LGBTQIA
“If I wait for someone else to validate my existence, it will mean that I’m shortchanging myself.”
- Zanele Muholi
LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on embracing and advocating for diverse sexual & gender identities.
It is much more than just being welcoming & kind to diverse clients. LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy:
Validates clients’ experiences & holds space to explore the complexities of these social identities.
Understands that gender & sexual identities are not a choice & cannot be pathologized or changed.
Holds space to process client experiences of victimization, marginalization, and invalidation.
Seeks to help clients become aware of possible internalized criticisms such as homophobia & transphobia, and work to resolve these incongruent beliefs towards themselves.
Advocates for trans & gender affirming care.
As an allied & queer-identifying therapist...
I am experienced and trained to lead you through the process of identity or processing oppression & marginalization experiences. My goal is to guide these conversations in a way that feels safe & understood.
Some of my most used modalities to provide LGBTQIA+ therapy are: Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Somatic/Experiential interventions. These modalities focus on promoting internal trust & curiosity, calming the autonomic nervous system, psychoeducation, and creating your own value-based behaviors & beliefs.