Gender-affirming, trauma-informed therapy for 18+ and adults.
Loren V., LMSW (they/them)
SPECIALTIES
Self Harm
Gender Dysphoria
Addiction
Anxiety and Depression
Trauma and PTSD
Racial Identity
Dual Diagnosis
Personality Disorders
Body dysmorphia & disordered eating (HAES-aligned)
LANGUAGES SPOKEN
Spanish (Native Speaker)
Arabic (B1 Intermediate)
Portuguese (B1 Intermediate)
Japanese (B2 Intermediate)
EDUCATION
Widener University Doctor of Philosophy of Social Work, in process.
University of Tennessee - Knoxville Master's of Science in Clinical Social Work
University of Tennessee - Knoxville Bachelor's of Science in Social Work
$165 / 50-min session
Accepting new clients
Virtual and In Person
About Me
Howdy! My name is Loren, and I am a hybrid therapist here at Arrive. I am a queer gendered Afro-Indigenous person born in Puerto Rico. I grew up in the South, and I have lived all over the world. I am a musician, rugby player, roller skater, manga reader, and fantasy card game player.
However, when asked about who I am as a clinician, I say that I am a Suicidologist and have worked primarily in treatment centers for addiction and the prison industrial complex while centering a social work lens.
In that way, it is my goal, through service, that I can support clients in combating social injustice perceived and experienced, help develop feelings of dignity and internalized worth, establish valuable human relationships within their lives, and engage the world as their most authentic self. Each person who takes their seat on my metaphorical and literal couch will have the opportunity to expand their capacity to experience their world more effectively.
I have spent the majority of my time as a therapist working with people to understand the source of their action or inaction, what can motivate change, and what to do when it feels there is no way forward. If the nature of crisis work has been to talk people off the ledge, then our time in session will be to identify how we got to the ledge in the first place, what factors created it, and what other behaviors we can use to build a bridge for our next steps instead.
Specialties
Self Harm
Gender Dysphoria
Addiction
Trauma and PTSD
Racial Identity
Dual Diagnosis
Personality Disorders
Anxiety & Depression
Body dysmorphia & disordered eating (HAES-aligned)
Looking for something specific?
Disclaimer: This list is not exhaustive, and therapists are always expanding their skill sets.
Why I Became A Therapist
A wide array of lived experiences has taught me that commonly, the people who are the most in need are the furthest from support, resulting in the systems inevitably failing them.
No singular person is entirely self-made, and we all rely on connections for our successes and our failures. As a person who grew up in a series of systems that perpetuate these pervasive failures, I felt even more responsible to become a person who could provide support and care through affirming practices with a side of understanding and acceptance.
Modalities (at a glance)
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A practice that understands how trauma affects you and creates safety and trust so you can heal.
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A non-judgmental approach where the therapist trusts your perspective and supports you in finding your own solutions.
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A framework that looks at how social isolation and disconnection contribute to suicidal thoughts.
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A structured approach that teaches practical skills for managing intense emotions and building a life worth living.
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A method that helps you accept difficult feelings while taking action toward what truly matters to you.
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An approach that views your mind as having different "parts" with their own perspectives, and works to help them communicate and cooperate.
I Help Folks Who Are:
LGBTQIA+ seeking support and understanding
People working through patterns and cycles of self-harm
Folks seeking to develop a deeper understanding of what sources their behaviors.
Teens and Adults looking to create change
How I Work
Affirming and Collaborative
Identifying Internalized Beliefs
Developing Effective Self-Challenge
Trauma-Informed
Identifying Systemic Barriers
Psychoeducation and Therapy
Healthy At Any Size (HAES) -aligned
What to Expect
(First 1ā2 sessions)
We meet where you are and begin the development of the necessary rapport, including what your overall system of support looks like.
We establish what you would like to be different and what ways we can resource you sufficiently to accomplish your goals.
Availability & Locations Served
Telehealth for clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York (teens with guardian consent as required and adults).
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
New York
Lorenās Blog Picks
Resources I often share with clients.
Recognizing when therapy might benefit someone you care aboutāor yourselfācan be challenging, especially within a society that often discourages men from expressing vulnerability. Men, particularly those in the LGBTQIA+ community, may face unique obstacles that affect their mental health. For gay men, connecting with an empathetic counselor who understands these specific challenges can be transformative. If you're considering therapy, Counseling for Gay Men offers specialized, affirming support for those navigating identity, stress, relationships, and more.
Directed by Julie Cohen, "Every Body" examines the trauma that many intersex people experience, but ultimately provides a feel-good take on the community.
Decolonizing gender involves challenging and dismantling the dominant Western, colonial perspectives on gender that have been imposed on marginalized communities. It means rejecting the rigid binary view of gender as solely male or female, and embracing a more fluid and expansive understanding of gender identity and expression.
Gender identity is a fundamental aspect of who we are. It shapes our experiences, relationships, and how we see ourselves in the world. For many, expressing this identity is not just a matter of preference but a crucial part of their mental and emotional well-being. This post explores why itās important to express your gender identity, delving into personal growth, child development, and the broader impact of this expression on our lives. Understanding the importance of Gender-Affirming Therapy in Paoli, PA can further support this journey.