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 briefly share why I'm writing this—and what the intention is and isn’t.

I believe that being open about my values isn’t about promoting a political agenda. It’s about giving people the information they need to make an informed decision about who they want to work with in therapy. For many, especially those from historically marginalized or targeted communities, therapy can only be healing when it also feels safe. Knowing a therapist’s values up front can be part of that safety.

This isn’t about ideological agreement. I don’t expect anyone to share every belief I hold. But I do believe that honesty, clarity, and alignment matter—especially when we’re doing deep, vulnerable work. So, this post is not about telling anyone what to believe; it’s about showing you where I stand so you can decide whether this space feels right for you.

In a recent blog post, I wrote about why I believe therapists should be transparent about their values—not to promote a political agenda, but to offer clients the information they need to make an informed, empowered choice. For many people seeking therapy today, safety and affirmation aren't optional. They're non-negotiable.

So in that spirit of transparency, I want to be clear about what I believe and how I approach this work.

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 isn't theoretical for me. It's personal.

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. These are not controversial beliefs to me. They are foundational to human dignity and mental health.

I Believe in Expanding, Not Policing, Masculinity

I work with many men who have been taught that vulnerability is weakness, that anger is the only acceptable emotion, or that their value lies in dominance, stoicism, or success. These messages don’t just hurt men—they reinforce systems of harm that uphold sexism, violence, and emotional disconnection.

I believe in unpacking harmful ideas about masculinity, not shaming men for having them. My goal is to help clients build a more expansive, self-connected version of masculinity—one rooted in emotional presence, accountability, and care for self and others.

I also name and challenge sexism, misogyny, and gender-based violence. Supporting men’s mental health and dismantling patriarchal systems are not in conflict—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 deserve to know who you’re working with. Therapy is a space where you should feel safe, supported, and respected—not just as a client, but as a whole person. My hope is that this post gives you a clearer picture of what I stand for and how I show up in this work.

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.