Actually Inclusive Therapy
As a proud (and loud) queer, Mexican, neurodivergent, polyamorous, and plus sized person, I know exactly how it feels to be left out. Despite it’s progress, therapy as a discipline isn’t much better at inclusion than the rest of the world. It literally exists as a testament to white, cis, hetero men’s ability to center themselves.
My hope as a therapist is that I can create a space for those often excluded and disregarded to find healing and empowerment. I truly believe that the most profound growth doesn’t happen because of the fanciest techniques or modalities, it happens in community. I hope that our work together can be the start of that community for you.
Mickey Atkins, LCSW
Individual Psychotherapy
My bread and butter as a clinician is individual, client centered therapy because while it may be a cliche, I truly trust my clients as the experts in their own lives. During our work together I’ll ask you to walk me through the story of your life and how that’s affecting you right now so that we can collaboratively deepen your understanding of where you’re at and where we go from here.
Advocacy & Education
Healthy boundaries and transparency are integral to successful therapeutic relationships so while my work as a public advocate for mental health isn’t a part of my therapy practice or affiliated with Ocotillo Behavioral Health, it’s something I feel strongly my clients be aware of. In my personal time I create content online with the goal to educate folks about mental health and to dispel myths about therapy.
The unfortunate truth is that fact-based education about mental health is often unavailable to folks who can’t afford a therapist of their own, and as a social worker, I disagree with that. Sharing real life applications of therapeutic principles, demystifying often misunderstood psychological concepts, and sharing resources for folks to continue their personal growth are all central pillars of the content I create on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. That said, there is a key distinction between educational content about therapy and therapy itself.
If you have questions or concerns about my online presence please feel free to bring them up with me in your consultation!