It’s Time for You to Take Up Space.
Trauma informed, client centered, and actually inclusive therapy for when you’re done with “neutral” therapists and are ready to do the work with someone who gets you.
Mickey Atkins, LCSW
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.
Trauma Therapy
Trauma takes many forms and unfortunately it’s not always recognized as valid. You might be struggling with the impact of trauma for years before you’re able to put a name to it and that’s perfectly normal. Especially those of us that experience trauma in childhood can feel almost a sense of imposter syndrome because we’ve been raised to believe that hyper-vigilance, fear, and constant stress are just a normal part of life. I work with my clients to navigate both their traumas and the lasting impact it left on your life.
ADHD Therapy
Working with a therapist who doesn’t understand the nuance of neurodivergence can be frustrating and ineffective. You don’t need to be “fixed” and you definitely don’t need to do lists or yet another planner. Folks with ADHD need support that both honors their neurodiversity and addresses the challenges that come along with it. You want to feel affirmed in who you are- ADHD isn’t something you should be ashamed of- but you also want real, practical help with the issues it causes. Living with the stress, fear, and hypervigilance can be exhausting but the alternative can feel even worse. Finding yourself in a shame spiral when you forget a deadline or get trapped by task avoidance can swallow you whole. In our work together we’ll get you out of this loop not just by finding realistic solutions for the practical problems but by changing the way that you feel about your neurodivergency and yourself.
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!