Hi, Iām Shan Shan (he/they)! I am a trans, neurodivergent, polyamorous Chinese-American gender doula, peer counselor, and facilitator who is deeply committed to decolonization and social justice work.
I have a background working in community mental health, both professionally and through activist and mutual aid projects. I am in loving community with folks with neurodivergence and mental health issues ā and I also experience these issues myself, so I understand what dysregulation feels like, and I have a wide range of tools I can share with you. I also have specific experience working with other People of Color, including folks who have recently immigrated to the United States through my organizing work and my job with Chinese American Service League.
Social justice and mutual aid are very important to me. In 2012, I went through pre-NATO street medicine training in Chicago in preparation for the NATO summit ā one of the first mass actions. Later, I went to Ferguson after Mike Brown was shot to help out as a street medic. In 2014, joined the Chicago Action Medical Collective, and I have been a member since.
I witness and support transformation in people's lives. As a peer counselor, I see myself as a mentor and friend, and a doula and guide through life's transitions and transformations. Through conversations, workshops, and skill sharing, we will explore healing outside of conventional therapy and the medical-industrial complex.
I meet with individuals up to four times a month virtually or in person to offer support around:
Ultimately, my goal is to help people feel joy, expressiveness, self-acceptance, and authenticity through exploring their identities, needs, and desires; connecting them with community and a sense of belonging; and supporting them in developing a constructive analysis of the systems of oppression that may be creating harm in their lives.
My work is for everyone, but I strive to center QTBIPOC* and neurodivergent folks.
I love processing! Through transformational conversations around identity, I help people to:
You'll leave our sessions feeling seen and validated, and with tools, solid political analysis, and a sense of connection and belonging that you can carry with you into your daily life.
Being in community can be a life-changing experience. Whether it's through activism, relationships, volunteering, or through introspection and literature, I can help you find your people and a sense of belonging.
Decolonization work takes a lot of energy, self-education, fucking up, and learning in community. I help people navigate and find ways to resist oppression, colonialism, racism, fascism, patriarchy, problematic institutions, government, rigidity and the gender binary. I work with folks who are healing ancestral trauma and intergenerational wounds.
I have a special interest in working with folks who want to be involved in social justice organizing and mutual aid, and need some help with healing and/or don't know where to start. I also help activists process and manage protest trauma and burnout.
Ready to get started? I'd love to talk to you and hear your story. Feel free to reach out, whether you want coaching or just would like to connect.
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