You deserve a therapist who understands your identities
As a lesbian, neurodivergent parent who has embraced a non-traditional life and left a high-control religion, I understand the challenges and rewards of living authentically. My experiences allow me to support you with compassion and courage as you navigate the changes you seek in your own life.
Amy's Early Career Journey
The Middle Schoolers Who Changed My Life
I started my career as a school counselor at Key Middle School in Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia. The middle schoolers I worked with—sharp, resilient, and unapologetically themselves—taught me more than I ever expected. They showed me what real courage and authenticity look like. In a world that doesn’t support them, they still managed to show up and push through. Those years of walking alongside them shaped me in ways I didn’t even realize at the time.
I was honored to earn accolades like Support Employee of the Year and Leader of the Year, but the real victories came from watching those students find their voices, stand up for what mattered to them, and make real change. One of the moments that still sticks with me is leading a group of student activists advocating for gun safety, even taking their message to Senator Kaine. Watching young people take control of their future like that reminded me of the power we ignore when we don’t listen to the next generation.
As I created spaces for children to explore their identities and challenge systemic oppression, they didn't know it but they were doing the same for me. Supporting queer students navigating religious indoctrination and my own journey of self-discovery pushed me to face the weight of my evangelical upbringing. Their bravery made me confront my own beliefs and begin deconstructing them to create something more inclusive and affirming—not just for them but for myself too.
Middle schoolers have a way of teaching you what you need to hear, whether that’s how to listen better, how to laugh at yourself, or how to show up as your truest self. It wasn’t just a job, it was a transformational experience that continuously drives my work today.
But what I realized in those halls was clear: the system is failing them. They are pushed to the margins, denied the resources they deserve, and forced to navigate a world that is not designed for their success.
This is why my work is about dismantling those systems, creating space for healing, and empowering those who are often ignored. The lessons I learned in those middle school halls fuel my fight for a world that supports not just the kids but all of us who need a system that truly works for us. It’s not just about healing—it’s about real, radical change.
