Lee Start, LICSW, LADC (they/them)
Y
ou are worthy of love and care exactly where you are, deserving of support and safety in your life journey, even if you’re not sure what that might look like. I wager you have survived a lot of things in your life doing the best you could, and that matters! You might also be interested in moving away from mere survival into something different. We often learn to distrust ourselves, our emotions, and intuition, and I would love to support you in exploring what increased safety and connection in yourself, in relationships, and in the world can look and feel like.
Often what can feel comforting about past, unhelpful patterns is the confidence in “knowing”, and feeling “in control”. These default patterns have helped us survive past things, and continue showing up, often without our awareness they exist, or the impact they have. Whether based in deeply held beliefs, or enforced in our environments of origin, these are parts of ourselves that also deserve love and care, and together we can explore new ways of letting them know they no longer need to be in the driver’s seat for you to be safe.
I went back to school later in life, after navigating my own process of deconstruction, and identity exploration. Social work was the path I chose due to feeling in line with the it’s ethical principles and values including challenging social injustice, the importance of relationships/community, respecting the dignity and worth of all people and meeting folks where they’re at. I always strive to meet folks where they’re at and create an environment of openness, safety and growth.
As a dually Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, I work from a non-judgmental and harm reduction lens rooted in intersectional feminism, abolition, and anti-capitalism. I believe that I have a great mix of lived experience, active listening skills, attunement, and awareness that I do not know everything, and that neither of us have to. Growth, change, and healing can feel both scary and freeing, and your authentic and grounded self deserves to explore what it’s like to be in the driver’s seat of your own progress and journey. We can address ingrained “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” mentalities, and explore what a life worth living can be like, despite living under systems that harm us all.
I continue to explore advanced trauma and somatic training based in what I notice is helpful for the clients I support. The therapeutic modalities I find valuable and use in my work include Somatic Experiencing, AIR Network, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), and others. I am certified in AIR Network for complex PTSD and dissociation, and am a current student with Somatic Experiencing International’s professional training program.
My expertise is in supporting folks of all identities in navigating religious trauma, spiritual abuse, deconstruction, and reclamation, as well as specialization at the intersection of religious trauma and LGBTQIA+ identity. I also have a long history of supporting folks in exploring gender, sexuality, and identity and love this work. There is always more to learn about ourselves, who we are in the world, what our needs are for ourselves, our relationships, and what brings us joy.
I have worked with many folks with a wide variety of presenting issues, and in different environments including domestic and sexual violence, harm reduction, CTSS, ARHMS, supervised visitation, and doing outpatient work with the LGBTQIA+ communities and folks living with HIV. Sessions can include both depth-oriented long term work, and support in day to day events.
I am also just a person like you! I enjoy things like riding my bicycle, creative projects, being near water, art, music and looking at clouds. I’ve got a pretty good sense of humor, and this can be part of our sessions if that is a type of communication you appreciate.
You are the expert of your own experience and deserve a therapeutic relationship that is safe and judgement-free in which to pursue your goals, discover your strengths, and work through the tough stuff, while feeling supported and empowered. My approach is tailored to each individual’s wants, needs, and comfort.
Please reach out with any questions or to schedule a free 25 minute consultation.
