Manny Kemphues

Manny Kemphues

Pronouns: they, them, theirs
Contributions: Author
Identities: queer, pansexual, nonbinary, genderfluid, non-monogamous
Language(s) Spoken: English
Phone: 720-709-9070
Address: 2717 S. Robertson Blvd
Website: www.relationalcenter.org
Supervised By (if not licensed): Penny Timmons & Jami Winkel


Get to know me:

My background is in sexual assault crisis counseling and sexual assault prevention through education and supporting youth organizing. I chose to become a therapist because I wanted to be able to do deeper healing work with people through a longer-term therapeutic relationship. I love what I do.

What does affirmative psychotherapy mean to me?

Affirmative psychotherapy means respecting and valuing all of my client’s intersecting identities. Being an affirmative therapist means going beyond acceptance and tolerance to instead cherish difference and diversity. As an affirmative psychotherapist, I center my clients as the experts of their own identity and experience and never try to put them in a box that doesn’t fit. I affirm each client’s ability to define themselves for themselves, and affirm their rights to take up space and be a creative force in the world.

For me, part of being an affirmative therapist is actively working for liberation from oppressive forces. I do this in the therapy room with my clients by challenging transphobic, racist, ableist etc. stories that they might have internalized and by paying attention to the environmental conditions that might be shaping a mental health issue. I do work toward our collective liberation outside the therapy room through community organizing and speaking up against oppression in my daily life.

What populations do I work with? What is my level of expertise (friendly, knowledgeable, expert) for each of those populations?

I am an expert in working with LGBTQA survivors of sexual assault. I am knowledgeable in working with trans women, trans men, many identities under the nonbinary and third gender umbrella, lesbian women, gay men, bisexual people, pansexual people, and asexual people. I am knowledgeable about kink, BDSM, sex work, non-monogamy & polyamory. I am friendly and working toward becoming more knowledgeable about working with intersex and aromantic people.

What is my approach to healing?

My approach to healing is playful, collaborative, and transparent. I work holistically to connect mind, body, & emotions in relationship with your social and environmental context. I work with you to identify parts of yourself that you have cut off or pushed aside due to a lack of support. Through the therapeutic process we can re-integrate those parts in order for you to experience a sense of wholeness.

I honor that even the the habits and behaviors that you want to change were at one time a creative adaptation to your circumstances. This is one part of practicing self-compassion. Don’t worry, though, self compassion doesn’t mean staying stuck in patterns that are hurting you. Together, we can work to develop more flexible chosen responses to your current life challenges instead of automatically repeating the hard-wired patterns that helped you survive childhood.
I believe in sex positivity, health at every size, and interdependence.

What issues am I most skilled at addressing as a mental health professional?

Trauma—especially sexual trauma, identity exploration, self-compassion, harm-reduction, sex and sexuality, grief, feeling fragmented.

EDUCATION & LICENSES

Education: MA in Clinical Psychology, Specialization in Applied Community Psychology
Years in Practice: 2
School: Antioch University Los Angeles
Year Graduated: 2017
License # and State: MFTa 107015 California

OFFICE INFORMATION

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Gender Neutral Restrooms: Yes

FINANCES

Fee Range: $75-$125 per session
Accepted Payment Methods: card, cash, check made out to The Relational Center
Accepted Insurance Plans: None