Black, Queer, American Therapist in Germany

I’m originally from the United States where I worked as a psychotherapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the Smith College School for Social Work in Northampton, Massachusetts. I wrote my master’s thesis on the importance of asking about and addressing adult clients’ sexual concerns in psychotherapy.

After graduation, I completed a 2-year clinical fellowship focused on helping people heal from relational trauma at the Victims of Violence Program at Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School. I then moved to Los Angeles, California where I provided individual and group therapy for mothers recovering from trauma and addiction. Since 2020, after completing 3,000 hours of supervised clinical work and passing law and ethics exams, I have been certified as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW #97653) in California. 

In 2021, I moved from Los Angeles to Munich with my German wife and our soon-to-be-born child. In 2024, I opened my counseling practice to serve the English-speaking community here.

I tailor my approach to each client’s unique needs, so that counseling‬ feels collaborative, effective, and deeply meaningful. The foundation of my training is in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, which explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns impact your present. I also have training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Levels 1 & 2), Nonviolent Communication, and meditation.

I bring a trauma-informed lens to all of my work. For clients seeking trauma-focused counseling, I work from a stage-based approach, which starts with addressing current safety, stability, and self-care. From this foundation, we can decide together how to address the deeper impact of adversity, integrate this understanding into your broader life story, and cultivate new experiences.

As a clinical social worker, I believe our well-being is shaped by both our inner world and the external systems we live in. My mission is to help my clients make choices that support their long-term wellness, so that they can show up fully for themselves, their communities, and a more just world.

My fee is 120 euros per counseling session. Sessions are‬‭ 60 minutes long‬‭, usually‬‭ on the same day‬ and time each week. I’ve found that‬‭ weekly‬‭ sessions‬‭ provide‬ the consistency and momentum needed for my clients to feel better, faster. As clients move toward their goals, we adjust the schedule to fit their needs. Clients finish counseling once they’ve met their goals, knowing they can return anytime they need support.

No. My services are private-pay only and not covered by German health insurance, as I’m licensed in the U.S. rather than Germany. For those who are able to invest in their mental health privately, this offers greater flexibility, privacy, and no required diagnosis or reporting to insurance companies.

We’ll meet for counseling sessions via Zanda Health, a secure, GDPR-compliant video platform designed for healthcare providers. Zanda doesn’t require any downloads - you can join our sessions directly through your internet browser on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Sessions are confidential, encrypted, and never recorded. All you need is a stable internet connection and a quiet, well-lit space.

Meeting online offers flexibility and convenience, making it simpler to prioritize your well-being - no matter how busy life gets or where your travels take you. Many clients also find that connecting from a familiar space feels grounding and allows for more time to reflect before and after sessions.

Yes, depending on where you live and what the local laws are regarding mental healthcare and professional licensing. If you're outside of Germany and curious about working together, feel free to reach out and we can look into what’s possible.

Yes and no. While I’m a licensed psychotherapist (LCSW) in the United States, my services in Germany are offered under the title psychologische Beraterin (psychological counselor).

In Germany, the title Psychotherapeut (psychotherapist) is legally protected and can only be used by professionals who meet specific requirements set by the German healthcare system. Because of these regulations, foreign-trained clinicians—especially those educated in fields other than psychology—aren’t typically eligible to use the title of “psychotherapist” here.

My academic background is in clinical social work, one of the core mental health professions in the U.S.. I chose clinical social work because of its strong focus on social justice, advocacy, and a holistic approach to mental health—one that considers the person within their environment, not apart from it.

While I’m not part of the German medical system, my work is rooted in U.S. clinical training and trauma-informed care. Using the title of “counselor” allows me to be transparent and respectful of local laws while continuing to offer high-quality, values-driven, mental health support in English to the international community.

(Note: I use the American English spelling “counseling.” In British English, it’s spelled “counselling.” Both mean the same thing.)