Liberty Deffenbaugh

Hello! My name is Liberty, licensed counselor and owner of Fur and Feather Counseling. I specialize in unique and marginalized populations such as LGBTQIA+, consensual and ethical non-monogamy/polyamory, alternative lifestyles such as BDSM and Leather, as well mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, with a trauma and sex therapy focus using an eclectic approach with various modalities, woo and neuroscience. Basically, I provide kick ass therapy to real people who have been through some things and want to do the healing work. I talk the talk and walk the walk for people to show up as their full selves in therapy with me. As far as modalities, I am trained in SO MANY but especially enjoy existential and internal family systems parts work with mindful practices, as they create a holistic view of the person paired with an understanding of the wider world. Their flexibility to be paired with one another makes them great puzzle pieces for aiding in better health and wellness. We are dynamic beings with ever evolving experiences, so we should be treated as such. In session, I focus on your whole self, where you’ve come from, the path you’ve taken and continue to travel. We discuss mental, sexual and physical health in addition to your emotional health. Initially, therapy with me is initially led by you, with a lot of talking and getting to know your ins and outs as you know yourself much better than I do in the first hour of our meeting. In time, I will offer observations that aren’t always comfortable but intended to help our work together. There will be puns involved, so prepare to lower your walls and really reconnect with yourself in our sessions. This is your time and I cannot be doing more work than you are, so be prepared to have uncomfortable conversations with yourself in and outside of session! Sessions with me are telehealth, but please be in a solo, quiet and confidential space so we can speak freely and do the work. Furry loved ones are always welcome and I usually have at least one of my dogs during our sessions. My sessions are very safe spaces where you can be your full authentic self and get into some less than happy topics. I view my role in therapy as a shepherding cheerleader, celebrating your wins and supporting your harder moments, finding that therapeutic relationships work best when people can be their authentic self, especially if there’s ugly crying involved. I am incredibly passionate about my work and my clients! A little more about me as an individual: I believe in showing up as my full authentic self, including the successes and challenges that impact me. Bear with me as I am still developing the ways in which I carry with me many identities. I am a learner, a helper and an empath. I am a neurodivergent, gothy and nerdy married, pansexual, polyamorous wild moon child who struggles with the confines of boxes that we are asked to put ourselves into. I walk through the world as a white woman, was raised multi-culturally in Maryland and the Caribbean. These were quite contrasting spaces, but it gave me tremendous experiences in dual worlds and I carry the beauty of both spaces in my heart. I have spiritual practices that incorporate world religions and existential outlooks, finding peace in the perfect imperfection in nature and beauty in shared experiences. When it comes to the populations that I specialize in, I don't just talk the talk, I walk the walk. I honor Leather traditions and maintain beautiful power dynamic relationships in a kitchen table polyamorous household, full of love and dogs. I am a survivor of trauma including domestic violence and sexual assault, being diagnosed with complex PTSD, ADHD, depression and anxiety, which I actively work on in my own therapy and healing practices. I say this to hold space that you're not alone and you CAN heal! My personal outlook is greatly informed of my contrasting and at times polarizing lived experiences, but I truly believe that anyone can be and overcome anything. I can be sarcastic, direct, and quite hilarious, but I am also just as human as anyone with the fear and doubt that can accompany that. People have their own lenses, but I view myself as part of a whole in this big Universe of ours, perfectly imperfect and finding the lines between balance and reflection. My rates: Initial Consultation: Free Individual Intake Session: $180 Individual Therapy (50 minute session): $160 Relationship Counseling Intake: $250 Relationship Counseling (50 minute session): $200 Other services including coaching and education available as well. Email me for a full updated list! I am credentialed with BCBS and Aetna. Relationship/Couples Counseling services are strictly self pay. If I am out of network, I can provide a Superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.