Max Besterman (he / they) is a clinical psychology trainee and master’s student at Antioch University Los Angeles, specializing in trauma, and working toward a license in Marriage and Family Therapy. Max is queer, pansexual, non-conforming, and neurodivergent, and engages with others from a compassionate, non-judgmental, and accepting positionality Max embraces complexity, contradictions, and intersecting identities while holding space for the impact of trauma, adversity, cultural context, social environment, and systems of oppression on a person’s mental wellness. They strive to build a practice that is free of pathology and shame, in which no subject is off-limits, and all parts of self are honored. Max believes wholeheartedly that, while our genes and our experiences may shape us, they do not define us, and it is ultimately for our wise, true Self to collaboratively engage on who we are and how we respond to life’s challenges and triumphs. Max enjoys writing and performing poetry, music, improv comedy, playing video and tabletop games, devouring horror novels and films, practicing yoga, and rock climbing.