Identity, Culture, and the Inner World

The Emotional Meaning of Identity and Belonging

Our sense of who we are does not develop in isolation. It is shaped over time by family relationships, culture, community, and the larger social and political world we move through. In my work, I am interested in how these experiences—both conscious and unconscious—become part of a person’s inner life and influence how they relate to themselves and others.

A psychodynamic approach to therapy offers space to explore these layers thoughtfully. Rather than focusing only on symptoms or behaviors, we look at how identity, belonging, difference, and power have been lived and felt over time—and how those experiences continue to shape emotional life, relationships, and patterns of coping.

I have a particular commitment to working with people whose identities have been marginalized or misunderstood, including people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Experiences of racism, homophobia, transphobia, or exclusion often leave psychological traces that are subtle, internalized, and difficult to name. Over time, external messages about who has value or belonging can become woven into a person’s sense of self, shaping feelings of worth, safety, desire, and possibility—often outside of conscious awareness.

At the same time, identity is never only about injury. Strength, resilience, creativity, and deeply held values are also carried within individuals and communities, even when they have been obscured or eroded by external pressures. Part of the work of therapy is making room for these qualities to be recognized and reclaimed.