Advocacy That Starts With Listening
Below you will find…
Community-level services (e.g., supervision, training, agency/program consultation)
Individual-level services (e.g., traditional emotional, cognitive (thought-based) and behavioral therapy; and non-traditional life coaching with a person-first, neuro-affirming framework
I believe meaningful change begins when every voice is heard, accepted, and respected. That’s why my dream is a community where each person is able to identify, understand, and reduce the implications of trauma in themselves and in their community. I acknowledge the ever-existing differences in experiences which influence the financial wellness of those in need of emotional support - I am also impacted by the influences of government and economic instability on weekly budgets. For that reason, I must acknowledge that I do make my life-sustaining money by working for a traditional agency that accepts commercial insurance, has physical buildings with many staff and administrators, and therefore has “overhead;” and so, that company also holds billing policies which sustain those vast needs outside our session. If you have commercial insurance with a low co-pay and you feel confident that you can follow a traditional attendance and billing policy, please feel free to Google me and check out that agency! If you see other therapists or services there which feel like a better fit to you, I’m happy to have linked you! If your financial situation does not include commercial insurance (e.g., through your employer or through Pennie), I am happy to work with you out-of-pocket. If my fees feel unreasonable to you at this time, please reach out and we can discuss a way to work something out. I also understand that remote-only services are inaccessible to many people and for this, I do apologize. As an immunocompromised person, I take advantage of the privilege and opportunity to work from home and at this time, my health is not able to sustain in-person services.
Please be aware, any services, organization, or resources named here are in no way endorsing my work; and, I cannot say that I endorse or agree with all of the beliefs put for by those named here or referenced. We are all individuals and must be treated as such, and I am attempting to ensure to cast a wide net for any who may arrive here looking for trauma-informed care.
As I am obligated to a contract of 30 hours per week for survival income, please understand that my passion hours are currently limited. I will always do my best to accommodate your needs, but I may have a long wait if your schedule is similarly inflexible. Trainings must be scheduled at least 6 weeks in advance, except in circumstances of acute crisis due to a new/atypical team experience, with respect for the need to cancel/reschedule appointments for existing clients, which will cause a disruption in the routines we all rely upon for wellness and stability.One of the beautiful flowers (I don’t know the type) that pops out early in spring from the bush in front of my sanctuary - Kittehmiao (2022)
Photo of a perfectly imperfect gift from my more-than-a-sister, reminding you why we’re all here - Kittehmiao (2025)
Clinical Supervision - remote (PA - LCSW)
I have a strong passion for effective and harm reducing administration, facilitation, and provision of social and behavioral health services. I believe such services depend upon adopting a framework which integrates principles of Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression, Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, Person-Centered services, and Dialectics. In 2013 I co-founded the Pittsburgh organization Proud Haven with the intention of building community-based shelter and housing options for LGBTQIA+ youth, without reliance on federal funding. Serving several years on the board of directors, I cultivated many relationships which drove adapting my vision toward not only LGBTQIA+ affirming services, but Anti-Racist/Anti-Oppressive frameworks as well. After 9 years of community-based social services and therapeutic practice, I shifted toward private therapeutic practice and consultation in trauma-informed program development in January 2024 and achieved my LCSW in January 2025. I maintain certifications in neuro-affirming, trauma-informed, and integrative nutritional therapies to facilitate a unique, individual, person-focused and affirming approach with each person I serve; and I maintain a dedicated study of current approaches to liberation psychology and decolonizing social work and therapeutic practice. Trainings can be adapted to program/service-specific areas (e.g., trauma-informed budgeting, harm reduction with clutter behaviors in shelter spaces). I am very excited to bring this experience I’ve gained over my time in the field to support you in navigating difficult conversations to ensure you support your clients’ needs while taking care of yourself effectively as you develop your own practice ethics.
Acknowledging the need to continue working within systems of oppression as we strive to end the need for our profession, please be prepared for discussions of least-harmful impact with acceptance that the law is not always just and that traditional care options often place people seeking social service supports in positions of greater vulnerability. For many populations, we must find ways to work within our legal requirements while ensuring the physical and emotional safety of our clients and community members.
I will never charge you more than half of what you make in an hour for supervision, I appreciate you accepting this offer with good faith and honesty. Group supervision will become available when 10 inquiries have been received.
Photo of a consultation of McKeesport Mallards, with, of course, the errant goose or two - Kittehmiao (2021)
Consultation
Virtual Casework Support Consulting (1-1 or small team):
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (client-focused) Harm Reduction with destabilizing behaviors
Trauma-Informed Care with diverse populations
Trauma-Informed Budgeting Addressing hoarding behaviors in non-clinical housing settings Rapport-building with neuro-divergent clients in non-clinical settings
Rate: $100/hr (negotiable)*
*Agency consultations are completed on scale with consideration of the agency’s operating budget and client reach with a focus on equitable financing
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Virtual Social Administration Consulting with a focus on intersections of trauma-informed care, anti-racist practices, anti-oppressive practices, improving social determinants of physical and behavioral health:
Program Development
Grant writing
Capacity building (RFP, foundation requests)
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (micro and mezzo) innovations
Adaptation of organizational documents to reflect DE&I accommodation
Rate: $100/hr (negotiable)*
*Agency consultations are completed on scale with consideration of the agency’s operating budget and client reach with a focus on equitable financing
Photo of sprouts training to become incredible vegetables some day - Kittehmiao (2023)
Training Series
Virtual Staff Development Training:
Basics of Trauma-Informed Care (3 hours) 20 participants max - $400*
Anti-Oppression, Anti-Racism, Harm Reduction and Trauma-Informed Care (5 hours) 20 participants max - $650*
Trauma-Informed Motivational Interviewing (6 hours) 20 participants max - $800*
TI-program application vignettes can be created for an additional fee
Addressing Hoarding and other Destablizing Behaviors in Non-Clinical Settings (6 hours) 20 participants max - $800*
*Agency trainings are completed on scale with consideration of the agency’s operating budget and client reach with a focus on equitable financing
Individual Services
(services will only be offered remotely)
Pumpkins carved by Team RedKitten - Kittehmiao (Halloween 2025)
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1-hour sessions with a traditional behavioral and therapeutic framework (e.g., CBT, talk therapy) can be scheduled on a sliding-scale basis. Please note - intake appointments will be scheduled for a total of 2 hours (120 minutes) to incorporate explanation of services, service-related Q&A, intake questionnaire to gain an understanding of what is important to you in this treatment, and goal-related questions to develop a treatment plan. This intake appointment can be broken into multiple appointments for budgetary or other accommodation purposes.
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Individualized life coaching with a non-traditional therapeutic framework to support your needs as a neurodiverse person with unique experiences. Special interests, “pebble sharing,” body doubling, sensory aids, and non-verbal communication are welcome!
Please note - intake appointments will be scheduled for a total of 2 hours (120 minutes) to incorporate explanation of services, service-related Q&A, intake questionnaire to gain an understanding of what is important to you in this coaching work, and goal-related questions to develop a plan for change. This intake appointment can be broken into multiple appointments for budgetary or other accommodation purposes.
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Individualized, ARFID-informed nutritional coaching with a non-traditional therapeutic framework that respects your eating and feeding needs, especially when emotional barriers come into play. “Safe foods,” chew toys/sensory aids, and non-verbal communication are welcome!
Please note - intake appointments will be scheduled for a total of 2 hours (120 minutes) to incorporate explanation of services, service-related Q&A, intake questionnaire to gain an understanding of what is important to you in this coaching work, and goal-related questions to develop a plan for change. This intake appointment can be broken into multiple appointments for budgetary or other accommodation purposes.
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Emotional and executive processing support in decision making to determine what you need, what you want, what your priorities are, and what and you you want to let things go. We can also move into organizing if you want to!
Please note - intake appointments will be scheduled for a total of 2 hours (120 minutes) to incorporate explanation of services, service-related Q&A, intake questionnaire to gain an understanding of what is important to you in this coaching work, and goal-related questions to develop a plan for change. This intake appointment can be broken into multiple appointments for budgetary or other accommodation purposes. The “plan” that we develop can be the completion of services if you feel motivated to work without me!
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I'm only here to help, not to shame you. We all learn how to make and spend our money, and most of us learn by doing while we're making survival decisions we are not ready for. Let's be a team in understanding how you prioritize your needs, what drives you (fuels you when you have you), what motivates you (drives you to keep going when you don't have to), and what excites you to bridge the gap of the “I-don't-wanna's.” What's important to you, is important to me.
Please note - intake appointments will be scheduled for a total of 2 hours (120 minutes) to incorporate explanation of services, service-related Q&A, intake questionnaire to gain an understanding of what is important to you in this coaching work, and goal-related questions to develop a plan for change. This intake appointment can be broken into multiple appointments for budgetary or other accommodation purposes.
Ready To Make A Step Toward Change?
Send me a quick note and let’s take the first one!
Photo of a cat so chill he’s dubbed “Matthew McConauCat,” grabbing the only sunbeam around - Kittehmiao (2021)