Lee Tepper, msw, lisw-s (they/them)

I believe we are living under systems of oppression that have made us vulnerable  to experiencing mental illness, trauma, and systemic harm. My practice is queer and trans-affirming, justice-oriented, and grounded in Black feminist thought, which means I name the impact of oppression instead of asking you to quietly adjust to it. 

MY CORE VALUES

Dignity & Self-Determination
You are the expert on your own life. My role is not to “fix” you or make you into someone else, but to collaborate with you on what healing, change, or stability look like on your terms. I move at your pace, with your consent, and I will always be honest with you about what I’m seeing.

Justice-Oriented, Not “Neutral”
Mental health doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Oppression, including racism, queerphobia and transphobia, ableism, fatphobia, sexism, classism, and criminalization shape how stress and trauma land in our bodies and relationships. I name these realities instead of quietly asking you to adjust to them. My work is informed by Black feminist and queer thought, which means I care deeply about collective liberation as well as individual healing.

Trauma-Informed & Shame-Reducing
Many of the things people feel ashamed of are actually survival strategies that made sense in context. In our work, we’ll be curious about those patterns rather than judgmental. I aim to create a space where your full story can exist — including the parts that feel complicated, contradictory, or “too much.”

Queer & Trans-Affirming Care
I offer affirming care for LGBTQIA+ people, including those who are questioning, exploring, or shifting language for themselves over time. Your gender, sexuality, family structure, and relationships are welcomed without assumption or agenda. I will never see your queerness or transness as the “problem” to be solved.

Body, Identity, and Relationship Diversity
All bodies, identities, and relationship structures are welcome here. I work to be affirming of neurodivergent experiences, disability, chronic illness, varied cultural and spiritual backgrounds, and non-traditional support systems and families of choice. We’ll hold space for the ways these identities are sources of strength and how they’re targeted in the world.

Transparency & Collaboration
You deserve to know why I’m asking questions, suggesting a particular approach, or documenting things in a certain way. I invite feedback, questions, and disagreement. We’ll check in regularly about what is and isn’t working so therapy can stay responsive to your real life, not just an ideal version of it.

INCLUSIVITY IN PRACTICE

• I welcome people of all genders, sexualities, races, ethnicities, faiths and spiritual practices (including none), immigration statuses, body sizes, abilities, and family structures.
   
• I do not tolerate racism, transphobia, queerphobia, xenophobia, or any form of dehumanization in this space. Safety and dignity- especially for those most made vulnerable by systems of oppression- are non-negotiable.
   
• When I get something wrong (because I’m human), I am committed to repair, accountability, and doing better, not defensiveness.
   

ACCESSIBILITY & ACCOMMODATIONS

I know therapy can be emotionally, logistically, and financially demanding. Whenever possible, I work with you to reduce barriers: around scheduling, communication needs, and pacing our work so it feels sustainable rather than overwhelming. If you need particular accommodations to participate fully, I welcome that conversation.