My Story

The path to becoming a therapist

I am a licensed mental health counselor with a master's degree in Counseling Psychology.

There are many paths to becoming a therapist or counselor (these terms mostly mean the same thing). After completing an undergraduate degree, therapists usually choose to study either psychology or social work. A therapist/counselor/social worker has at least a master's degree and is licensed to diagnose and treat a wide range of mental health conditions. A psychologist has a doctoral degree, and in addition to treatment, may do research related to mental health, and can perform a wide range of standardized assessments. A psychiatrist is a doctor with an MD who is licensed to prescribe medication for the management of mental health, in addition to choosing to do therapy and/or research.

I got my master's degree at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, CA. During that time, I completed clinical practicums with gay men living with HIV/AIDS, and elders living in an assisted living community. After school I moved to Boston, MA and worked for five years with LGBTQ+ youth of color in an urban community setting. Since returning to Iowa City, I have continued to work with LGBTQ+ people of all ages.

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