Felix Laneri, LMSW

Accepting new clients.

Introduction

Hey! My name is Felix-Long Laneri, (he/him)

I am a licensed social worker practicing at Arrive Therapy as a Gender and LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapist. I started at Arrive in February of 2023, having previously worked  in the child welfare system, with LGBTQ+ youth experiencing houselessness, doing  refugee advocacy and case management, as well as community based care.

I joined Arrive because I wanted to give back to my community in more specific ways; like holding space, sharing my experiences, and providing tools, resources, and education related to LGBTQ+ care.

Education

I received a Master’s degree in Social Work from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY and have been a Licensed Social Worker since 2023. I have been working with kids since I was 16, and providing mental health services to kids, teens, and families since 2018. 

About me

I feel compelled to do this work as I reflect on what I needed as a child, adolescent, and young adult. Without adequate representation in the media and everyday life it was hard for me to conceptualize what it meant to be trans.

In college I encountered trans folks that openly shared their experiences, which modeled to me the self compassion needed to come out and transition. Having lacked the support from my family, my community became my lifeline and that is why I do what I do now.

What it’s like to see me as a therapist

As a social worker I think the most valuable tenants of therapy are meeting clients where they are at, honoring teens' own goals and self determination, and creating a container for big feelings.

Therapy with me varies based on what works best to create a safe environment in which difficult thoughts and feelings can be shared, held, and challenged if needed. It may look like listening to music and doing art, playing games, practicing coping skills, or traditional talk therapy.

Most importantly, I operate under the firm belief that “Empathy is not endorsement.” (Dylan Marron), and hold myself accountable to receiving each client and their family with unconditional positive regard and empathy. 

Ages

7+

Specialties

• Cognitive behavioral therapy

• Dialectical therapy

• Motivational interviewing.

• Somatic therapy (working with the body to access trauma that is physically held in our nervous systems) 

Modalities

I connect best with clients that are in need of support related to gender identity and sexuality particularly young adults, teens, and kids.

I work best with clients that are self motivated and committed to doing the work, while holding grace and guidance for mental health barriers such as anxiety and depression. This generally fits clients ages 14 and up, but I do enjoy working with younger folks in need of someone to talk and relate to.

More specifically, navigating this world as a trans person of color and transracial adoptee I work well with folks that hold compounding identities such as race, and the complex experience of adoption.