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LGBTQ+ Therapy in the San Francisco Bay Area

Looking To Improve Your Mental Health Related to Your LGBTQ+ Identity?

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  • Have you been dealing with anxiety or depression related to your LGBTQ+ identity?

  • Deep down, do you wish you had a more accepting community of people around you?

  • Are you struggling with low self-worth due to body image issues or gender dysphoria?

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​Maybe you recently came out to your family, but not all of them accept you for who you are. Perhaps there’s discrimination in your workplace and you feel like you’re constantly on guard around others. Everyday social interactions may become minefields of potential judgment, and your relationships may be impacted by having to hide so many parts of your identity. The constant need to look out for yourself and monitor your actions can get exhausting and lead to burnout. As a result, you may be thinking that it’s time to work with an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist.

You Might Struggle With Self-Acceptance Or Relationship Issues

Maybe you’ve already navigated the coming out process, but there are still mental health challenges you’d like to address. Internalized homophobia or transphobia may be getting in the way of your ability to accept yourself. Unresolved trauma from past experiences of rejection or discrimination might be hindering your ability to feel safe in your relationships.

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On the other hand, maybe you just want to explore your identity on a deeper level and wish you had a supportive person who could help you with that. Or perhaps you’re interested in polyamory or consensual non-monogamy, but you don’t know how to bring that topic up with your partner.​

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Regardless of your challenges, I am confident that I can help. As an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist, I specialize in helping people work through issues regarding sexuality and gender identity. And as a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, I believe I can relate to your challenges in a deep and meaningful way.

Have A Question About LGBTQ+ Therapy? Send Me A Message!

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Many LGBTQ+ Folx Are Wrestling with Mental Health Issues

Studies have consistently shown that queer individuals struggle with anxiety and depression at nearly twice the rate of their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts.* None of this is surprising when you consider the ongoing discrimination and prejudice against LGBTQ+ folx in our society. They often have to deal with family rejection, religious discrimination, inadequate healthcare, and all kinds of heteronormative expectations.

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What’s more, people with an LGBTQ+ identity often have grown up with few relationship models to look up to. And while there are more relationship models for queer relationships in our current reality, there is still a lack of LGBTQ+ representation in media and in leadership roles. So for a lot of LGBTQ+ folx, it can feel like they’re starting from scratch when it comes to their relationships.

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The LGBTQ+ Community Faces Many Barriers To Getting The Help They Need

Many LGBTQ+ individuals have learned to rely on themselves for protection, making it hard to seek help. In the San Francisco Bay Area where I practice, this emphasis on self-reliance is especially prevalent. Many people also harbor an internalized stigma surrounding their mental health, sexual orientation, or gender identity, and that can create barriers to getting adequate care. On top of that, finding affirming, knowledgeable therapists can be difficult.

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As someone who is a part of the LGBTQ+ community, I understand what it feels like to be an outsider longing for someone who understands and can empathize with you. And I’ve also spent years providing mental health care for people seeking to heal and embrace who they are with kindness and love. From the sum of these experiences, I am confident that I can provide the knowledge and support you need to thrive.

LGBTQ+ Friendly Therapy Can Help Folx Create A Life That Reflects Who They Really Are

While the challenges you face are real, so is your capacity for growth, joy, and authentic living. Many LGBTQ+ individuals find that therapy helps them not only overcome obstacles, but thrive in ways they never imagined possible. Through our work together, you will be able to develop a deeper sense of self-acceptance, build meaningful relationships, and create a life that truly reflects who you are. Remember: your identity is not just a source of struggle, but also of strength, resilience, and a unique perspective.

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I am passionate about providing therapy for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer folks and offering skills that are tailored uniquely to each individual and their challenges in life. I also specialize in relationship counseling for LGBTQ+ people navigating polyamory or consensual non-monogamy, as I recognize the importance of working with nontraditional relationship structures.

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Therapy Notes

What To Expect In LGBTQ+ Therapy Sessions

In our sessions, we'll explore your unique experiences, challenges, and strengths as an LGBTQ+ individual. We'll discuss how your identity intersects with other aspects of your life, including work, relationships, and family. The long-term goals of counseling can include developing a stronger sense of self, improving relationships, navigating coming out processes, addressing trauma, or advocating for yourself in various settings.

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I will teach you techniques for increasing self-acceptance and positive identity affirmation as well as mindfulness practices for managing minority stress. Additionally, I will equip you with strategies for coming out and setting boundaries with friends and family.

You’ll gain communication skills for LGBTQ+ specific relationships and self-advocacy skills for other areas of your life including the workplace. Most importantly, I feel that LGBTQ+ therapy can serve as a springboard for community building and support network development. When you feel loved and supported, it is so much easier to manage the ups and downs of life and stay calm and grounded, even if the world around you feels stressful or hostile.

You May Have Some Questions About LGBTQ+ Therapy…

Will you really understand my experiences?

While I may not share every aspect of your experience, I'm deeply committed to creating a safe, affirming space where you can explore your unique journey. Our sessions are collaborative—I'll listen without judgment and invite you to be completely honest and open. My firsthand understanding of LGBTQ+ experience, combined with my professional training, allows me to offer informed and empathetic support.

I’m not out in all areas of my life. Will LGBTQ+ therapy pressure me to come out?

No, it won’t—there’s no pressure to come out in therapy or elsewhere. We'll explore your feelings about being out in different contexts, but all decisions are yours. Our goal is to help you feel comfortable with yourself, whether you're out to everyone or only a select few.

What if my issues aren’t all related to being LGBTQ+?

I recognize that your LGBTQ+ identity doesn’t define every aspect of your life or challenge that you face. That’s why I take a holistic approach, seeing each client as a whole person with many unique and complex parts. We’ll address the concerns you bring forward, whether they’re directly related to your identity or not.

You Deserve Acceptance, Affirmation, And Unconditional Support

As a LGBTQ+ counselor, I’m here to provide those things while giving you real-life skills for building relationships and improving your emotional wellbeing. To learn more about my approach, I invite you to book a free 15-minute phone or video consultation with me.

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*LGBT Adults Report Anxiety, Depression During Pandemic (census.gov)

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Get Started with an LGBTQ+ Therapist in San Francisco

 

Also offering online LGBTQ+ friendly therapy across the Bay Area and California. 

211 Gough St #115, San Francisco, CA 94102

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