About Cal (they/them or he/him)

Cal Reynolds, LPC, M.Ed., has worked in mental health settings since 2011 (and received mental  health care longer than that) gathering a broad range of tools. Over that time they have found the heart of therapeutic work is the relationship. Developing and deepening that relationship takes listening with humility to what is working, creating a safe enough space for clients to push back on what is not working, patience, and persistence. 

The  power structures inherent to the therapist/client relationship can make that hard, but Cal is committed to doing what they can to create safety even within that dynamic. Cal is committed to continuously learning and unlearning about structures of oppression and liberation of marginalization around race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender/sex based oppression (including how the patriarchy affects everyone, transgender and intersex concerns), body positivity/fat liberation, disability, adoption/foster issues, socioeconomic status, and other issues.

Cal is not a “soft soothing noises therapist”. So while they almost always listen more than they talk and believe in the power of validation, they also ask questions, provide resources, and bring in evidenced-based tools/activities. They are always learning more with each new client.

Cal obtained a Master of Education in Counseling: Community Mental Health from the University of Alaska: Fairbanks and graduated in 2020. Their internship was through Tanana Chiefs Conference. This included things like individual therapy for adults, teenagers, and children, running groups (trauma, addictions, DBT skills), case management, and working with these systems on creating environments that were safer for people who have experienced trauma and LGBTQIA+ people. 

During this time they received advanced training in providing affirming care for indigenous transgender/two-spirit clients through a national program facilitated by Indian Health Services. 

They also completed a capstone project on integrating expressive arts into therapeutic practice. 

During and for about a year after graduate school, they worked on a public health research study through the Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health. 

Since graduating they have sought training in EMDR and Expressive Arts Therapy through the Institute for Creative Mindfulness.

When alone they like to read (sci-fi, fantasy, and memoirs), craft (crochet, painting, and ceramics), and look at memes. When they are with friends, they play tabletop roleplaying games, hike/kayak, sing, and dance. Cal loves animals and has a formerly feral tuxedo cat that occasionally pops in on telehealth appointments.