Affirming care for all in the LGBTQIA+ ACRONYM.

Counseling for LGBTQIA+ Community in NJ, CT, FL, & VT

Have you ever felt uncomfortable explaining your gender or sexuality to a therapist?

As a cis queer femme, I have had my share of uncomfortable interactions with mental health providers (and people in general) who didn’t understand my identity or had incorrect assumptions myself or my family.

I know from lived and professional experience that every LGBTQIA+ person has their own unique experience of what their identity means.

Whether you have been out for 30 years, or are just starting to question your gender or sexuality, you deserve care that recognizes and embraces your unique strengths and authentic self.

Commit to loving yourself completely. It’s the most radical thing you will do in your lifetime.

-Andrea Gibson

LGBTQIA+ affirming care for everyone in the acronym.

Whether you are seeking counseling for issues related to your gender or sexuality, or you are seeking counseling for anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief, or life transitions…you are in the right place.

Maybe you are tired of feeling misunderstood and overwhelmed or you are feeling stuck and lost in a mix of emotions and confusion. Together we will figure out a plan to empower you and clear out old “stuff” to create space for balance and authenticity.

LGBTQ affirming online therapy in NJ, VT, FL
LGBTQIA+ therapy 
  • Support in the questioning or coming out process for gender or sexuality
  • Assessments/Letters for gender affirming care
  • Grief counseling
  • Trauma treatment related to homophobia or transphobia
  • Parenting support for LGBTQIA+ parents 
  • Guidance for parents of LGBTQIA+ children 
  • Affirming care for CNM, Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Mixed Orientation Marriages

Transgender and Non-Binary Support

Although we are all lumped in to the same acronym, sexuality and gender are very separate identity markers. It’s important for transgender and non-binary people to work with providers who understand that your experience of your gender is unique to you (and that for many people gender is not binary). It’s exhausting enough to live in cis-normative world. The therapy room should be a space where you don’t have to explain your pronouns and gender identity again and again. I have extensive training in providing affirming trans care, and I adhere to the current WPATH guidelines. I provide support to people who are:

  • exploring their gender

  • socially and/or medically transitioning

  • non-binary and defining their gender identity and expression

  • healing from transphobia, religious harm or other trauma

  • trans/non-binary and seeking mental health care unrelated to gender

  • coming out to friends and family

Have you ever searched:

How do I know if I am gay, lesbian, or bisexual?

How do I know if I am transgender or non-binary?

If so, you are in the right place.

It can be really scary to question your gender identity or sexuality, especially if you are already well established in your life and the “story” of who you are. Therapy is a safe and confidential place to begin to unpack all the questions spinning in your head and get a better sense of direction and find balance.

Frequently asked questions about LGBTQIA+ Affirming counseling

FAQs

  • First- I believe that providing affirming care requires a lifetime of radical honesty, education, and growth. My lived experience as an LGBTQIA+ person is only one part of the equation.

    I have extensive training in LGBTQIA+ topics, bias, and culturally responsive anti-oppressive practices in therapy and have provided trainings on LGBTQIA+ affirming care in music therapy both nationally and internationally since 2011.

    I have co-authored five academic book chapters, two peer reviewed journal articles, and 1 E-Course on LGBTQIA+ topics including the intersection of bisexuality and gender, providing LGBTQIA+ competent supervision, research on attitudes of music therapists towards the LGBTQ community, and social justice.

  • Absolutely. Many of my clients are exploring gender or sexuality when they start therapy. You don’t have to define yourself in th acronym to benefit from affirming care.

  • I do not work with children. I see clients who are 18 and up.

  • Absolutely. I have worked with many families with education and resources to support parents and caregivers in this area.

  • Check out my FAQ page and feel free to contact me for a 15 minute free consultation. Learn more.