Affirming therapy for the LGBTQIA+ community in Washintgon and Oregon
“Find out who you are and then do it on purpose.”
Dolly Parton
Are you tired of not being yourself? Constantly worried about what others will say or how they might react if they find out who you really are? Tired of seeing others living authentically and feeling envious of how they dress, how they act, who they’re friends with, who they kiss… Tired of always making that effort to stay small, stay hidden, biting your tongue so they don’t know? So they don’t notice that you’re … different that way? You don’t have to do that anymore, it’s ok.
You’re safe now.
You don’t have to stay small anymore, for anyone. You get to decide what these things mean and what to do about them. If your journey leads you to shouting from the rooftops or making social media content to help others, heck yes we love to see it. Or if it means that this is simply a part of you that you decide to share with only a select few people throughout your life, that’s absolutely ok too. Any choice is the right one if its yours and if it’s a choice made with intention.
Whether you’ve been out for years or are just coming out, are struggling with new changes or questions regarding your sexual preferences or scripts, struggling with the weight of heteronormativity, cisnormativity, or other systemic ways our community is oppressed, or simply want a therapist who gets it, you’ve comes to the right place. Working with a queer therapist can make a big difference as a queer client! There’s a layer of shared experience that helps normalize things and provides certain comforts that are hard to authentically replicate otherwise.
Just like a prism, stepping into the light of your true self gives you a chance to see all of who you are in a new, refracted way that allows a whole range of possibilities that we otherwise might not be able to see. And while I’ll never be the expert on you, I’m beyond excited to meet you and learn how I can help you come out of the darkness and into the light.
LGBTQIA+ Therapy: Into the Light
Finally being able to be yourself,
without fear, without self doubt,
and instead with joy and pride.
LGBTQIA+ Therapy Basics
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Intersectionality is a term first coined in 1989 by American civil rights advocate and leading scholar, Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw. Essentially, intersectionality speaks to the ways that we experience certain parts of our identities simultaneously with other parts of our identities, even if we think of them or speak of them separately.
Gender and sexuality is one example that is talked about as a single, stand alone experience but the range in which you might experience it is vast because of how you embody intersectionality: as a gay person of color, as a queer non-binary differently abled person, as a 2 Spirit lesbian business owner.
Applying intersectionality to therapy helps broaden the way we think about the LGBTQIA+ experience so that it more closely reflects how it’s actually lived - wildly complex and unique.
**While the term is academic and speaks to our experience as it relates to systems of oppression, domination, or discrimination, we are deliberately using it to explore mental health in this context.
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Unfortunately, social systems in America have a long history of discriminating against the LGBTQIA+ in various ways. While equal rights have been gained in some areas, the marginalization of many in our community continues to be substantial and profound including discrimination in housing, healthcare, and other basic needs.
This is why a trauma informed lens with specific training for this unique population is required in order to provide quality, ethical care.
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Whether you’re exploring your sexuality in some way, seeking support for coming out, or needing support because of where someone else is in process with their identity, you’ll find the support you need.
You won’t have to explain every little thing because your therapist is not only queer but highly trained and understands the risks and challenges that come with living your truth full time.
You’ll also have the safety and efficiency of being able to see one therapist instead of two separate clinicians for LGBTQIA+ and trauma work.
Why LGBTQIA+ therapy with me is different:
LGBTQIA+ experience is also framed by our other identities
Understanding that social systems often work against us and can be an ongoing source of trauma
LGBTQIA+ identities can be a big or small part of how we see ourselves
There’s a unique safety when working with an openly queer clinician with highly specialized training
Schedule your consultation today
