Meet Tess M. Kilwein | Clinical Psychologist and Owner of Tess M. Kilwein, LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tess M. Kilwein and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tess M., we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting my own business wasn’t as much of a “though process” as it was a collection of frustrating moments. I frequently observed gaps in care that I knew I could fill yet didn’t have the avenue to do so. I saw – in both my personal and professional life – so many people struggling with lack of access to gender affirming care, evidence-based trauma and addiction treatment, mental performance support that cares just as much about the mental as the performance, and a place to go to talk about the difficult and stigmatized parts of their lives. I ultimately decided that if someone else – society, government, whoever – isn’t going to create it then I have to. After years of facing hard truths about who systems were and weren’t designed for, I figured I might as well create my own system for those who were left out entirely – queer, kinky, traumatized, addicted, and otherwise marginalized.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Tess M. Kilwein, LLC is a telehealth psychotherapy, training, and consulting practice operated by board-certified clinical psychologist Dr. Tess M. Kilwein servicing California, Colorado, North Dakota, and Wyoming. The practice specializes in psychotherapy, consultation, and training related to trauma/PTSD, addictions, sex & relationships, masculinity, sport/mental performance, and transgender/gender expansive concerns. Tess M. Kilwein, LLC is trauma-informed and incorporates feminist, multicultural, and liberation therapy techniques for clients of all identities. The practice is an LGBTQIA2S+, BIPOC, and polyamory/consensual non-monogamy co-conspirator, offering inclusive systemic sex therapy to those of all gender, sexuality, and relationship identities and behavioral health evaluations, letters, and referrals for those seeking gender affirming medical care access. Finally, Tess M. Kilwein, LLC also offers trauma- and liberation-informed diversity, equity, and inclusion consultation and trainings for non-profits, organizations, and corporations.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My patients are the sole reason that I started and continue to do this work. Their capacity to survive – let alone thrive – in environments and systems that intentionally were designed against them is beyond inspiration.

Website: https://www.tessmkilweinllc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kilweinllc/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tess-m-kilwein-phd-abpp-9774b784/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tessmkilweinllc/