A Safe Space to Explore, Heal and Start Living your Best Life

You are tired of dimming your light

You want to discover what it means to be authentically you

You are ready to begin healing from life’s pain

If you agreed with those statements, you’re in the right place. At Revitalizing Inner Self Essence, therapy isn’t a place where you’ll wonder if you are accepted. At R.I.S.E, you’ll never have to wonder if you’re being judged for your sexual orientation, gender identification, or sexual interests. You’ll never hear me say anything like “being a member of the LGBTQ community is for white people”. At R.I.S.E, we provide holistic, trauma-informed and liberation focused therapy for all members of the LGBTQ community. I want you to feel welcome and accepted. I want to help you heal. I want to help you live authentically.

LGBTQ Trauma-Informed therapy

At R.I.S.E, we provide holistic, trauma-informed therapy for trauma survivors. Deciding to begin trauma therapy can be hard for members of the LGBTQ community, even more so for Black folk and people of color.

When you’ve been mistreated, judged, and discriminated against by strangers, co-workers, family members, and even friends its not easy to open up again. You wonder if a therapist will really understand why you can’t just “move on” or “be yourself”. This is why its very important to connect with a well-trained, trauma therapist.

Through my lived experience as a queer, Black female and my extensive professional training as a therapist, I am a trauma expert. As a trauma expert, I understand the importance of pacing therapy to allow time for you to trust my approach. I also understand your uniqueness and tailor therapy to meet your specific needs. You don’t have to be stuck with unwanted memories, anger or loneliness. Trauma therapy can help.

Things you might be wondering…

What are some examples of trauma responses? Here are a few:

• Fear of coming out
• Difficulty connecting with others
• Social + Family withdrawal
• Internalized homophobia, sexism, misogyny, and colonialism
• Feelings of shame/guilt regarding your sexual orientation or gender identity
• Recurrent grief and sadness
• Fear of religious persecution

Are you a member of the LGBTQ community or an ally?

I am a member of the LGBTQ community. I identify as queer and as a same-gender loving female.

What can you help with?

I primarily work with folks who are survivors of homicide or domestic violence. But, maybe you want help with the bullying after you came out (or each time you come out to a new person). Perhaps you want to find a new spiritual practice after religion has caused pain. Sometimes folks want to address symptoms of PTSD from discrimination, racism or sexual assault.

Why should I trust you to be my therapist?

First, I’ll say that my style of therapy is not for everyone. I do not just sit, nod my head and take notes while you talk.  Secondly, I don’t relate everything to your childhood. While we will explore aspects of your childhood, we will also explore aspects like oppression, colonialism, heteronormativity and ethnicity and their impact on your identity.

The bottom line: I respect you, I understand parts of your struggle and I am not here to “fix” you.