Hi, I'm Eric (he/him)
Connecting with People is My Jam
I genuinely love being a therapist. Not in a performative, "it's my calling" way — I just really like people, and I find the work endlessly interesting. Showing up as myself in sessions, no performing, no blank slate — that's where I do my best work. My people want someone who actually gets it, and I do, because I've lived it.
How I Got Here
Growing up gay in a small town was tough, but my coming out process was incredibly liberating. I learned that proclaiming who I was and being proud of myself was the ultimate clap-back to everyone who tried to knock me down.
I was also navigating an unstable home environment and turned to my Aunt — also a therapist — for support. Having an outlet to talk about my struggles as a teenager was life-saving. I knew I wanted to be a therapist ever since.
When I learned about the nation's only graduate program in LGBTQ+ Psychology in Los Angeles, I knew I had to go for it. I hopped off the plane at LAX with a dream and my cardigan... Okay, jk, I actually drove cross-country. During my time in LA I got my clinical training from the world's largest provider of services for LGBTQ+ people and built a mental health program for Queer youth in the foster care system from the ground up.
After some time, I shared a challenge with my own therapist: "I want to move back to South Carolina, but it doesn't seem like they have LGBTQ+ mental health work there." Her response: "Then bring it there." So simple. So powerful. I moved back to Charleston and opened Proud Counseling in 2017.
I transitioned to telehealth in 2019 — before the pandemic — after a client drove three hours to my office because she couldn't find a Queer-specialized therapist in her area. Video therapy meant I could reach more people and have greater impact. I see my own therapist this way too.
On Doing Things That Scare Me
I'm forever doing things that scare me because I know that's where the real growth is. The biggest example of that: this past year I packed up, left Charleston, and spent a year traveling the world solo — Argentina, Scandinavia, Thailand, Bali, Taiwan, Colombia — while continuing to work with my therapy clients remotely.
It was incredible. It was also genuinely hard. Moving every few weeks, making every decision alone, navigating stretches of loneliness in places where I didn't speak the language. But here's what I learned: some of the most extraordinary experiences of my life happened specifically because I was solo. No one to check with, no one to hold me back — just me, deciding to go for it.
What came out of that year wasn't just stamps in a passport. I don't have to wait until the fear goes away — I can bring the fear with me and take action anyway. Travel is now part of my forever life, not a someday dream.
That's exactly what I want for the people I work with. Not just feeling better — but actually going for the wildest version of what they want. I know firsthand it's possible. Let's figure out what that looks like for you.
Life Outside the Office
I play saxophone, sing, and keep my guitar out where I can see it (pro tip, btw) — which means I actually play it 3-5 times a week. I drink copious amounts of coffee, play tennis, and make time for the people I love. I'm especially proud of being a fun Uncle — great practice for my future dream of being a Dad. Oh, and travel — but I think I already covered that.
I volunteer with local Queer advocacy groups, I'm a B1-level Spanish speaker (Muchas gracias a Argentina y Colombia por los increíbles profesores y la inmersión), and I go to the gym with the very human level of consistency that most of us manage in real life.
I genuinely believe that nurturing your passions and hobbies isn't a luxury — it's essential. I love my work, but a full life has room for a lot more than just the thing you're good at professionally. When we work together, we won't just focus on what's hard. We'll also look at what lights you up, what you've been putting off, and how to build more of that into your life on purpose.
Yes, I Have the Receipts
M.A. in LGBTQ+ Clinical Psychology (Antioch University Los Angeles). Clinical training from the world's largest provider of LGBTQ+ services (L.A. LGBT Center). Has directly counseled hundreds of Queer people. Licensed Professional Counselor in South Carolina (SC 6510) and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in California (CA 93601)
About Working With Me
My approach is rooted in Queer-affirmative therapy, which means I start by understanding your full identity — your coming out story, how being Queer shows up in your life, and how your intersecting identities (race, gender, disability, religion, you name it) shape your experience of the world. That full picture matters, and I won't skip past it. I layer in CBT for the practical stuff: tools that actually work for reducing anxiety, improving your mood, and building toward the things you want. Mostly though, I'm a talk therapy person — real conversations, no jargon, no performing. I follow what's actually working for you.
The people I do my best work with are all in on therapy. They show up knowing what they want to work on, they do the work between sessions, and they're not here because someone told them they had to be. Many aren't coming to me because they're struggling with being Queer — they're proud of who they are. They just want a therapist who doesn't need a 101 on their life before we get into the real stuff. That said, I absolutely work with people navigating coming out, gender transition, identity exploration, dating, and big life changes too.
Ready to Go For It?
What awesome life changes are you dreaming about? What's holding you back? Let's talk it out — because I promise there's more out there for you, and you are fully worthy of it.
Getting started is the hardest part. But you can do this. Schedule a free, no-pressure consultation from the comfort of wherever you are. Something tells me you're pretty awesome — looking forward to meeting you.