A mission to center authenticity, healing & belonging for neurodivergent* + queer, trans, & non-binary people
includes our community of providers, too.
MEET OUR RESIDENT THERAPISTS
evan white (they/them), MSW, Supervisee in Social Work
Resident Therapist
As a Resident Therapist, evan collaborates with The Properties of Light to provide individual and group counseling services for neurodivergent and/or lgbtqia+ folks ages 18+. They are designated a Supervisee in Social Work by the Virginia Department of Health Professions - meaning they will engage in 2-4 years of post-master's clinical practice while under supervision in order to obtain their LCSW credential. Evan provides clinical social work services at The Properties of Light under the clinical supervision of Licensed Clinical Social Workers(LCSWs), Camille Rudney and Rachel Boggan.
evan in their own words:
As a therapist and social worker, my goal is for clients to feel seen, heard, and celebrated. I am a white, fat, non-binary, transmasc, and neurodivergent person, and I firmly believe in the power of collaboration and storytelling in the therapeutic relationship, especially as a means of processing past experiences, cultivating community, and shaping the future. My aim is to help you understand the systems in which you exist, investigate the ways in which you are impacted by those systems, and explore ways to creatively reimagine your life. My passion lies in abolition, fat liberation, polyamory, and queer joy.
I received my Masters in Social Work with a concentration in clinical practice from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2023, where I gained experience in reproductive rights and care for those who are grieving and/or LGBTQ2IA+ identifying. As an individual therapist, I work with adults experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, minority stress, and burnout. I also enjoy working with people who are questioning, exploring, and/or unpacking their neurodivergency and/or their queerness. I take a neurodiversity-affirming and person-centered approach.
What brings me the most joy in this life is sitting outside with friends over a blanket of snacks and bubbly water, listening to the entirety of a really good album, and watching the sun set over a landscape. I hope to learn what brings you joy, too.
Ruby Tippl (they/them), MSW, Supervisee in Social Work
Resident Therapist
As a Resident Therapist, Ruby collaborates with The Properties of Light to provide individual and group counseling services for neurodivergent and/or lgbtqia+ folks ages 18+ in Virginia. They are designated as a Supervisee in Social Work by the Virginia Department of Health Professions - meaning they will engage in 2-4 years of post-master's clinical practice while under supervision in order to obtain their LCSW credential. Ruby provides clinical social work services at The Properties of Light under the clinical supervision of Licensed Clinical Social Worker(LCSW), Rachel Boggan.
Ruby in their own words:
Seeking therapy can be a daunting task- especially for those of us who hold historically marginalized identities. As a nonbinary, neurodivergent therapist, I want my clients to feel empowered to seek support, accommodations, and solutions that work with their unique identities and neurotypes. I firmly believe that my role as a social worker does not begin and end in the therapy office. In my practice, I also aim to recognize and unpack the effects of systemic oppression (racism, capitalism, ableism, etc.) on my clients, my community, and the field of social work itself.
I offer short term (1-3 hour) education sessions for folks who are looking to understand and develop strategies for their own neurodivergence, as well as more traditional long term counseling. My approach is non-pathologizing and disability positive - my goal isn’t to “fix” or “cure” my neurodivergent clients. Rather, I aim to highlight their strengths, collaborate with them to create an accessible therapy space, and empower them to advocate for their unique needs and desires.
My previous work experience includes individual therapy with queer/trans folks and harm reduction programs in community health settings. I graduated Virginia Commonwealth University in 2021 with a Master’s in Social Work, and am currently pursuing licensure under the supervision of Rachel Boggan, LCSW.
A few fun facts about me: I am a devoted cat parent, have a fondness for cheesy reality TV, and love textile crafts of all kind!
Supervisee in Social Work, VA #0906012696
Emmin Bickford (they/them), MSW
Resident Therapist
As a Resident Therapist, Emmin collaborates with The Properties of Light to provide individual and group counseling services for neurodivergent and/or lgbtqia+ youth and young adults. They are designated as a Supervisee in Social Work by the Virginia Department of Health Professions - meaning they will engage in 2-4 years of post-master's clinical practice while under supervision in order to obtain their LCSW credential. Emmin provides clinical social work services at The Properties of Light under the clinical supervision of Licensed Clinical Social Workers(LCSWs), Camille Rudney and Rachel Boggan.
Emmin in their own words:
What is the source of your joy? My style focuses on working collaboratively to explore what makes you, you. In my therapeutic approach, I look to unpack any anxiety, shame, or fear to understand what inside you is asking to be heard, embraced, and uplifted. As a nonbinary and neurodivergent therapist, my goal is to encourage my clients to honor all parts of themselves and to navigate self-discovery with nonjudgmental curiosity. I believe that my clients know best about the systems in their lives and within themselves and use a supportive approach rooted in humanistic theories to walk alongside them towards their goals in transformation or acceptance.
I believe that sustainable healing takes place where there is play, art, movement, imagination, and nourished hope. I received my Master of Social Work with a concentration in clinical practice from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2023. My background includes working with those who have experienced interpersonal violence and those who are navigating complex trauma, identity exploration, or attachment-based obstacles. I support clients in the ways they feel empowered to attribute meaning in their lives and embrace clients within all relationship types, structures, and dynamics. My hope is that through a collaborative process together, my clients can foster their hope and resilience to harness joy within themselves and within the meaningful relationships they share.
In my personal time, I enjoy being in nature, playing board games and video games, and learning how to make a new tea or espresso drink!
Rachel Boggan (they/she), MSW, LCSW, ADHD-CCSP
Licensed Therapist & Diagnostic Evaluation Provider
Clinical Supervisor, Consultant, & Owner
I am the person behind the Properties of Light, LLC. The properties of light is the product of my own journey of (un)learning and acceptance, and the accompanying process of intentionally integrating my "selves" - my professional expertise as an educator and clinical social worker, and my lived experiences as a non-binary + neuroqueer person, partner, and parent.
I offer clinical services including individual and group counseling for queer, trans, & non-binary + autistic & multiply neurodivergent young people up to age 12, and autistic-centered diagnostic evaluation services for autism (and/or adhd) for people of all ages. I also offer consultation & resource mapping sessions, develop and facilitate workshops and trainings, and am able to provide clinical supervision for social workers pursuing clinical social work licensure. I am currently licensed in Virginia and New York.
For more on my approach to affirming and inclusive diagnostic evaluation services - click here!
For more on my consultative & training offerings - click here!
My approach to therapy is youth-led, and the focus is on joining, supporting, and (un)learning with young people navigating the path to self-knowledge, authenticity and radical self-love. I believe fully in the power of multi-generational wisdom, and that play offers a unique pathway to transformative change for people of all ages.
I trust young people to guide the work we do together, and provide opportunities for exploration, acceptance, and growth through creative, artistic, play and sensory based interventions. My work is trauma-aware, rooted in an intersectional, anti-bias framework, and is largely guided by an integration of attachment, polyvagal, and relational-cultural theories, as well as the internal family systems model.
When not in this space, I can be found reading anything and everything, trying to learn all I can about this world while attempting to find my place in it - guided daily by the young people in my love and care.
Board Approved LCSW Supervisor, Virginia
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, VA #0904010780
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, NY #094611