Who I AM

My name is Eugene Berezin. I was born and raised in Moscow, Russia.

At 19, I realized I was gay. I was also a devoted member of a Baptist Evangelical church. My therapist advised me to come out to my pastor because, as a therapist, I could not live a double life or not be honest with myself. I did.

I am a deeply spiritual person upholding an open and affirming view on human sexuality.

I did not have to choose my relationship with my Creator and my sexuality; instead, I decided to leave high-control church and found loving family across open and affirming denominations in the US.

In Russia, that meant I was facing persecution from two directions at once. I could not be openly gay, especially after legislation made gay propaganda illegal. And I could not openly talk about my faith as a religious minority. I was kicked out of high school for inviting a close friend to my faith community.

My career as a clinical psychologist, working with Deaf clients, disabled children and their families, was also at risk. In 2013, I made the decision to relocate to the United States because staying was no longer safe.

In the US, I rebuilt everything. I worked as a youth counselor, case manager, and social work professional. I built a decade-long career in high tech. I know firsthand what it means to perform at a high level in a demanding career while carrying things nobody at work knows about.

In 2022, I went through a divorce. That moment made me stop and question the major decisions of my life. It also led me to start my business. I could not let go of years of education and experience as a therapist, so the most immediate step was getting licensed as a Washington State Registered Hypnotherapist.

My husband and I reconciled. And today I bring everything- the immigration, the faith, the career, the marriage, the divorce, the reconciliation- into this work. I know the intricacies of gay marriage, open relationships, and navigating relationship change not just professionally but personally.

I also hold a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology, and I run a separate business helping therapists build profitable private practices.

I was fortunate enough to find a faith community that did not just tolerate me but celebrated me. I learned what it means to love yourself when the world around you says you shouldn't. That is what I want for my clients.