.

Specialties

Where do I start?

  1. Send me an e-mail or fill out my contact form. You can tell me a bit about yourself and why you are looking for support right now.

  2. I will reach back out to you and let you know how I can help. I can answer questions via email, or we can schedule a free virtual consultation. Talking face to face might help you decide if we would be a good fit to work together.

  3. Decide if working together feels right to you, and send me an email to schedule your first session!

Services