Meet Angelique
She/They
Welcome, beautiful human!
If you’re tired of putting on a brave "I'm fine" face in the midst of navigating the wonkiness of life- I got you. It's exhausting being the one that has to keep it all together. You don't have to do that with me. I invite you to bring your whole authentic wonderful messy self into sessions. My approach to therapy is grounded in social work values- respecting a person’s inherent dignity and worth and anchored in social justice (anti-oppression, anti-racism, queer and intersectional feminist theory, fat liberation, disability justice). As a white, fat, neurodiverse, queer, cis-gender woman that came to know many facets of who I am late-in-life and through a lot of unlearning (& learning), I am truly reverent of what can happen in therapeutic space. I am honored to be invited in to work with you.
The most important dynamic is the therapeutic relationship. I am committed to empowering you, creating a safe affirming collaborative relationship and sharing tools with you so that you may be better resourced out in the world- but YOU are the expert of your life. I am merely a facilitator. That said, it is often hard to see clearly from inside the eye of the storm. My hope is to reflect back what you share with me in sessions, so that you may gain insight and see clearly the path meant for you. I also bring my years of bodywork training into the room. Getting folks out of their heads and into their bodies can open up access to vital wisdom that is often missed when counting on insight from the spinning hamster wheel between our ears alone. My therapy style is centered in body-based and emotion-focused therapies, often utilizing TTT (Trauma Touch Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) along with employing mindfulness, grounding techniques and VST (Vibrational Sound Therapy).
In the therapy room:
Working with folks through life transitions, trauma, grief/loss; affirming LGBTQIA+ community(especially attuned to folks coming out late in life), ADHD/neurodiverse humans and creating a fat positive/anti-diet space.
My specialty areas include:
My training:
Started 18 yrs ago when I began my bodywork practice as a licensed massage therapist. Being Present, creating an "ALL bodies are GOOD bodies" affirming space, honoring agency and trusting in a person's innate capacity to heal very naturally extends to my work as a therapist, as well. It’s all connected after all.
I am EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) trained, a Certified Trauma Touch Therapist and a Vibrational Sound Therapy Certified Practitioner.
I completed the Master of Social Work program at Wayne State University where I also received my Bachelor of Social Work.
Prior to my experience at BHG, I completed an internship with a non-profit called Six Feet Over, providing suicide outreach/prevention & post-intervention supports for folks who have lost someone to suicide. My experience there profoundly impacted my understanding of mental health, trauma and complicated grief.
I can often be found soaking up connection with my favorite people -my kids, partner, family (Hi Mom) & friends. I am an avid reader. I have quite a “tsundoku” practice. I will never have time to read all the books!
When I am not reading, you can find me creating art as meditation; everything from pointillism to large-scale fingerpainting. Play is restorative!
My happy place is in the woods surrounded by big mama trees.