LGBTQ AFFIRMATIVE THERAPY
Fear and shame are commonly felt by people whose sexual orientations and gender identities or gender expressions don’t fit the “norm.”
Having to hide your sexual orientation, trying to fit into societal norms, or denying who you truly are often leads to hiding other important 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 LGBTQ 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. This often gets 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 concerns.
In therapy, I help you accept and integrate those parts of yourself that may have felt unacceptable. This leads to healing and a sense of “wholeness.”
"BUT I'M MORE THAN JUST MY SEXUALITY OR GENDER"
Although there’s a whole lot 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 we can explore your thoughts and feelings together.
"WHAT IF WHAT I WANT TO ADDRESS IN THERAPY DOESN'T HAVE TO DO WITH 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 break up, or are 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 society’s expectations are experienced, and to what extent you’ve felt accepted and “acceptable” can inform other aspects of yourself.
ALL ARE WELCOME
You may be 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.
Or you may just want a place where you can address emotional or life problems in a place that feels safe and validating.
Whatever your objectives, I’d be honored to work with you toward your goals.
Call me at 510.406.5124 or fill out the contact form.