About me…

I’m Charlie! They/Them pronouns

I’m currently living in Mexico and seeing clients who reside in California. I grew up in Portland, OR and lived in the Bay Area (San Jose, Oakland and San Francisco) from 2013 thru 2024. I received a Masters of Social Welfare from UC Berkeley in 2017, and am a registered Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California. I worked in community mental health at UCSF Alliance Health Project, serving the 2LGBTQIAP+, HIV+ and Substance Using communities from 2017 thru 2024, and left the non-profit realm in 2024 to start a private practice.

I’m a dog lover and have a tiny chihuahua/ dachshund named Olive who may make an appearance on screen from time to time.

In my free time I enjoy spending time with community, going to arcades, playing tabletop and RPG games, and being out in nature.

Clinical Theories that guide my practice:

My theoretical orientation comes from a combination of Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic, Mindfulness Based CBT, Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing and Relapse Prevention models. I’ve had some training in STAIR, DBT and IFS and am comfortable using the practice skills and apps to help reintegrate tools that have been helpful for you in the past along with new tools and exploration. My theories of practice are framed within an understanding of Critical Race Theory, Queer and Trans Theory, Disability Justice, Liberation and community centered practice. Books like Decolonizing Therapy, My GrandMother’s Hands and Polysecure are in my library.

Values and Beliefs:

I believe it is important for folx to know my values and framings because therapists are not blank slates and biases are very real. I strive to create a therapeutic space of transparency and accountability, where we can have different values and beliefs, and come together as collaborators and co-conspirators.

My values and political orientation were formed from my own lived identities and ongoing education. I’m a white, queer, nonbinary person with a transmasc history, who uses they/them pronouns. I’m a third generation US citizen from Jewish Ukrainian immigrants, and the lessons I hold from ancestors and trans-cestors are those of Anti-Zionism and rebellion.

I believe in Critical Race Theory, Black Lives Matter, Indigenous Sovereignty, Land Back, Anti-Colonialism, Trans Rights, Harm Reduction framework of substance use, Poly and KINK positivity, Sex Work is valid work, Disability Justice is critical, Bodies at Every Size, Climate Change is real, and the belief that basic human needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare and dignity are basic human rights.

I came out as queer in a high school that had yet to get a GSA and during the time of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Later I came out as trans and began navigating the medical system in during the DSM-4, pre-insurance coverage, and necessity of informed consent and underground community care networks. This taught me the value of community aid and activism. Since then my activism has included canvassing, protesting, participating in city committee meetings, providing trainings, divestments, and providing probono letters for gender affirming surgeries. I believe change happens on multiple levels with multiple strategies and that there is not one right way to enact change in therapy or in social movements.

I share all of this for transparency and framing, and I invite difference into our sessions. Above all I hold that you are the expert on your own life and lived experiences.

Contact me to schedule a free 15 minute consultation call for further discussion