Andrew Pereira, Ph.D., IPS Director

A little bit about me,

I’m a California-born transplant to the PNW, where I spent several years enjoying our vibrant nature prior to earning my doctorate near Dallas, Texas. I moved back to the area with my partner to finish up the program, and we now feel right at home in Ballard.

Others would describe me as a little bit silly, playful, and nerdy, with a touch of esotericism. I grew up in a strictly religious Brazilian/Portuguese household during childhood. My own queer identity helped to challenge learned belief systems, eventually blossoming into values I have carried through my professional development. I now see myself as a vehicle for change as I touch people’s lives and help dismantle the systems of oppression that we all face. Together I hope to assist in bringing your experiences into visibility, in a space that is hopefully affirming, collaborative, liberating, and transformative.

Outside of work I play card games with friends, enjoy reading and watching new shows with my partner at home, cooking the latest TikTok trends, and I also knit scarfs for holiday gifts throughout the year. Our current pet is a rather misunderstood hairless Sphinx cat.

How I work,

Session to session my clients usually notice that my style is different from other counselors they’ve met. I tend to be more interactive, and you get to see who I am not just as a therapist but as a person. As we get to know each other and feel trust between us, we will explore your current life, memories, and emotions at your pace, in a space that we built together. I see my role as gently offering my observations, even if they may be difficult to hear and against the invisible social rules that bind us. We use the clinical relationship as a place of experimentation, exploring a new way of being, trying out new skills, and connecting more deeply with ourselves and others.

Holding and understanding emotional pain, joy, and the intersectionality of your identities are the overarching goals of my work. I typically see these relationship building goals in a frame that is decolonized, emphasizes the importance of community, connection, nature, and authenticity. As we work to hopefully create healing and therapeutic momentum, I will help guide your growth outside of sessions as you live your life with greater intention. I typically see the greatest change with effort both inside and outside my office.

The types of activities we may encounter are storytelling, creative emotional expression, meditation and grounding, sensory reflection, trauma focused processing, bibliotherapy for those who enjoy structure, and courageous exploration of important identities. I also see myself as an advocate for your emotional well-being and strive to provide gender affirming services, such as letter writing and assessment, as well as referral services for other needs you may have. At the end of your sessions, if there is a question that baffles us, I will work through my connections to help guide us towards the goals we identify.