My Therapist Is Out‪!‬ Open Space Therapy Collective

This week host Renae Johnson (they/them) and LA Queer Community Builder Erin Detroit-Vesey (they/she) dig into what it really means to build and be in community with your LGBTQ+ peers.
 
 In this episode we talk about:
Prioritizing principles over personality
How to find and evolve in community
The balance of asking for and providing help
When to say no to leadership roles
How AIDS Life Cycle has provided personal friendships and being of service to our bigger LGBTQ+ community
 
Join us as we dive into Erin’s story and the richness they have gained from building queer community over the past 15 years.
 
Guest Bio: 
Erin Detroit Vesey (they/she), originally from Utah and raised in Los Angeles, has spent 16 years dedicated to sobriety. For the past 7 years, they have actively participated in AIDS/Lifecycle, a testament to their commitment to supporting a cause close to their heart. Guided by these profound experiences, Erin deeply understands the transformative power of community. Fueled by a desire to contribute meaningfully, they strive to offer their service wherever it is needed.
 
To find Erin and donate to AIDS Life Cycle visit:
https://www.instagram.com/erindetroitvesey/
 
Host Bio: 
Renae Johnson (they/them) founded Open Space Therapy Collective (OSTC), a group practice and community hub that focuses on mental health for and by the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities and their allies.  
 
Renae is an art therapist who specializes in working with queer artists who are exploring their gender identity and recovering from complex trauma. Previous to founding OSTC, Renae spent a decade in community mental health services, providing therapy and as an Operations Director in organizations serving people experiencing complex co-occurring diagnoses. Prior to their career as a therapist, Renae was a working artist who worked in figurative painting and sculpture. 
 
Renae is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Board Certified Art Therapist
 
To find more from us visit:
https://www.openspacetherapycollective.com
https://www.instagram.com/openspacetherapycollective/
https://www.tiktok.com/@openspacetherapy
 
Content warning: addiction, homelessness
 
Discussed in this episode: AIDS LifeCycle, San Francisco AIDS Foundation,  LGBT Center

This week host Renae Johnson (they/them) and Open Space Therapy Collective therapist Kristen Crowe (they/she) explore how to understand your kink/BDSM desires and explore them in therapy.
 
 In this episode we discuss:
I am in a BDSM relationship and I tried to talk about it once with my therapist, but they said it reflected a deeper self esteem problem. Is there something wrong with me?
I have been interested in exploring BDSM but don’t know how to bring it up to my therapist. We haven’t talked about sexuality except “I’m dating so-and-so” and I don’t know if it’s appropriate to talk about actual sex. 
Will my therapist understand that I have a “play partner” outside my primary relationships, and we go to “play parties” and I don’t want to stop? 
Someone I’m dating is interested in exploring BDSM with me and I’m feeling a little nervous. If I’m nervous, what kind of support can I ask from my therapist? 
One thing I like about BDSM is that it feels dangerous, but I don’t want my therapist to think I’m practicing “risky behaviors” or tell me to stop. How do I ask for a safe space in general with my therapist? 
 Join us as we dive into the tantalizing curiosities of these sexual experiences and find ways to explore with safe partners and find an sex-positive therapist.
 
Therapist Bio: 
Kristen Crowe (she/they) is Licensed Therapist, Dance Therapist, and Clinical Supervisor with Open Space Therapy Collective. Kristen specializes in working somatically with adults, couples, and people in ENM relationships to help heal the mind-body connection so you can feel more grounded and vibrant every day.
 
Host Bio: 
Renae Johnson (they/them) founded Open Space Therapy Collective (OSTC), a group practice and community hub that focuses on mental health for and by the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities and their allies.  
 
Renae is an art therapist who specializes in working with queer artists who are exploring their gender identity and recovering from complex trauma. Previous to founding OSTC, Renae spent a decade in community mental health services, providing therapy and as an Operations Director in organizations serving people experiencing complex co-occurring diagnoses. Prior to their career as a therapist, Renae was a working artist who worked in figurative painting and sculpture. 
 
Renae is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Board Certified Art Therapist, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.  
 
To find more from us visit:
https://www.openspacetherapycollective.com
https://www.instagram.com/openspacetherapycollective
https://www.tiktok.com/@openspacetherapy

Content warning: This is episode discusses sexual desires and actions
 
Discussed in this episode: Gayish Podcast, Pleasure Palace, Reddit, AASECT

This week host Renae Johnson (they/them) and Open Space Therapy Collective therapist Jenny Nigro (they/them) explore the different tactics to protect your mental health when you are being misgendered.
 In this episode we answer:
What does being misgendered look/sound like?
If you feel comfortable sharing, can you talk a little about your personal journey with pronouns and why they matter? 
How does misgendering affect mental health?
How can you protect your mental health when being misgendered?
What are some ways you can respond to misgendering?
How should you correct yourself if you misgender someone unintentionally?
How can you advocate for someone when witnessing misgendering? 
 
 Join us as we dive into the serious and playful ways to correct misgendering and when sometimes blowing it off is the best way to protect your peace. 
 
Therapist Bio: 
Jenny Nigro ASW (they/them) is a therapist with Open Space Therapy Collective. Jenny specializes in working with adults and older adults who struggle to understand their identity and behaviors and desire to gain confidence and release shame from past experiences.
 
Host Bio: 
 
Renae Johnson (they/them) founded Open Space Therapy Collective (OSTC), a group practice and community hub that focuses on mental health for and by the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities and their allies.  
 
Renae is an art therapist who specializes in working with queer artists who are exploring their gender identity and recovering from complex trauma. Previous to founding OSTC, Renae spent a decade in community mental health services, providing therapy and as an Operations Director in organizations serving people experiencing complex co-occurring diagnoses. Prior to their career as a therapist, Renae was a working artist who worked in figurative painting and sculpture. 
 
Renae is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Board Certified Art Therapist, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.  
 
To find more from us visit:
https://www.openspacetherapycollective.com
https://www.instagram.com/openspacetherapycollective/
https://www.tiktok.com/@openspacetherapy
 
Content warning: n/a

Ep 35 How to Cope with Burnout with Terra Friedman (she/her)
This week host Renae Johnson (they/them) and Open Space Therapy therapist Terra Friedman (she/her) discuss the reality of what it feels like to be burned out and ways to cope.
 In this episode we answer:
What are the symptoms of burnout? How do you know if it’s happening to you?
Who is likely to experience exhaustion and burnout?
How can therapy help with burnout?
What types of tools or skills will help to deal with burnout?
Join us as we dive into the ways burnout can happen in our daily lives and strategies to help you decrease burnout symptoms and take care of yourself.
 
Therapist Bio: 
Terra Friedman (she/her) is an Associate Therapist with Open Space Therapy Collective. Terra specializes in working with high-achieving women who experience anxiety. Terra also works with couples and partners who are currently in or exploring non-monogamous relationships.
 
Host Bio: 
Renae Johnson (they/them) founded Open Space Therapy Collective (OSTC), a group practice and community hub that focuses on mental health for and by the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities and their allies.  
Renae is an art therapist who specializes in working with queer artists who are exploring their gender identity and recovering from complex trauma. Previous to founding OSTC, Renae spent a decade in community mental health services, providing therapy and as an Operations Director in organizations serving people experiencing complex co-occurring diagnoses. Prior to their career as a therapist, Renae was a working artist who worked in figurative painting and sculpture. 
Renae is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Board-Certified Art Therapist, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.  
 
To find more from us visit:
https://www.openspacetherapycollective.com/
https://www.instagram.com/openspacetherapycollective/
https://www.tiktok.com/@openspacetherapy

Ep 34 Why you need a poly-friendly therapist with Kristen Crowe LPCC, BC-DMT (they/she)
This week host Renae Johnson (they/them) and Open Space Therapy Collective Clinical Director Kristen Crowe (they/she) discuss the importance of having a therapist who is knowledgeable about polyamory, ethical non-monogamy, and open relationships.
 In this episode we answer:
What’s polyamory and what different forms or arrangements does it come in? Who decides to do polyamory and why? Is poly something that only queer people do?
When might polyamory come up in therapy? 
How can therapists help with understanding poly identities and poly relationships?
How shame can show up in the therapy room
How to identify if your therapist can support you in all of your relationships
Join us as we dive into the complexities of these relationship experiences and find ways to grow your poly/ENM relationships in the way that is most fulfilling for you.
Therapist Bio: 
 
Kristen Crowe (she/they) is a Licensed Therapist, Dance Therapist, and Clinical Supervisor with Open Space Therapy Collective. Kristen specializes in working somatically with adults, couples, and people in ENM relationships to help heal the mind-body connection so you can feel more grounded and vibrant every day.
 
Host Bio: 
 
Renae Johnson (they/them) founded Open Space Therapy Collective (OSTC), a group practice and community hub that focuses on mental health for and by the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities and their allies.  
 
Renae is an art therapist who specializes in working with queer artists who are exploring their gender identity and recovering from complex trauma. Previous to founding OSTC, Renae spent a decade in community mental health services, providing therapy and as an Operations Director in organizations serving people experiencing complex co-occurring diagnoses. Prior to their career as a therapist, Renae was a working artist who worked in figurative painting and sculpture. 
 
Renae is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Board-Certified Art Therapist, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.  
 
To find more from us visit:
https://www.openspacetherapycollective.com/meet-debbie
https://www.instagram.com/openspacetherapycollective/
https://www.tiktok.com/@openspacetherapy
https://www.tiktok.com/@mytherapistisout
https://www.instagram.com/mytherapistisout
 
Content warning: n/a
Discussed in this episode: Polysecure, Polywise, Field App

My Therapist is Out! Podcast - Ep 33 What is intergenerational trauma? with Jenny Nigro ASW (they/them)This week host Renae Johnson (they/them) and Open Space Therapy Collective therapist Jenny Nigro (they/them) discuss what intergenerational trauma is and how it shows up in our lives.
 
 In this episode we answer:
What is intergenerational trauma and why should we be thinking about it?
How can I tell if I am experiencing intergenerational trauma? Is it going to just pop out and give me a breakdown some day?
Is intergenerational trauma something that happens more often to queer and trans people? 
How does intergenerational trauma show up in my life and relationships if I am queer? 
How can I heal from intergenerational trauma if I am not even close to my family? 
 
Join us as we dive into the complexities of intergenerational trauma and how it shows up in our lives. 
 
Therapist Bio: 
 
Jenny Nigro ASW (they/them) is a therapist with Open Space Therapy Collective. Jenny specializes in working with adults and older adults who struggle to understand their identity and behaviors and desire to gain confidence and release shame from past experiences.
 
Host Bio: 
 
Renae Johnson (they/them) founded Open Space Therapy Collective (OSTC), a group practice and community hub that focuses on mental health for and by the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities and their allies.  
 
Renae is an art therapist who specializes in working with queer artists who are exploring their gender identity and recovering from complex trauma. Previous to founding OSTC, Renae spent a decade in community mental health services, providing therapy and as an Operations Director in organizations serving people experiencing complex co-occurring diagnoses. Prior to their career as a therapist, Renae was a working artist who worked in figurative painting and sculpture. 
 
Renae is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Board Certified Art Therapist, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.  
 
To find more from us visit:
https://www.openspacetherapycollective.com/meet-debbie
https://www.instagram.com/openspacetherapycollective/
https://www.tiktok.com/@openspacetherapy
https://www.tiktok.com/@mytherapistisout
https://www.instagram.com/mytherapistisout
 
Content warning: trauma, violence