Ernesto Torres-Peña

My name is Tony (they/it/any). I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Virginia and am brown, queer, trans/nonbinary, and neurodivergent. I aspire to work toward creating therapy spaces that are experienced as anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and decolonial. The wisdom and organizing of Black women, disabled people, sex-workers, and trans femmes of color are at the core of what liberatory oriented mental health professionals use to earn a living. With this understanding, the work that brings me the most joy is moving together toward mental well-being rooted in community and culture. I hope for a world where we have healers rather than therapists, but also recognize the realities of the present. You deserve therapy where you don’t need to explain yourself at the expense of your dignity. My experience in community based mental health has supported me to develop a style of practice that is centered on trauma-informed care as well as informed by liberation psychology, mindfulness, narrative therapy, and solution-focused frameworks. Additionally, I am committed to offering free gender affirming care letters using an informed consent model.