Max is a licensed resident in counseling for Virginia, and a licensed graduate professional
counselor (LGPC) for Maryland. They hold a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health
Counseling. Through the SOAR Program, Max provides virtual services to children, adults of all
ages, couples, polycules, and families. Max is passionate about providing all clients with
individualized care that is affirming, non-pathologizing, anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and
strengths-based.    

Max has two years of experience in community-based work. They have supported individuals
and families with a range of backgrounds and a variety of presenting needs, including anxiety,
depression, PTSD, borderline personality, relationship struggles, parenting, systemic oppression,
chronic illness, internalized fatphobia, grief, suicidality, self-harm, substance use, and
religious/spiritual reconstruction. Prior to working in a community-based setting, Max worked
for two years as a direct support professional for autistic children and intellectually disabled
adults.    

Max especially enjoys supporting those who are exploring their neurodivergence and
LGBTQIA+ related needs. Max’s open-minded perspective, extensive clinical training, and lived
experience as an autistic person informs their unique passion for understanding others, regardless
of the individual’s background, identity, and neurotype. Max believes that their role as a therapist
is to respect and empower clients as the experts of their own lives. Max joins their clients so they
can feel heard and validated while collaboratively exploring emotions, core beliefs, unmet needs,
desires, and experiences. Because there is no “one-size-fits-all” in therapy, Max tailors their
approach to suit unique goals and needs, drawing from diverse perspectives and modalities, with
a special focus on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy
(DBT), person-centered therapy, and neurodiversity-affirmative therapy.  

Max sees it as an honor and privilege to be present with other humans, sharing a vulnerable
experience and connection in the therapeutic relationship. Outside of counseling, they enjoy
activism and community care, video games, cartoons, art and crafts, yoga, reading, earth-based
spirituality, good food, and watching their two cats ruin their apartment.  

Max’s WBMA site supervisor and Maryland supervisor is Dr. Jaclyn Halpern, and their Virginia
supervisor is Shakoya Hicks, Licensed Professional Counselor, LPCS, LCMHCS.