Therapy for LGBTQ+ Needs
Being LGBTQ+ involves taking on a lot of extra fears & pressures (on top of everything else life already demands)
Whether it’s worrying about safety in certain spaces, feeling pushed to “prove” or explain who you are, or navigating family, school, or a workplace that doesn’t fully accept you, it can be exhausting just to exist as a member of the queer community.
A lot of us have wondered if we’re “too much” or “not enough.” Maybe you’ve carried the unspoken hurt of being rejected or abandoned by people who were supposed to love you unconditionally. Or you’ve kept parts of yourself small for so long that living more openly now feels unfamiliar.
You don’t have to shrink, mask, or over-explain here, because I’m queer too, and this is a fully affirming practice. Whether you’re out, questioning, private, or still finding language, who you are will be met with respect and care.
Recognizing the Challenges LGBTQ+ Folks Face
Identity stress and self-discovery
Navigating labels, expression, and fluidity while trying to “get it right”
Feeling pressure to define yourself before you’re ready
Worrying that coming out (or coming out again) might change relationships
Family and relationship struggles
Experiencing rejection, silence, or conditional acceptance at home
Navigating boundaries with family members who don’t understand
Wanting relationships where you’re loved for all of who you are
School, work, or community challenges
Microaggressions, discrimination, or outright hostility in daily life
Feeling unsafe in public spaces or organizations
Carrying the weight of advocacy and education when you’re already tired
Mental health impacts
Internalized homophobia, biphobia, or transphobia
Shame, self-doubt, or people-pleasing patterns from years of masking
Depression, anxiety, or burnout that doesn’t lift with “just a break”
How I Help
My work with the queer community is rooted in affirmation, safety, and respect. Often, our work centers on recognizing ways that you’ve been told, either directly or indirectly, that “you don’t belong”, “there’s something wrong with you”, or “you’re the problem”. Beyond acknowledging those messages you’ve received, we look at how those messages have impacted your life and have caused harm, leaving behind ambiguous wounds that are harder to name, but just as real to heal from.
In therapy, we might work on:
Processing the wounds of rejection, invalidation, or conditional love
Untangling internalized shame, guilt, or self-doubt
Exploring identity, expression, and relationships in a safe and affirming way
Strengthening self-worth, boundaries, and advocacy skills
Building resilience so joy can spread unafraid, even alongside life’s challenges
I often integrate:
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) or Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) for healing painful memories—like bullying, rejection, or similar traumas
Internal Family Systems (IFS) to explore and care for the parts of you that learned to mask, hide, or silence themselves to keep you safe
Sandtray Therapy when words feel heavy and you need creative, external ways to express what’s inside
Whether you’re out, questioning, exploring, or not ready to share your identity widely, there’s no need to prove anything with me, you’re valid.
What Healing Can Look Like
Healing doesn’t mean pretending the world is always kind, because frankly, it isn’t. This journey involves stepping into your own strengths, so you can decide how to respond in the face of ugliness, rather than reacting from a place that fears that what those ugly words say is, in any way, true.
It can look like:
Trusting that your identity is real and valid without needing anyone’s approval
Building relationships where you are fully seen and respected
Feeling proud of who you are, instead of carrying shame or secrecy
Creating a life that supports your values, needs, and dreams
Finding a sense of belonging within yourself, your community, and your future
You Deserve Support that Affirms You
You were never “too much”, and you don’t have to justify who you are to deserve love, safety, and respect. I’ll encourage you to take up as much space as you need, unapologetically.