LGBTQ+

Our identities are complex. Age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, spiritual or political affiliation (and myriad other factors) inform not only who we are, but also what we value, how we interpret the behavior of others, and how we perceive our place in the world. Some aspects of our identities are a given, such as our ethnicity, while others are changeable, such as our political affiliation.
 

Some aspects of our identities might not be evident at first – even to ourselves. After all, we can’t say we “identify” with something until we know it exists. Sometimes we assume we are a certain way, or believe a certain thing, because that’s the only point of view we’ve ever heard; but when we discover something new, and have something to compare it to, we realize it doesn’t fit for us.

Our experiences shape and change us as we navigate life, and the way others respond to us, good, bad, or indifferent, influences our sense of self. If some parts of our identity – such as our spiritual path, our sexual orientation, our gender identity/expression, or our relationship style – are stigmatized, or are viewed as being “sick” or "abnormal" by others, developing a healthy sense of self can be really difficult.
Managing experiences of discrimination, bias, and erasure can feel overwhelming.

You are who you are. It’s not my job (or anyone else’s) to tell you who you *should* be; my job is to help you discover your deepest, truest, most authentic self, and let that be the light that guides you into who you are becoming.

Tell me who you are, and what your life looks like from your point of view – right now, in this moment – and help me understand your vision for what comes next. Together, we can create a plan to move you toward that vision.

Whether you are out-and-proud, confused-and-questioning, or somewhere in-between, when you come to me for counseling, you will find a safe, supportive, affirming space where you can explore all aspects of your identity without criticism or judgment.