Angela Brooks-Livingston, LCMHCS, LCAS, CCS

Angela Brooks-Livingston (they/she) is an activist, passionate about healing, and is critical of the systems created for healing in Western society. They identify as a queer, genderqueer feminist therapist who believes the manifestation of symptoms is a cry from the soul for deep healing. 

Angela graduated from Judson College in 2003 and after spending time in life, she returned to school to train as a counselor. They graduated from Appalachian State University in 2011 and worked in community mental health with adults and youth who were seeking healing from conditions such as trauma, substance use, depression, anxiety, and family distress. They specialize in working with queer clients, particularly gender expansive clients. Angela believes the difficulties gender expansive folkx experience are because of the societal binary gender system. You are not struggling with your gender identity, you are struggling in a world that does not validate your experience. They recognize the lasting effects of religious trauma for queer folx and provide a safe space for soul healing. Angela approaches therapy from a feminist therapy, liberation psychology, and  social justice perspective. She honors the intersections of clients’ identities while also recognizing the oppression from the systems that drive disconnection from community. They empower clients in session to advocate for self along with calling out injustices within the counseling field. 

Outside of Widening Circles, Angela trains counselors through adjunct teaching work and as an ACEP provider through the National Board of Certified Counselors. They also provide licensure supervision for associate licensed clinicians. She is actively involved in the North Carolina Counseling Association and uses her involvement to be vocal about changes needed in the mental health field. 

In other areas of their life, Angela is a partner and a mom, and enjoys camping with their family and dog. She likes to work puzzles, read, listen to music, watch British television, and bake.