Z. Hamilton Avery, LMSW, MSW (U/S), LMT, CYT-1,000, TIYT (he/they) is a queer and non-binary therapist, health educator, wellness coach, body and energy worker, yoga and meditation teacher, and abstract artist in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to having obtained over a dozen certifications in various modalities of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), Z holds an associate’s degree in pre-nursing studies, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a master’s degree in social work. When supporting clients and students, Z takes a humanistic, person-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed approach. Their practice is grounded in compassion, harm reduction, inclusivity, social justice, and evidence-based interventions. Ultimately, Z’s mission is to provide a safe and non-judgmental space for adolescents (13+) and adults who are navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, pain, chronic illness, and suicidal ideation.

Understanding that mental health is interconnected with many other facets of life, Z takes a holistic approach to therapy. Knowing that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment, he strives to honor the uniqueness of each client by custom-tailoring his approach to best meet the needs, preferences, and goals of each individual. For this reason, Z believes that it is imperative to be cross-trained in many different treatment approaches. As a therapist, they utilize a variety of cognitive, behavioral, somatic, expressive, and mindfulness-based interventions. As a body and energy worker, Z is certified to practice massage therapy, Thai yoga massage, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, and reiki. They are also certified in both Chinese and Japanese styles of acupuncture. After completing more than 1,000 hours of accredited yoga teacher training (primarily in India), Z is certified to teach various styles of yoga, including Hatha, Kundalini, yin, and restorative.

Between bodywork, yoga, coaching, and therapy, Z has worked with thousands of clients since 2010. Over the past few years, Z has worked in non-profit programs that serve a variety of vulnerable populations, including people who are rural, low-income, adolescents, elders, and trauma survivors; people of all races, sexualities, and genders (or lack thereof); people living with serious mental illness (SMI) and chronic sexually transmitted infections (STIs); and people experiencing homelessness, psychosis, and mental/behavioral crises. Z has worked widely across the state of Oklahoma, offering telephone, telehealth, office-based, school-based, and community-based services. Currently, Z is a trauma and crisis therapist offering sessions, classes, groups, workshops, retreats, and trainings in outpatient and community-based settings. He also researches and writes about topics including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, self-care, mindfulness, self-compassion, holistic health and well-being, CAM, HIV/AIDS, suicidality, and issues related to the Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, plus (2SLGBTQIA+) community.