LGBTQIA-Affirming Therapy
Your journey is as unique as you are.
Not everyone fits in the box of straight, cisgender, or within the binary.
And that’s cool – and valid – and beautiful.
I mean really – who wants to fit in a box?
But it isn’t always easy to be who you are.
There are extra challenges for the LGBTQIA community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Queer, Intersex, Asexual).
And there are additional layers of stress because of those challenges.
Social and/or family rejection, verbal and physical bullying, harassment, sexual assault, and threats to basic needs like housing, employment, education, and human rights are all challenges to overcome.
Yikes!
You may not have the support you need.
Whether it is your family, friends, faith, culture, or society, a lack of support can leave lasting and devastating consequences to your sense of self and how you view your place in the world.
It’s hard not to internalize the negative beliefs, ideas, and comments that tell us we are wrong, sick, disgusting, or sinful.
And when you do seek support, it isn’t always great.
You may have had a previous therapist who brought their biases and phobias into the therapy space, causing you harm. If that is the case, I am so sorry.
Negative experiences can make seeking help more difficult.
But it is the lack of safety that increases the impact on our mental health, not who we are.
And I think at least some part of you knows that because you are here.
We all need help sometimes.
You deserve a safe and affirming space.
Affirmative therapy is the belief that all identities are equally valid. I believe this wholeheartedly.
But I know that the world and society we live in doesn’t always share this belief. My approach is to provide a space where you don’t have to defend who you are.
I trust that you know yourself, even if you are still figuring it out or your experiences are fluid.
My goal is to support, hear, and help you figure out what you need to grow and thrive.
You are looking for therapy and just happen to be LGBTQIA.
Sometimes, it isn’t all about being LGBTQIA.
Who you are adds dimension to the story, but what you need is a safe, supportive, affirming space that lets you focus on your depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, grief/loss, or life transitions without having to explain EVERYTHING.
You are looking for therapy because you are LGBTQIA.
In your case, it is all about being LGBTQIA.
Key roles in our daily being are related to how we experience our gender identity, expression, and sexual orientation.
We sometimes internalize the negative crap, affecting how we see ourselves and the world around us.
What if you aren’t sure you fit in the LGBTQIA community?
Then therapy is a great place to sort that out safely.
Not knowing is a confusing and sometimes scary place to be. But it also can be affirming and a relief to know.
So, let’s be curious. Ask some interesting questions. Explore what it means to be you. And let’s see where that takes you.
Coming Out?
This step can be challenging and scary.
Being honest with ourselves and sharing who we are changes things.
The ways they change depends on your current relationships, belief systems, family, and community beliefs.
Therapy provides a tool for maneuvering this change in your life, no matter your age.
And on the other side? It is you – unhidden, free, authentic, amazing.
Family and friends seeking to support a loved one
You want to support your kid (or sibling, spouse, parent, friend, co-worker, etc.). But you are scared, or sad, or even mad.
You try to find the words to be supportive, but it seems like all you do is stick your foot in your mouth – the look of pain on their face cuts like a knife.
It’s time to dig deep into your fears and biases and unlearn the misinformation and phobias around gender and sexuality.
Come find out what you don’t know, challenge your fears, and find your acceptance and love.
Therapy helps affirm who you are.
I offer a safe space, an open mind, a willingness to listen, and a desire to help you process what you feel.
You don’t need to do this alone.