Therapy for members of the LGBTQIA+ community provides a safe, affirming space where individuals can explore their identities, address challenges, and work toward emotional well-being. Therapy is designed to support individuals across the spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities, including those who are questioning. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community often face unique challenges, such as discrimination, stigma, rejection, and navigating societal or familial acceptance. These factors can contribute to common mental health issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, and minority stress. Anyone who is seeking support with identity exploration, relationship dynamics, or coping with external pressures can benefit from therapy.
Affirmative therapy focuses on validating experiences and empowering individuals to thrive in their personal and social lives. It provides tools to address challenges like internalized stigma, workplace discrimination, and coming out. For many, therapy also fosters resilience, improves self-esteem, and supports mental health through major life transitions or experiences of marginalization. Inclusive, affirming care is essential to reducing disparities in mental health outcomes, promoting healing, and building a stronger sense of self and community.
Gender Identity Exploration
What is it?
Gender identity can be a deeply personal and often complex aspect of your self-understanding. When you feel confusion, distress, or uncertainty about your gender identity, it can significantly impact your mental and emotional well-being. This might involve experiencing gender dysphoria, which is the discomfort or distress caused by a discrepancy between a person’s gender identity and their sex assigned at birth. Therapy provides a supportive space to explore and understand your gender identity, navigate societal and internal pressures, and, if desired, assist in the transition process or in embracing a non-binary or fluid identity. Additionally, therapy offers a space to share and celebrate experiences of gender euphoria: moments of love, connection and expression.
When one needs treatment?
- Feeling confused or uncertain about one's gender identity.
- Experiencing distress related to gender dysphoria.
- Seeking support in transitioning or navigating non-binary or gender-fluid identities.
- Facing discrimination or lack of acceptance related to gender identity, or at the intersection of gender identity and race and/or neurodivergence
Which therapists to see?
Grace Mark, MSW, LCSWA
Kirsten Nyman, LMFTA
James Moran, LCMHCA, NCCHow to schedule a session?
If you are interested in beginning therapy with us, you can BOOK AN APPOINTMENT now.
Sexual Identity Exploration
What is it?
Sexuality is a fundamental aspect of who we are, encompassing our emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction to others (and the range of ways we may or may not experience these in our relationships). Questioning or discovering your experience with a non-heteronormative sexual identity can be a time of significant emotional upheaval. You might experience internal conflicts, fear of societal judgment, or difficulty coming out to loved ones. Therapy can offer a non-judgmental environment to explore these feelings, affirm your sexual identity, and develop strategies for coping with societal pressures or internalized homophobia. It can be a space to explore and deepen your connections to yourself, your community, and your partner(s), fostering a sense of belonging and support.
When one needs treatment?
- Questioning or discovering one's sexual identity
- Experiencing societal or internalized homophobia.
- Facing rejection or discrimination based on sexuality, or at the intersection of sexuality and race and/or neurodivergence
- Seeking support in understanding and embracing one’s sexual identity.
- Navigating relationships and coming out to family and friends.
Which therapists to see?
How to schedule a session?
If you are interested in beginning therapy with us, you can BOOK AN APPOINTMENT now.
Transgender Affirming
What is it?
Transgender affirming therapy is a therapeutic stance centered on affirming and supporting one’s gender identity. Affirming one’s gender involves - Core interventions such as addressing challenges and connecting clients with resources and medical providers, help trans and gender-nonconforming (GNC) folx align their gender identity with various aspects of their lives socially, physically, and emotionally.
Who would benefit from this therapy?
Adults ages 18 and older who are questioning their gender identity, are considering a social and/or medical transition but don’t know where to start, and those who prefer to work with a therapist who is knowledgeable and understanding of issues unique to trans, nonbinary, and GNC people.
Gender Affirming Medical Care Assessment
What is it?
A gender-affirming medical care assessment is a supportive and collaborative evaluation process involving a licensed therapist and transgender, nonbinary, and GNC individuals who are seeking support and access to gender-affirming medical treatments, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or gender reassignment surgeries. This kind of assessment typically involves exploring a client’s gender identity, mental health history, and readiness for gender affirming medical care.
What to expect?
Adults seeking an assessment can expect a supportive, client-centered space where they can discuss their goals, needs, and concerns regarding gender affirming medical treatment(s). Here is what clients can expect in a typical assessment:
- Initial consultation – The therapist will create a safe, affirming space to discuss your reasons for seeking gender-affirming care and to explain the purpose of the assessment.
- Personal history and gender identity exploration – You will have the opportunity to share your gender journey, how you experience your gender identity, and how you believe medical care will support your well-being in the long-term.
- Mental health review – The therapist may ask about mental health history, current emotional well-being, and any support systems that are in place. This step ensures that you have the resources you need to pursue treatment.
- Discussion of goals and readiness – The therapist will explore your goals for seeking care, like HRT or surgery, and assess your understanding of the medical process, potential risks, and likely outcomes.
- Letter of support – Upon request, the therapist will provide a letter of support, if required by a medical care professional, to access treatment. The letter is written in alignment with WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) guidelines.