Seal Dwyer, MS, LMFT
I focus on queer folks and trauma because I am queer and I had chronic trauma. I believe the most effective therapists are simply folks who dealt with their own issues and learned how to help others. This is what I did. I dealt with my chronic trauma and continue to deal with it. And I help other folks. I am queer. I live in the world in a queer body, and I help other folks, many of whom do the same.
Seal (they/them) has a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. They are a licensed marriage and family therapist, meaning they see the systems that people exist within and how they express the trouble within these systems.
Seal is an EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist. EMDR is the number one most evidence-based treatment for trauma in the world. EMDR is an incredible therapy that helps folks process their trauma and put it in the past–where it belongs–once and for all. It heals PTSD. It heals DID. It heals borderline personality disorder. It heals, period.
Seal is a registered yoga teacher—RYT-200. They are also a NETA-certified personal trainer and certified Yoga for All Teacher.
Seal helps people with trauma and gender/sexuality issues understand their therapy, understand their symptoms and why they are happening, and understand that better happens. Seal teaches skills that work. Their people graduate from therapy and move on with their lives.
Seal’s ideal client is old enough to have a say over their life (14+, but they work with kids and families.) Seal works with queer folks of all kinds. They are anti-racist. Gifted clients tend to jive with them. Same with autism. Seal lives in a fat body and has never had a smaller body, so if they are working on body issues, larger folks will feel more comfortable with Seal. They do all kinds of trauma, but chronic trauma is their area of greatest interest.
Seal says, “My clients are the most powerful and brave folks I’ve ever met. They face their worst days, then go out and change the world. Each of them is a hero of mine, and I am so grateful to be part of their journey.”
“I’m challenging. I’m very smart. And I push. I’m very political. I live in a femme, fat, queer body. There isn’t any part of me that isn’t political by nature, so I don’t try to airbrush that. I do not hide my beliefs, opinions, or make myself so falsely “professional” that I’m not human. I’m blunt. I swear. That means I’m not the right therapist for everyone, but I’m very happy to refer people to someone who might be a better fit.
My people get better and get better fast. I don’t believe in forever therapy. Therapy, the word, comes from the Greek and means “to heal.” My job is not to maintain clients forever; my job is to help folks heal so they can go out and live their lives. And I do that. When my clients graduate therapy, they are generally asymptomatic. I am not the therapist for everyone, but generally those who need me find me.” – Seal Dwyer, MS LMFT
