My Values as a Psychologist

What I Stand For: My Values as a Psychologist

I know not everyone who visits my site or follows my work may have read my previous blog post about therapist transparency, so I want to share a little about why I’m writing this and what my intention is.

For me, being open about my values isn’t about pushing a political agenda. It’s about giving you the information you need to decide whether I’m the right fit for you. For many people—especially those from historically marginalized or targeted communities—therapy can only be truly healing if it also feels safe. Knowing where a therapist stands can be part of creating that safety.

This isn’t about expecting you to share every belief I hold. We don’t have to agree on everything. What matters to me is honesty, clarity, and alignment, because those things help us do deeper, more vulnerable work together. I’m not here to tell you what to believe. I’m here to be clear about who I am, so you can decide whether this space feels right for you.

In that spirit, I want to share the values that guide my work and the way I show up as a therapist.

I Believe in the Inherent Worth and Dignity of All People

Your value is not determined by your weight, your productivity, your gender identity, your ability status, your income, or whether you’ve ever been in therapy before. You are worthy of care because you are human.

I strive to create a space where people of all identities—especially those who have been marginalized, pathologized, or left out of traditional therapy spaces—can feel seen, affirmed, and supported.

I Am LGBTQ+ Affirming and Queer-Identified

As a gay man, I don’t just "support" LGBTQ+ clients. I am part of the community. I understand the fear of coming out, the exhaustion of code-switching, and the grief of losing relationships that can't hold your truth.

This is very personal for me.

Whether you're questioning your identity or confidently living it, you deserve a therapist who understands the nuances of queer experience—without needing to be educated by you.

I Take a Weight-Inclusive, Non-Diet Approach

I reject the idea that health is synonymous with thinness or that a person’s body size determines their worth. I work from a Health at Every Size® (HAES®) perspective, which means I support clients in building a more peaceful relationship with food, movement, and their bodies, without the pressure to change their weight.

This includes people in all bodies, including those who have been harmed by weight stigma in medical or therapeutic settings.

If you're looking for support in healing your relationship with food or body image, I’m here to help without judgment.

I Believe Bodily Autonomy Is a Human Right

I support access to gender-affirming care, reproductive freedom, disability justice, and the right to make decisions about your own body and life.

I Believe in Expanding, Not Policing, Masculinity

I work with many men who were taught that vulnerability is weakness, that anger is the only emotion they are allowed to show, or that their worth comes from dominance, stoicism, or success. These messages don’t just limit men—they also reinforce systems that fuel sexism, violence, and emotional disconnection.

My approach is about exploring and questioning harmful ideas about masculinity, not shaming men for having them. I want to help clients create a broader, more self-connected understanding of masculinity—one grounded in emotional presence, accountability, and care for themselves and others.

Part of this work also means naming and challenging sexism, misogyny, and gender-based violence. Supporting men’s mental health and addressing the harm of patriarchal systems are not separate goals—they are deeply connected.

I Stand Against Fascism and Attacks on Democracy

I believe therapy cannot be separated from the social and political realities that shape our lives. I stand firmly against fascism, authoritarianism, and efforts to dismantle democracy. These forces threaten the safety, autonomy, and human rights of many of the people I work with—and I will not remain silent in the face of them.

I Actively Work to Unlearn and Challenge Oppression

I am committed to ongoing learning, self-examination, and accountability around the ways privilege and power show up in the therapy room. This includes an explicit commitment to anti-racism, harm reduction, and creating a practice where clients don't have to compartmentalize parts of themselves to feel safe.

Final Thoughts

You have the right to know who you’re working with. Therapy should be a place where you feel safe, supported, and respected in every part of who you are. My hope is that this post helps you get a clearer sense of what I believe in and how I show up for the people I work with.

If these values resonate with you, I’d be honored to work together.

Ready to get started? Schedule a free consultation and let’s talk.