LGBTQ+ Counseling

Looking For A Safe Place To Talk About LGBTQ+ Identity?

Growing up and trying to sort out who you are is hard enough. Doing it while feeling like the world wants to marginalize or even target you can be exhausting. 

Maybe you’ve caught yourself thinking, Why can’t I just be “normal”? or If I pretend to be straight or cis, maybe this will get easier. 

On top of that, you may face discrimination, microaggressions, or open prejudice that leave you feeling isolated and doubting your worth. Over time, anxiety, depression, and internalized shame can start to feel like your “default setting,” even though a big part of you just wants to live openly and feel at home in your own skin.

If You’re A Parent Seeking LGBTQ-Affirmative Therapy For Your Child…

You may also be reading this, thinking, My child just came out…now what? Part of you might hope it’s a phase, while another part wonders if you did something wrong. 

You may worry about how your church, extended family, or community will respond, especially if your beliefs seem to clash with your child’s identity. At the same time, you don’t want your child to be lonely, bullied, or carrying secret shame. It’s a lot to hold, and it’s normal to feel unsure or scared about how to respond in a loving way.

The good news is you don’t have to have it all figured out already. Whether you’re seeking counseling for yourself or your family, LGBTQ+ affirming therapy can offer a safe place to ask hard questions, get clear information, and get compassionate, unbiased support.

Have any questions? Send me a message!

Why Understanding LGBTQ+ Identity Can Feel So Hard

Even as an adult, understanding who you are takes time, so it’s okay if sorting out your identity has felt confusing, lonely, or even scary. 

If you’re like many people, you may have learned early on to hide parts of yourself in order to avoid rejection or feel safe. Instead of expressing what you really think or how you feel, you probably spend a lot of time masking behaviors, hiding emotions, and biting your tongue—it’s exhausting and demoralizing. 

Keeping important pieces of yourself secret can make friendships, dating, and even everyday life feel like you’re always performing. On top of that, you’re still juggling school, work, family, and all the usual life transitions—all things that LGBTQ+ therapy can help you navigate.

Making Sense Of Your Child’s LGBTQ+ Identity As A Parent

If you’re a parent, it’s also understandable if your child’s coming out has shaken the picture you once had of their future. You may worry about their safety, your faith community’s response, or what this means for holidays, weddings, and grandkids. 

The truth is, your child likely wrestled with these questions long before they spoke up, watching other families’ reactions and gauging if it was safe to tell you. Both of you are carrying big feelings and fears, likely without much of a roadmap to guide you.

LGBTQ+ counseling can give you and your family a place to slow down, ask honest questions, and learn new ways of relating. With support from an affirming LGBTQ+ therapist, it’s possible to move from confusion and anxiety toward deeper understanding, stronger relationships, and a more hopeful path forward—together.

LGBTQ+ Therapy With A Therapist Who Truly Understands

Everyone deserves a place where they can exhale and just be themselves. In LGBTQ+ therapy, that means having room to sort through your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without worrying that you’ll be judged, corrected, or rejected for who you are. 

At It All Connects Counseling, that’s the kind of environment we work hard to create—an LGBTQ+ -affirming space where your story is honored and your identity is respected.

How Can You Be Sure I’ll Be Able To Understand And Help?

I’m not only an LGBTQ+ therapist and professional ally; I’m also a parent of LGBTQ+ kids. I remember the shock of hearing their truth, the rush of love mixed with fear, and the inner conflict between what I’d been taught and what my children needed from me. I worried about my beliefs, my community, and the risk of losing important relationships—but I also knew their experience was even more vulnerable and frightening. That realization pushed me to learn everything I could.

Over time, I’ve sought out trainings, supervision, books, and community resources, including active involvement with our local PFLAG chapter, where I now serve on the board. These experiences inform my work as an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist and advocate. Whether you’re a parent trying to show up for your child or an individual working to embrace your own identity, I’m here to offer a safe, reliable place to be open, ask questions, and begin building the life you want to live.

Evidence-Based Approaches In LGBTQ+ Therapy And LGBTQ+ Couples Counseling

In addition to offering a safe and affirming space for discussion and exploration, I draw on several evidence-based approaches to support true healing and growth in therapy. 

For many people in the LGBTQ+ community, trauma is part of their story—whether it comes from early childhood relationships or daily experiences as an adult. In many cases, I’ll use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which helps the brain reprocess painful memories so they feel less overwhelming and defining. 

I may also incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients cultivate self-acceptance, loosen the grip of internalized stigma, and clarify values so they can move toward a more authentic life.

Mindfulness and polyvagal-informed work focus on tuning into what’s happening in the body and nervous system in the moment. Learning how to recognize and respond to those signals enables clients to feel calmer, more regulated, and more resilient—even when life seems chaotic. 

Together, these approaches make LGBTQ+ therapy more than just talking; they provide practical tools to regulate emotions, deepen connection, and feel more at home in yourself.

Finding Hope And Confidence With LGBTQ+ Therapy

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community or a parent seeking LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy for your child, life can feel like one long tightrope walk. The hopeful news is you don’t have to do this balancing act alone.

In LGBTQ+ therapy, we can challenge negative self-concepts, build understanding, and develop concrete tools for navigating stress, family dynamics, and identity questions. While you’re developing skills and deepening self-awareness, you’ll be healing core wounds and learning to move through this world with confidence, self-compassion, and unapologetic self-acceptance.

Questions About LGBTQ+ Therapy, Coming Out, and Acceptance?

I want to come out, but I’m afraid everyone will reject me.

Fear of rejection is one of the most common worries in LGBTQ+ counseling—for individuals and families. As humans, we’re wired to need connection, so the possibility of losing friends, family, or community can feel terrifying. Coming out can dramatically shift who is in your support circle, and that uncertainty can be overwhelming. 

In LGBTQ+ therapy, we can explore who feels safe, how to protect your wellbeing, and how to build a healthier support system—even if it feels like you’re starting from scratch. Just because some people struggle to accept you does not mean you are unlovable; it may simply mean you need help finding the people who can truly see and support you.

What if I’m not out yet—or my child hasn’t come out?

The goal of LGBTQ+ therapy is not to push you—or your child—into coming out before you’re ready. The focus is on self-acceptance, safety, and building loving, honest connections, especially within the family. I won’t tell you what to do or pressure you to disclose; instead, I offer space to sort through your feelings and decide what’s right for you. 

Coming out is usually a series of choices, not a single announcement. It might feel safe to tell one or two trusted people now and wait on others. As a parent, you may also feel confused as your child tries out new words for their internal reality—that can change over time, and that’s okay. I’m here to help you navigate those shifts and learn how to support your child in a way that honors both of you.

I don’t know if I can accept this reality.

If you’re a parent, hearing that your child is LGBTQ+ can turn your world upside down. It’s normal to feel scared, sad, or disoriented. At the same time, how you respond has a powerful impact on your child’s mental health. It’s well-known that LGBTQ+ folks face higher risks of self-harm, addiction, and suicide—but parental support can drastically lower those risks and help kids feel safer and more hopeful. 

It’s okay if you’re not “there” yet; what matters is giving yourself permission to grow toward acceptance. When we fight reality, it often looms larger. In counseling, we can gently shift the focus from fear to the bigger picture of who your child is—or who you are—so you can see the whole person in front of you, not just their sexual or gender identity.

Buckle up, it's time to start learning, so you can catch up and keep up with your child or adult child's reality.  Language, terms, pronouns, community needs and concerns are just the beginning (not the end). And I suspect you will find a community of  the most loving, vibrant, caring and authentic people you've ever met. Welcome to the adventure!

Let Me Help You Find Greater Peace In Who You Are

Reaching out for help is a brave first step toward understanding and loving yourself or your child more fully. If you’d like to explore working with an LGBTQ+ Allied therapist who truly cares and understands, I invite you to call me for a free, 15-minute consultation at 330-903-2223.

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