Meet August: LGBTQ+ Therapist With a Global Perspective

Non Binary therapist with short, curly gray hair and glasses, sitting on a beige sofa, wearing a dark blue sweater over a yellow shirt, brown pants, and white sneakers, with tattoos on her arm and wearing bracelets.

I grew up in New York (people usually guess this) and have called California, Southeast Asia, Missouri, and many other places home. This and spending months at a time in different corners of the world shaped how I understand people and our shared humanity. Living in communities that weren’t predominantly white fostered a strong social justice lens that runs through all of my work.

I’ve been out as queer since the 80s, and today I identify as gay and non-binary (they/them). I’m the parent of twin young adults, second-generation Ashkenazi Jewish (non-practicing) and anti-zionist, and part of a multiracial family.

Before becoming a therapist, I spent 20 years as a photographer, moving between war zones, refugee camps, celebrity homes, and CEO offices. I witnessed deep grief, trauma, joy, and transformation. Everywhere, I saw the same truth: people long to be seen and understood.

Eventually, I wanted to do more than witness—that brought me to therapy.

Two decades of Buddhist practice have grounded me in presence, compassion, and the reminder that life is impermanent, worth showing up for —not in spite of this, but because of this, even in its hardest moments.

Things that bring me joy outside of work are in no particular order:

Coffee / My Dog / My Family / Traveling places I don't speak the language / Dance / New York City / Did I mention coffee? / Poetry / Andrea Gibson / Good Music / Laughing With Friends

Degrees

BA in Fine Art / State U of NY at Albany

MA in existential phenomenological therapy /Seattle University

Trainings and certificates

  • Leval 1 IFS (in progress)

  • EFT-emotionally focused couples therapy externship

  • IFTIO- intimacy from the inside out IFS couples therapy course one

  • Buddhist Psychology- Spirit Rock

  • Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion-LA insight

  • Nonviolent Communication-Oren J. Sofer

  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction-NY insight

  • Organic intelligence- level 1 -(an offshoot of somatic experiencing)