The Human Behind
Courageous You

Courageous You grew out of a simple but important realization. Many of the people seeking therapy were never the “default client” that traditional mental health systems were designed for. Queer people, non-monogamous partners, neurodivergent folks, and kinky communities were often misunderstood, pathologized, or asked to squeeze their lives into frameworks that didn’t reflect how they actually lived and loved. Over time, it became clear that many people were not struggling because something was wrong with them, but because the spaces meant to support them had not been built with their realities in mind.

That insight became the foundation for this practice. Courageous You was created as a therapeutic space where people can bring their full identities, relationships, and inner experiences without needing to translate or hide parts of themselves. The goal is simple: thoughtful, affirming care that respects the complexity of real lives and relationships.

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I’m a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with more than 14 years of experience supporting individuals and relationships through depression, anxiety, trauma, identity exploration, and relational change. Over time, my work has increasingly centered people who are building lives outside of traditional scripts, including queer, non-monogamous, neurodivergent, and kink-affirming communities. I approach therapy as a collaborative process where curiosity, consent, and relational safety create space for meaningful change.

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Along the way, I’ve continued to invest in training that helps me show up more skillfully for the people I work with. Rather than relying on a single approach, I’ve sought out learning that deepens my ability to support trauma healing, relationship repair, and nervous system regulation. This has included intensive training (250 hours) in psychedelic-assisted therapy through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute, along with more recent study in Somatic EMDR, the Hakomi Method (Somatic Therapy), Emotionally Focused Therapy, and the Gottman Method. Earlier in my career I also trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing, and in 2018 I became an approved clinical supervisor through the Washington Department of Health. Each step along the way has been guided by the same intention: continuing to grow so I can better support the people who trust me with their stories.

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These experiences shape how I think about healing. Rather than relying on a single model, I draw from multiple frameworks that help people understand patterns, process difficult experiences, and move toward lives that feel more aligned and spacious. What matters most to me is creating a therapeutic relationship where people feel safe enough to be honest, curious enough to explore new possibilities, and supported enough to build meaningful change over time.

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At the heart of this practice is a simple belief: healing often begins when people are finally met with understanding instead of judgment. Whether someone is navigating trauma, exploring identity, reimagining relationships, or reconnecting with themselves, Courageous You exists to offer a place where their full story is welcome.