• Discrimination in terms of jobs or housing
• Bullying
• Intersection of sexuality/gender identity and religious beliefs
• Rejection by family or friends
• Gender policing in public bathrooms
• Prejudice against same-sex/gender variant parents
• “Coming out”
• Relationship abuse and violence
• Sex reassignment surgery
• Internalized shame
• Depression
• Anxiety
• OCD
• Sexual abuse

Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community brings unique challenges in our present society. The past decade has seen a major gain in LGBTQ+ human rights, with the 2015 Supreme Court ruling in favor of same sex marriage, followed by persistent challenging of those human rights ever since. I have worked with individuals across the spectrum on LGBTQ+ identities for the past 15 years.

Gender Identity

There is an intentional misinformation campaign meant to undermine the basic humanity of transgender and non-binary people and strip them of their human rights. An ongoing nationwide narrative lacking any factual basis seeks to make transgender people out to be dangerous. In reality, transgender people are far more likely to be victims of violence than to perpetuate it themselves. According to the Movement Advancement Project, 33% of transgender people now live in states that restrict their access to bathrooms according to their gender. In two of those states, it is considered a criminal offense for a transgender person to use a bathroom that best matches their gender. According to the Human Rights Campaign, 39.4% of LGBTQ+ youth aged 13-17 are now living in states that have banned gender affirming care.

Gender affirming care is safe, necessary, and evidenced based. This onslaught of laws that restrict access to public facilities and gender-affirming care, combined with a campaign to label transgender people as dangerous, creates conditions for which trans people are more at risk for school bullying, workplace discrimination, housing discrimination, depression, anxiety disorders, and suicidal thoughts.

I have worked with many individuals and families over the years to navigate these challenges. I have helped parents to better understand their child’s identity, supported youth in successful social transition, and assisted their families in finding gender affirming medical care when appropriate. I have worked with adults at all stages of transition, social, hormonal, and surgical (top and bottom). Through my work, I have helped individuals whose gender is different than that which they are assigned at birth to flourish.

Sexuality

I have worked with individuals and couples representing the wide range of sexualities and genders that encompass the human experience. From questioning, to coming out to oneself, to coming out to others, to beginning to explore romantic and sexual relationships with others, I have helped individuals at all stages of their sexuality.

Couples for whom one or both people are members of the LGBTQ+ community bring challenges that are unique to that of heterosexual couples. I have worked with LGBTQ+ couples who are both monogamous as well as polyamorous, couples who are childless as well as those who are starting families, and couples who have been together for years as well as those who are just starting out.

I will provide a safe space for you to process and share your feelings. Together we will make a plan to actively reach your goals.  Even if your sexuality or gender is unrelated to your reasons for seeking therapy, but you just want a safe space with an affirming therapist, you’ve come to the right place as well.