Jack Marvin, LCSW

Feeling overwhelmed, unheard, or disconnected from your authentic self? I am glad you’re here! Drawing from my own lived experience as queer and trans, I have a personal understanding of the unique challenges and strengths within our experiences. I also recognize that this uncertain world, relationship complexities, our individual constellations of identity, and the impact of trauma can feel isolating and distressing. If you're seeking a therapist who values your story, the impact of social and systemic forces on your life, and supporting you in connecting more deeply with yourself and others, I look forward to working together. My Approach: I believe that you hold the inherent wisdom and answers within yourself, and my approach begins by honoring and deeply respecting that expertise. Together, we'll work to uncover your innate wisdom. Crucially, my approach to therapy is also firmly rooted in the awareness that many of the challenges we face are shaped by the - often oppressive - societal and political systems we live in relationship to. Over time and through patiently-built trust, together, we'll explore how these outside forces may have shaped your experiences. We'll pay close attention to the stories you tell yourself, often shaped by the world around you, and gently unravel those that no longer serve your growth. We’ll look inward at all the different parts of you – the thoughts, feelings, and internal conversations that sometimes lead us away from our truest values. This way of working is often called Internal Family Systems (IFS), and it's a model that invites us to understand and connect to these parts of ourselves with compassion, fostering greater inner harmony and self-acceptance. We'll also use practical tools and insights from different therapeutic approaches, including those focused on thoughts and feelings (CBT), more effective navigation of emotions (DBT), present moment awareness (mindfulness), amongst others. I became a therapist because I believe in the power of supportive relationships to foster growth and healing; healing happens within relationships, because the harm happened there first. My goal is to work with you to build safety and trust in a relational space where you feel seen, heard, and understood. Whatever you're facing, however overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, or hopeless you might feel right now, I am holding abundant hope that you will begin to experience greater ease in your life and relief from the pain you’re carrying. Allow me to walk alongside you in your journey; it would be a great privilege. Areas of Specialization: Healing from Trauma (PTSD): Traumatic experiences can distort your perception and self-trust. I provide a safe space and evidence-based strategies to reprocess and integrate these experiences, empowering you to find peace and rebuild trust in yourself. Understanding and Reducing Dissociative Experiences: If you experience feeling disconnected from yourself or your surroundings, I offer experienced support to understand and manage dissociative symptoms, helping you feel more grounded and in control. Affirming Gender Identity: The experience of gender, especially for gender-expansive, gender questioning, non-binary, and trans individuals is complex! Socio-political and relational forces most often serve to complicate the experience, further. As a Transfemme human myself, I aim to offer an empathetic and affirming environment to explore your authentic self, fostering self-love and gender euphoria. Affirming Neurodiversity: Identifying as neurodivergent, it come naturally to me to celebrate the unique strengths and challenges of neurodivergent individuals (autism, ADHD, and others) and offer affirming support to foster self-acceptance and navigate a world built for neurotypical folks. Navigating Loss & Grief: Despite popular belief, grief isn't limited to death; it encompasses all significant losses. I offer a validating space to process these experiences and find your way forward. Supporting Polyamory & Ethical Non-Monogamy: I provide a non-judgmental space for individuals and families in diverse relationship structures to address communication challenges, navigate societal stigma, and cultivate healthy, ethical connections.