Hey there! My name is Jake. Thanks for checking out my listing :)
I am a Couple and Family Therapist (sometimes called "Marriage and Family Therapy") living and working in Chicago. My desire to be a therapist stems from my own experience as a queer and kinky person in therapy. I know firsthand what a difference a therapist in the community can make and I want to provide that space for others.
I received my BA in Psychology and Minor in LGBT Studies from the University of Maryland in 2019 and my MA in Couple and Family Therapy from Adler University in 2021. I have intentionally centered queerness (and nonconformity generally) in my professional work; not only did I minor in LGBT studies, I worked with the Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago and have received trainings specifically on working with kinky clients in therapy, sex-positivity in therapy, creating an LGBT and TGNC affirming practice, and working with all manner of relationship constellations (open relationships, non-monogamous relationships, D/s relationships). Further, as a member of the community, I have been a member of DC-Pups and Handlers (PAH), the Chicago Pet Patrol, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and led classes at CLAW (the largest annual kink education conference).
As a Couple and Family Therapist, I am trained to work with individuals and relational systems, whether it be couples, roommates, triads, chosen families, families of origin, or any number of other structures.
I also am a firm believer that therapy that does not consider contextual factors is woefully incomplete. As such, I bring an intersectional approach to every conversation in therapy. Social justice is key to my work and has been central to my training as a therapist. These conversations can be a source of pain, joy, and healing - I welcome it all.