Our Care Team

Licensed Master of Social Work
‍CUNY Hunter’s Silberman School of Social Work

Julian grew up in New York City playing GameCube. One of his favorite memories is when he used his arcane powers to help his World of Warcraft guild defeat Deathwing, liberating the NPCs of Azeroth from his terror. Through all his virtual adventures, Julian valued the connections he made with people; he loved how deep relationships could develop through cooperation in games. The trust to cover a friend’s six transcended into the trust to keep their secrets™. Now, Julian is a board-certified social worker practicing psychotherapy in Brooklyn, NY, with two Master's Degrees and over three years of experience in mental healthcare. He has honed his assessment and intervention skills through years of working with patients in medical crises, and has studied under some of the most prominent and successful psychologists and psychiatrists in New York City, refining a treatment approach that is at once relational, empathic, and challenging. He employs different modalities of treatment rooted in psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral foundations with the goal of improving lives through talk. Hero Journey Club has equipped Julian with the unique opportunity to combine his two great loves in life and assist individuals complete the most difficult boss battles across all platforms. He can’t wait to meet you in-game!

MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling
‍SUNY at Buffalo

I’m Kim, aka Kiki aka Squidward (she/her). I spent 11 years in the military (6 years Marine Corps and 5 years Army) and am medically retired. My time in the military was difficult but I saw and learned a lot. After watching my brothers and sisters fight their unseen demons in silence, I vowed that I would find a way to help. When I'm not helping underserved populations, I focus on implementing alternative therapy modalities with veterans suffering from trains or steps related disorders.

Outside of work, I love travelling, horror movies, and everything Halloween. I will sing the soundtrack of Nightmare Before Christmas and am totally obsessed with LOTR. I like the typical one-player games (Candy Crush, Family Island, etc.,), Raid Shadow Legends, and Puzzles and Survival. Hope to see you in one of my groups!!

MS Psychology

Ivonne is a Marriage and Family Therapist and Addictions Counselor with over 5 years of clinical experience. Ivonne identifies as queer and is deeply connected with her Venezuelan roots. She speaks three languages (English, Spanish, and French) and is working on learning a fourth! She has worked for non-profit organizations, community mental health centers, mental health start-ups, and psychiatric facilities. Her curiosity for the mental health system and passion for helping others has taken her from case management and group facilitation, to individual therapy and crisis responder roles. She uses an integrative approach to counseling and enjoys empowering other individuals in their journeys. She specializes in trauma work, relationship dynamics, substance use, human sexuality, and mood disorders.

Masters in Clinical Psychology
‍California Northstate University, School of Psychology

Hello! My name is Jennifer, but most people call me Koya ^.^

I am a polyamorous, nonbinary, transgender woman. I have worked at multiple residential behavioral crisis centers since 2017. My main clinical focuses have been Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Compassion Therapy (ACT), and Adlerian Therapy. I have training and experience in crisis intervention, LGBTQ focused therapy, and trauma informed care. I believe that everyone deserves their own space to be heard and valued, and I do my best to bring that to my work.

Video games and roleplaying games have always been a safe space for me to express myself honestly, and I grew to love engaging with these games. My favorite games have always had an aspect of cooperation to them, so I have spent a lot of time playing games like Baldur’s Gate 3. When I’m not gaming, I enjoy creating characters, engaging in puzzles, and exploring art exhibits. I’m a strong believer that mental health support should be more widely available, and believe that more growth happens when all parties in a mental health setting are empowered to be their true self, without worry of judgment from others. I am here to help you be your best self, whatever form that may take. Keep going, and you can achieve great things!

MA Art Therapy
‍Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Hi there! My name is Justin! I am from Atlanta GA, but currently live in Tennessee. I am an Art Therapist and working towards my independent licensure. I love doing the work through art therapy as I feel that self expression is a massive component to our own mental well being and resiliency. Art and video gaming both allow us to feel immersed in something beyond ourselves and to express ourselves and so I often utilize gaming in my own practice as well. I have experience with several modalities such as: Gestalt, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Identity work. I am also trained for gender affirming care and work with many people who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as being trauma informed. My personal approach is that self expression and exploration is key to understanding ourselves.

I have always been a big gamer from the original playstation days. I like RPG’s, and open world adventure games the most! Some of my favorite games are SWTOR, Destiny 2, Mass Effect, Horizon: Zero Dawn and Forbidden West. In my free time I game and I draw on my iPad, and I work with a mental health in gaming non profit. I love to draw characters from games or people’s cosplays. I am passionate about the community we find in gaming and excited to work with you to facilitate that in your own space.

MA Forensic Mental Health Counseling
‍John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Sabrina is a Substance Use Disorder Counselor at an outpatient treatment center. She is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) and is working towards her mental health counseling licensure (LMHC). She received her Master of Arts in Forensic Mental Health Counseling with an Advanced Certification in Victimology Studies in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College in New York City. She has both adult and youth mental health first aid training.

She has worked with adults and adolescents in both an outpatient and inpatient setting. She has helped individuals with intellectual/developmental disorders, substance use disorders, and dual-diagnoses; families involved with the Department of Human Services as well as individuals admitted into an acute psychiatric facility.

Her passion in life is helping people in any way she can. She tries her best to help others be the best version of themselves and inspire positive change. She wants to not only help heal our minds but also our bodies. Our healthy choices will make for not only better overall wellness but also a more sustaining life.

Masters of Social Work
‍Florida State University

Courtney grew up knowing that she wanted to help people and found her way to Social Work, where she could work in a vast array of settings with people from all walks of life. Courtney is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked in community mental health settings, including child welfare and corrections, as well as private practice. She has had the honor of helping people from a variety of backgrounds who are dealing with significant life stressors including substance abuse, trauma, interpersonal stressors, and systemic oppression. Courtney believes that we all have the ability to take control of our lives and wants to be a supportive, authentic, and non-judgmental source of support to others. Her primary theoretical frameworks are interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and humanistic/existential therapy; and she utilizes CBT and DBT techniques. A quote that resonates with Courtney’s approach to mental health, by the poet Sierra DeMulder, states “I am whole even as I grow.” Her hope is to provide a safe, accepting, and inclusive space to be yourself, find your why, and piece together the never-ending work-in-progress that makes you human.

MA-CMHC
‍Hawai'i Pacific University

Ky is a clinical mental health counselor operating in the Kingdom of Hawai'i, specializing in treating both populations of indigenous and LGGBTQIA+ folx. Ky is passionate about giving back to their community, and can be seen at various marches and acts of activism in their community. Ky has worked in forensics, crisis, with teens & children, and operates a private practice. They are passionate about the accessibility of services and HJC helps promote that! Ky is a trauma-informed therapist who has a Humanistic theoretical orientation. Come as you are, and begin your healing journey!

MEd Mental Health Counseling
‍Alfred University

Gabriell Gereau (a.k.a. Gabbi/Caffrey, any pronouns) grew up with a love of video games, stories, and helping others. For them, video games were a way to escape into exciting other worlds while also connecting with their sister and cousins. Gabbi majored in psychology, with minors in human services and English, and fell in love with counseling. They attended Alfred University’s Mental Health Counseling graduate program and learned that they especially enjoy working with the LGBTQIA+ population, neurodivergent individuals, and teenagers, among other populations. Their main approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and play therapy. They hope to help everyone they work with be able to better understand their thoughts, feelings, and relationships with others, and to use this knowledge to better their mental health.

When Gabbi is not working, they enjoy writing novels and short stories, spending time with their pets (two cats and a bearded dragon), making art, beachcombing, singing show tunes, and playing video games.

Licensed Master of Social Work
‍Silver School of Social Work

Ennis Rook Bashe, LMSW (they/them, AST main) graduated from the New York University Silver School of Social Work with an emphasis on trauma-informed group work. What they like most about being a social worker is that social workers use a strengths-based perspective to help people unlock the resources inside themselves. Previously, they have run support groups for people of all ages dealing with rare diseases, as well as helping facilitate groups including creative arts and mindfulness for youth and adolescents. As a clinician, they are interested in DBT, CBT, mindfulness, and narrative and creative modalities. Outside of work, they are super-passionate about disability advocacy, tarot and witchcraft, indie TTRPGS, LARP, Magic the Gathering, and refreshing their hurt/comfort fanfiction to see if it’s gotten any new comments in the last five seconds.

Masters in Clinical Psychology
‍Pacific University

Ph.D. Candidate

Diana Huynh is a neurodiverse clinical psychology graduate student from Portland Oregon, currently possessing her master’s in clinical work, and working to obtain her doctorate. She grew up in a small town in the south where gaming, music, and youtube culture became her safety outlets. Her Vietnamese American background inspired her to pursue psychology with a passion to serve marginalized communities. Diana’s therapeutic work draws from humanistic and liberation perspectives. She is passionate about providing non-judgmental, culturally-informed therapeutic services while also highlighting the various systemic and institutional barriers that negatively impact an individual’s wellbeing.

Diana hopes to accompany you on your quest to find your truest self. The quest isn't without setbacks; there are moments when you stumble or lose your way. But just as in any adventure, you learn to rely on your support network, finding strength in vulnerability and drawing upon the wisdom of those who have traveled similar paths. When she is not working you can find her hiking, gardening, cooking, or hanging out with her cat nutmeg. She enjoys playing cozy sims and spending countless hours watching (scary) gameplays on youtube because she is too afraid to play them herself but loves the suspense. 

Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.)
‍Spalding University

Carson grew up as an only child, and filled her time playing a plethora of computer & web-based games. During adolescence and throughout college, Carson discovered a love of psychology: the intersection of science and compassion. Carson earned a masters and doctorate in clinical psychology with her dissertation topic exploring variables that impact LGBT+ quality of life. Throughout her clinical training, Carson fell in love with groups and the unique space they create for the members within them. Carson utilizes an integrated approach that pulls from ACT, attachment, DBT, IFS, and interpersonal neurobiology. Utilizing a person-centered approach, Carson believes each Journeyer is an expert in their own experience - and with the right tools and skills - can create a deeply fulfilling life. Further, Carson’s practice is rooted in understanding that our brains are wired to be connected with each other; we cannot and should not endure our journey’s alone. When not working, Carson enjoys gaming, reading, community organizing, and cooking.

MEd Community Counseling
‍Loyola University Chicago

My name is Diana (she/her), and I hold a Masters in Community Counseling from Loyola University. I specialize as a person-centered therapist with expertise in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help with symptom reduction. I firmly believe that everyone is doing the best they can with the resources they have access to. At HJC, my role is to become an additional resource to collaborate with and help you become your best version of yourself. With a deep commitment to supporting others on their journey towards personal growth and fulfillment, I bring both expertise and empathy to my role. I'm dedicated to ensuring every member's experience is nothing short of extraordinary, providing the support and guidance needed to make your heroic journey with us truly transformative.

Outside of my professional role, I enjoy a variety of hobbies. Typically you will find me playing story-based games and cozy games like Pokémon, Stardew Valley, and Animal Crossing.

I can't wait to embark on this adventure together!

MS Counseling and Clinical Mental Health
‍California State University Fullerton

Dina is a therapist in California. She is a queer AUDHD mixed woman of Mexican and Syrian descent. Dina approaches therapy with harm-reductionist, agentic care, intersectional feminist lenses, and relational cultural theories. Dina is an advocate for neurodivergence visibility and radical self-acceptance.

She works primarily with teens and young adults with disordered eating, body image, and trauma.

Masters of Social Work
‍The Ohio State University

Hiya! My name is Anna. I have an MSW with areas of emphasis in mental health and substance use. I've worked in private practice as well as a substance use rehab facility. I would say my therapy style pulls from every therapy style, though I do have a soft spot for some of the less common therapy types like narrative therapy. I use motivational interviewing in almost everything I do, and really want people to know that they hold all the power they need to see positive changes and effects in their lives. My philosophy not only in session, but also for life is you can always learn something. Even a bad experience can highlight something that you didn't know before, and highlighting that leads to growth! I take that into every session, not only for those I'm in session with, but for myself as well. I am always learning. I pride myself in the research and work I have done with the LGBTQIA+ community. I have completed foundations coursework specifically revolving around supportive care for transgender folx. I've been playing video games for as long as my brother was willing to have me sit next to him with an unplugged controller. I play a wide variety of games, from Harvest Moon, to Dead by Daylight, I'm willing to try and learn anything... even if I'm bad at it.