LGBTQIA

You’ve been on a difficult journey longer than most people know.

It’s been hard, having to hide, being rejected, feeling different, and having to wonder who will accept you, who it is safe to talk to. You’ve already been through so much, and now you are ready to take the next step toward being the person you were always meant to be.

Maybe something is getting in the way. You’ve faced obstacles that make your struggles very understandable…the heterosexism and oppression you have experienced have produced shame and have been traumatizing. You’ve felt the pain of rejection by people you thought you could trust the most, the confusion and self-doubt created by covert judgement and discrimination. You may be struggling with depression, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, relationship issues, misuse of substances, or a host of other issues. It’s understandable.

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you may already feel confident and comfortable with who you are but could use some support for the unique challenges you face caused by the intolerance of others in our society: the discrimination, bullying, microaggressions, and stigma you must deal with so frequently. You may be dealing with unfair housing policies, workplace and career issues, or parenting and adoption difficulties.

We know how hard it can be to reach out for help.

We’d like to offer you a safe space, free of judgment, where you can talk openly and honestly about all aspects of yourself. Where you will find openness, acceptance, validation, and affirmation. Where you will truly be seen, cared for, and accepted for all of who you are, enabling you to sort through the hurt, anger, sadness, and betrayal that have led you to find relief in ways that are less helpful to you now. To find safety and room to grow and create meaningful change.

We can help teens, young adults, middle adults, older adults, and couples with issues around :

• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity
• Coming out
• Relationship concerns
• Spiritual and religious concerns
• Parenting issues
• Trauma

At Life Counseling Institute, our therapists will guide you become aware of the strengths and resilience that already reside within you, to develop the self-compassion and self-acceptance you need to live fully, joyously, and completely. To be true to yourself and authentic in your interactions with others.

Counseling can help you

• Sort through past events and figure out how they have impacted your life in the present
• Heal from shame and develop a compassionate understanding of yourself
• Develop self-care strategies for managing your emotional and mental health in positive ways
• Sort through work and career challenges
• Manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors more effectively
• Communicate effectively with others
• Navigate complex relationships with confidence

Couples and Family Therapy

We offer individual, couples, and family therapy for our LGBTQ+ clients. For couples therapy, we use emotion-focused therapy (EFT), which can help you and your partner extricate yourself from repetitive cycles in your relationship that cause pain and help you communicate in ways in which you can feel supported and cared for by your partner. Learn more about EFT couples therapy here.

LGBTQ+ family therapy can help you navigate some of the complicated family dynamics that you are likely dealing with. Whether it’s the shame of being hidden or the fear of being judged or rejected, family relationships can be uniquely challenging for LGBTQ+ individuals. You may have had a falling out with your family after coming out, or be tired of living a double life and wondering if it is time to do so. We can help you deal with the pain and fear that are holding you back so that you can move through the world with greater ease.