Al (they/them) holds a Limited License Master of Social Work Clinical degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Philosophy and Sociology from Northern Michigan University. They aim to utilize a comprehensive person-centered, trauma-informed approach to maneuvering life’s challenges, recognizing that each person has a unique story to tell and one shoe does not fit all when it comes to therapy treatments. Al’s areas of specialty and experience include, but are not limited to, the LGBTQIA+ population, gender affirming care, sexual health and well-being, anxiety, depression, substance use recovery, and grief and loss. Al has additional training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) and LGBTQ+ Affirming Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. They additionally serve as the Rural Communities Representative for the Governor of Michigan's LGBTQ+ Commission and as a co-facilitator for in-person and virtual Trans Teen support groups through Stand with Trans of Michigan.Previously, Al has worked with Planned Parenthood of Michigan to provide medical assistant services with a focus on abortion care and gender affirming hormone therapy. They were trained and served as a first-trimester ultrasonographer, basic phlebotomist, and intramuscular injection provider along with delivering assessments and patient education for STI testing and treatment, preventative annual care services, PrEP and PEP, and routine and emergency contraception. With their time at PPMI, Al also served as an internal advisor for the launch of gender affirming care within the organization. Prior to working with PPMI, Al worked multiple years as a certified nursing assistant at both the Houghton County (now Canal View) and Marquette County Medical Care Facilities.