Who We Are and What We’re About
Established in 2022, Pride and Joy Counseling is an independent therapy practice committed to upholding values of compassion, integrity, humility, and social justice in the service of all persons with a special focus on LGBTQ+ and allied communities. Here you will be offered to share an inclusive, affirming space with a therapist whose perspective is informed by years of lived experience both in the queer community and in each seat of the therapy room. Whether you are looking to start working on yourself or transitioning to the next level in your life and need some support, Pride and Joy has got your back.
Born This Way
Sometimes we all need somebody to genuinely meet us where we are at in life with radical acceptance and compassion for who we are and where we want to go from here. But searching for the right person to connect with can be a daunting prospect, especially if you or your loved ones have been met with societal rejection and systematic oppression. As such, my primary goal in therapy is to cultivate an inclusive, warming environment where you can safely and freely express your authentic self, which is why you deserve to know a little about me as well.
My legal name is Derrick Freyman, LMSW-C, but my chosen name is Freddie Wyatt. I am a non-binary, queer therapist dedicated to upholding gender-affirming, sex-positive, and social justice values both in my practice and my personal life. I earned my MSW from Michigan State University, and with over 10 years of experience serving teens, adults, and couples in academic and private practice settings, I specialize in helping people navigate challenges of living with trauma, anxiety, dysphoria, neurodiversity, and relationship difficulties. My approach is tailored based on your individual goals and preferences, and I offer an integrated perspective, drawing on trauma-informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness-based Dialectical Behavioral Therapy within an existential-humanistic framework.
When I’m not in session, I love to explore the Ann Arbor/Ypsi area with my spouse and our dog. I enjoy a variety of music and media, and I try hard to make time for reading, writing, and meditating. If you are interested in setting up a time to talk before committing to a full session, feel free to send me a message about scheduling a free consultation.