Hello, I'm Felix
We start with the experience of inherent worthiness and, as life progresses, different parts of us are handed burdens, like grafting a new branch onto an existing tree. As the tree grows, so does the grafted branch. As people grow, so do their burdens. The goal is not to hate, scold, or remove the grafted branch, and instead regard it as a source of wisdom and insight. It is both possible and beneficial to learn how to embrace and befriend our burdens and our suffering. Radical shifts happen when people are able to name that conflict is not the enemy, unpleasant emotions are not the enemy, and mistakes are not the enemy. Once we stop treating parts of ourselves as the enemy, suddenly the world is full of possibility.
A bit about my work
I am passionate about working with LGBTQIA+ clients, folks with personality disorders (& their loved ones), neurodivergent clients, folks with chronic pain/illness, and people who have experienced trauma. I currently work with individuals - adults and adolescents ages 16 and older. I also offer mindfulness and DBT skills workshops for groups in corporate and nonprofit settings.
Utilizing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS), I teach clients how to recognize their inherent wisdom and see difficult emotions as messengers rather than adversaries. I incorporate philosophy aligned with radical acceptance and nonjudgment, while also offering a wide variety of tangible skills to use in everyday life. DBT and IFS are also things I actively carry in my own toolbox as a fellow human. I believe in the modalities I practice, such as using mindful self-attunement, adopting a curious mind, and exercising a non-judgemental stance.
Clients describe me as kind, insightful, adaptive, and creative. I often receive feedback that I help clients understand the relationship between systems of oppression and challenging mental health outcomes. This results in a deeper understanding of interdependence, a platform for self-validation, and also a greater sense of community. I offer a unique, personally-informed approach to my work with clients and show up as a real person. I often hear feedback from clients that they never feel like they’re doing therapy wrong.
More about me
I graduated from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work in 2014 with a Masters in Social Work. Before that I graduated with a Bachelors in Social Work and BA in Religious Studies in 2012 from East Carolina University. I also became a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT200) in 2015 and have taught classes and private lessons since.
I spent the first eight years of my career in the nonprofit world and found myself drifting into more and more clinical work. I had the pleasure and honor of working with two clinical studies on mindfulness at UNC-Chapel Hill. Throughout my career I have taught lectures, workshops, and seminars on topics ranging from mindfulness to LGBTQIA+ finance to the function of emotions.
I began my career as an LCSWA in March of 2023 and have joyfully practiced as an outpatient therapist ever since. I come to this labor as a professional, a scholar, and a pro-intersectional social worker. I also arrived here by way of solidarity as a seasoned client, myself.
About Me as a Person
I live in Durham with my spouse and four cats. I enjoy spending time with my truly wonderful family, painting (watercolor, gouache, and acrylic), singing and playing ukulele, playing video games, cooking, using my imagination, and going on adventures.
I have become skilled at crafting truly decadent overnight oats.
I grew up in Apex, North Carolina and spent much of my childhood being taught the art of ceramics by my wonderful grandparents in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Contact
Feel free to reach out and see if we are a good fit!
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919-229-9001