Who We Are
Two queer, neurodivergent therapists who aren’t trying to be wellness influencers.
Therapy, Without the toxic positivity wellness culture
We’re Julie (they/she) and Aubrey (they/them), a married queer and trans therapist team. We run Transparent Talk Therapy, a virtual practice serving clients across California and British Columbia.
We know therapy can feel like you’re being studied under a microscope, or gaslit by a hyphy CrossFit coach, or like your therapist is thinking things they aren’t saying out loud. We hated that too. So we built a practice that’s the opposite: no cryptic therapy riddles, no fake wellness influencer vibes, no toxic positivity. Just transparent conversations, insight, practical tools, and humor that actually help you feel like yourself again.
Our Approach
We believe therapy works best when you feel seen, safe, and respected, not when we stick rigidly to a single method. Research shows the therapist-client relationship matters more than the exact approach, so that’s where we start.
We adapt to neurodivergent brains instead of fighting them
We ask direct, thoughtful questions (not just silent head-nodding)
We use dark humor and honesty to cut through the bs
Our work draws from narrative therapy, Internal Family Systems (like the movie Inside Out) trauma-informed care, and EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy). We also bring lived experience as queer, trans, and neurodivergent people navigating the world.
Why Humor Matters to Us
When life gets heavy, humor can be a lifeline. We don’t use jokes to avoid the hard stuff, we use them to survive it. Laughing in dark times is cathartic. Therapy with us makes space for the whole spectrum of human experience: the tears, the relief, and the occasional spot-on TikTok that says it better than words can.
Meet Aubrey
Hi, I’m Aubrey (they/them).
Aubrey Grande-Strathdee LMFT, RCCI specialize in relationship therapy for queer, trans, and polyamorous couples and families, as well as supporting neurodivergent teens and adults. My work is engaged, collaborative, and affirming. I’ll help you see your story clearly, then co-create the changes you actually want to make.
Are you looking for a therapist that you won't have to educate on every aspect of your identity?
Have you been through this therapy thing before? I work with queer & transgender people, folks who are kink and non-monogamous, self-proclaimed weirdos, people engaging in sex work, parents and partners of queer & transgender people, folks exploring their identity, and probably whatever you’ve got going on too! I enjoy assisting clients in strengthening relationships of all kinds. Whether you're seeking out couples therapy, or want a more compassionate relationship with yourself- I'm in.
My therapeutic approach is rooted in narrative therapy and informed by feminist and queer theory, offering a lens that recognizes the impact of systems and power dynamics on your experiences. My work is also deeply attachment-based and trauma-focused. I pay attention to the ways your relationships (past & present) affect your sense of safety and connection.
I believe therapy is at its best when there is an authentic person-to-person connection. In our sessions, we’ll do the deep and sometimes difficult work of therapy, but we’ll also share moments of joy. Who you are should be celebrated with someone who gets it.
Meet Julie
Hi, I’m Julie (they/she).
Julie Grande-Strathdee LMFTI work with adults and teens, specializing in complex trauma, dissociation, panic, and self-harm. I often work with neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ clients who have been feeling overstimulated, and ostracized by a world that was not built for them. My therapy style is direct, compassionate, and unafraid of the dark stuff, because I believe facing what hurts is how we start to heal.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, searching for relief, and quite frankly, getting pretty desperate?
That "best life" others seem to live feels just beyond reach, with a little progress one day, then sliding all the way back to where you started. It’s exhausting. You logically know you’ve overcome so much, but where is that strength everyone says you have? Together, we can foster compassion for the coping skills you’ve used to survive.
These strategies deserve acknowledgment and appreciation because they have kept you alive. Only with the proper support can we begin to liberate ourselves from strategies that may have fulfilled their purpose. Through the use of practical tools, introspection, catharsis and humor we can reshape your approach to both inner and outer relationships and build a new sense of connectedness and security in the world.
I work with adults and teenagers seeking relief from panic attacks, depression and suicidal thoughts, self harm, gender dysphoria, sexual abuse, and childhood trauma and PTSD. I see folks looking for LGBTQ+ affirming therapy, and non-binary and transgender affirming care. I also write gender-affirming surgery letters with a one-time consultation.
Why Clients Work With Us
Our clients are often:
Queer, trans, or questioning adults and teens
Neurodivergent (ADHD, autistic, or both)
Parents navigating identity, family conflict, or burnout
Couples or polycules wanting to communicate better, heal ruptures, or reconnect
Folks processing complex PTSD, childhood trauma, or relational wounds
Virtual Therapy in California and British Columbia
We offer telehealth therapy so you can meet with us from home, your car, or your favorite enclosure for enrichment time. We know online therapy isn’t for everyone, but for the folks we work with, it often makes therapy more accessible, private, and sustainable.
Ready to Connect?
Let’s see if we’re the right fit. We would love to hear from you! Contact us to schedule your free 15 minute consultation.