Welcome, Grace Michelle O’Connor, M.A., A.M.F.T.!

Grace O’Connor, M.A., A.M.F.T. has joined Gender Wellness of Los Angeles (GWLA) and we can’t be more excited. Grace is ambitious, energetic, hard working, and committed to her clients. She brings with her many years of experience helping the transgender and non-binary community with drug and alcohol addiction. There are several groups that Grace will be starting at GWLA, which we will announce in the coming weeks and months. We are thrilled to have her valued knowledge and expertise available to our clients. — Casey Weitzman, M.A., L.M.F.T., GWLA Founder & Director

My name is Grace O’Connor, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, and I am pleased to be the newest member of the team at Gender Wellness of Los Angeles. I struggled for a long time to embrace my true self and can report a renewed sense of purpose, joy, and real self-fulfillment on the other side. The effects of growing up in a heteronormative, binary culture had a profound impact on me. I didn’t see people like me mirrored in the larger society and what I took from that was an internalized sense of shame about my very being. It took me some time to work through that internalized transphobia and come to terms with my true identity. It was not easy and taking the first step was the bravest thing I’ve ever done. I believe there is real value in taking what I have learned as a transgender-identified person and bringing it into my relationship with clients to build bonds of trust, security and ultimately healing. I look forward to meeting with you as we light the path toward wholeness, connection and peace.

Prior to working with GWLA, I worked as a Primary Therapist/Group Facilitator at Pride Recovery LA where I was able to apply my over 20 years of 12-step recovery to helping LGBTQ+ people struggling with the disease of addiction. I have my Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles, completed my training at the Colors LGBTQ Youth Counseling Center and I’m a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

In addition to my work with GWLA, I currently work as a Primary Therapist/Intake Specialist/Group Facilitator at Core Melrose Recovery where I use a combination of styles including 12 step, Mindfulness/Meditation, LGBTQ+ Affirmative, Relational, Somatic, CBT and Family Systems to name a few.

Sincerely,
Grace