Kay Pickering Affirmative Therapy

I have been working as a therapist with Queer and Trans youth and young adults in the Bay Area since 2021. I currently offer individual therapy and gender affirming care support letter writing services. I specialize in treating young adults who hold or are exploring queer, trans, and neurodivergent identities. Identities I hold include being Queer, Agender, White, and AuDHD. When not working, I can be found hanging out with my 2 cats in the sun, watching D20, or camping with my loved ones! My special interests include needle felting and fiber crafts and psychology/neurodiversity. In the therapy room, I have been described as warm, curious, and supportive. I meet clients with curiosity and collaboration; I believe you are the expert in your own story and I am here as a support and guide to help you grow and achieve your goals. I utilize a narrative framework to gain a deep understanding of your unique journey and the stories that have formed along the way. I bring knowledge about neuro-, gender-, sexuality-, and relational- diversity to support you in exploring your identities and embracing your authentic self. I couple this exploration with teaching skills such as mindfulness, harm reduction, thought challenging, and radical acceptance to help you cope with life stressors, trauma, and other challenges. MY COUNSELING SERVICES MAY BE A GOOD MATCH IF YOU: -Are having trouble conforming to or functioning within heteronormative or neurotypical expectations at work, school, or relationships -Are seeking a safe and accepting space to explore aspects of your gender, sexuality, or relationship style -Feel like something is “different” about you, without fully understanding what that is yet -Are seeking affirmation of or support for your gender, sexuality, or self-identified neurodivergence -Have ADHD or Autism and want support understanding your neurotype and support needs -Need support in building executive functioning and independent living skills THE WORK I DO WITH CLIENTS OFTEN INCLUDES: -Revisiting old narratives with a new compassionate lens -Unlearning internalized messages of homo-/transphobia, ableism, grind culture, and more -Deconstructing masking and increasing space for authentic expression and genuine connection to self -Coping with ongoing grief related to neurodivergence and chronic health issues -Building self-compassion and acceptance -Mapping of sensory experiences & needs, meltdowns, and communication patterns -Proactive crisis and wellness planning -Problem-solving conflicting needs in neurodiverse relationships -Building executive functioning and other life skills through strategies tailored to your unique neurotype -Connection to resources and social supports