My name is Kevin and I am a recent Los Angeles native who just moved to Michigan with my family in summer of 2024.
Like many, my journey to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker started out on “the other side of the couch” and over the years became a clear calling for me. Prior to joining the practice I worked at a Psychiatric Hospital, primarily working with mental health and substance use issues at inpatient and outpatient levels of care. In my time there I worked with the beautifully diverse populations of Los Angeles and am confident in my ability to meet anyone I work with where they are at and with who they are without judgment.
My approach to therapy is largely informal and casual. I have a humanistic foundation and love to weave history, cultural anthropology, philosophy, science, the arts, and fun/play into my work to help provide context and increased understanding of our struggles and goals; while never forgetting we are humans with human needs such as love, acceptance, community, and play. I often joke/have been told that I am a mashup of Robin Williams, George Carlin, James Baldwin, and Rafiki from the Lion King.
In approaching my clients I like to include the “mind, body, spirit” holistic perspective to our whole selves and the interactions of these parts of us, while incorporating a look at our environments as well. Much of the emotions we feel are also external or brought on by external stresses or forces. I find this vital to my therapy as it is inaccurate to blame only ourselves for our problems without looking at the influence the outside world has on us, and ways we can protect ourselves, stay true to ourselves, fight for progress, and create meaning, purpose, and connection in our lives.