LGBTQIA+ Counseling

Don’t let hiding become the norm.

Fear and shame are feelings felt by people whose sexual orientations and genders don’t fit the “norm.”

When you hide your sexual orientation, trying to fit into societal norms or denying your genuine self can often lead to hiding other essential parts of yourself.

Dealing with these issues is hard enough without having to worry about whether you will feel accepted, safe, and understood in therapy.

What is LBGTQ-affirmative therapy?

It is an approach to therapy that regards sexual and gender minority members as healthy and normal. It strives to help members of the LGBTQ community embrace their identities and accept themselves as they are.

Given the long history of discrimination and prejudice experienced by many LGBTQ people, it’s common to experience shame and self-judgment. These feelings often get in the way of living full, happy lives.

While I enjoy working with people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, I am a member of the LGBTQ community and have specific expertise in working with LGBTQ people and their concerns.

In therapy, I help you accept and integrate those parts of yourself that may have felt unacceptable. This acceptance leads to healing and a sense of “wholeness.”

“But I’m more than just my sexuality or gender.”

Although there’s much more to you than your sexual orientation or gender, it’s important to feel understood and accepted in therapy.

It’s hard enough dealing with anxiety, depression, stressful circumstances, or relationship problems without the fear of being judged, pathologized, or misunderstood in therapy.

Of course, just because I am a part of the LGBTQ community, too, it doesn’t mean I’ll understand everything about you. But my goal is to create a safe and accepting space where you can share your story and explore your thoughts and feelings together.

“What if I want to come to therapy, but it doesn’t concern LGBTQ issues?”

Many LGBTQ people enter therapy for the same reasons everyone else enters therapy. You may be anxious or depressed or are going through a difficult breakup, trying to figure out career choices, etc. These are issues that affect almost everyone, regardless of LGBTQ status.

But unfortunately, many LGBTQ people arrive in therapy with an added layer of shame and sometimes trauma related to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

How family members respond to coming out, how you experience society’s expectations, and to what extent you’ve felt accepted and “acceptable” can inform other aspects of yourself.

All are welcome.

If you’re seeking support to explore issues unique to the LGBTQ community – like navigating a coming-out process, clarifying identity issues, or dealing with relationship issues affected by being a minority member – I know I can help you.

If you want to address emotional or life problems in a safe and valid place, I’d be honored to work with you toward your goals.

Ready to take the next step?

Call me at (615) 310-0246 or fill out the contact form.