LGBTQIA+ Therapy
Do you feel like you can’t fully be yourself?
You monitor your words, your clothing, or your body language in certain spaces to avoid judgment.
You are tired of being misgendered, misunderstood, or having your identity questioned.
You have experienced rejection, strained relationships, or discrimination because of your sexuality or gender identity.
You feel anxious, depressed, or disconnected and worry a therapist might not understand.
You are navigating the coming-out process or deciding if you even want to.
When these experiences accumulate, it can feel like the problem is you. It is not. You have been carrying the weight of living in a world that does not make space for you to exist safely and thoroughly.
Laws, social messages, and policies affecting LGBTQIA+ people, such as state restrictions on trans youth or broader attacks on queer rights, can make the simple act of existing exhausting.
Many queer and trans people carry an invisible load, constantly calculating whether they are safe, filtering their words, or choosing between speaking up and staying silent.
In therapy, your bravery is recognized and celebrated. You will have a space to release some of that weight, feel truly seen, and gain tools to navigate a world that does not always affirm you.
Many others in the queer community feel a similar weight on their shoulders.
Research from the Trevor Project shows that in states where laws targeting transgender youth were passed, suicide attempts among transgender and gender-nonconforming teens rose by up to 72% in the following years.
About two-thirds (65%) of LGBT adults say they experienced at least one type of discrimination in their daily life at least a few times in the past year, compared to four in ten (40%) non-LGBT adults.
A 2023 study conducted by UCLA indicated that 81% of transgender adults in the U.S. have thought about suicide, 42% of transgender adults have attempted it, and 56% have engaged in non-suicidal self-injury over their lifetimes.
These statistics aren’t meant to scare you but instead highlight the heavy toll that societal pressures and discrimination have on the queer community.
While these statistics can feel heavy, the hopeful truth we’d like to offer you is this: with the guidance of an affirming therapist, you can start to process your experiences and nurture your sense of self. From there, you can begin to rediscover joy, connection, and a life where you feel fully seen.
Society’s Messages About LGBTQIA+ Identities
From a young age, many of us are taught, whether implicitly or explicitly, that being straight and cisgender is “normal” and everything else is something to be explained, justified, or hidden.
These messages can come from many different places, including:
Family or religious communities that reject or minimize queerness.
Schools where heteronormative assumptions dominate lessons, sports, and social life.
Workplaces that don’t provide inclusive policies or safe reporting systems.
Media that under-represents or stereotypes queer and trans people.
Even in more accepting environments, subtle micro-aggressions can leave a mark.
Being asked invasive questions about your body or relationships.
Having your pronouns ignored or mocked.
Purposely being dead-named.
Hearing jokes at your expense and then being told you are “too sensitive” for not laughing.
Over time, these experiences can contribute to chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and self-worth struggles. They can also make seeking therapy more daunting, especially if you’ve had to educate past providers about your identity.
Why Choose RelationshipStore for LGBTQIA+ Therapy
RelationshipStore’s therapists who specialize in LGBTQIA+ issues have extensive experience supporting clients across the spectrum, from teens exploring identity to adults navigating long-term relationships, career transitions, or gender-affirming care.
We understand that “LGBTQIA+ therapy” is different for every client who comes through our doors and that multiple intersecting identities shape your experience.
Providing support and collaborating towards where clients want to be is a significant part of the work we do with clients. We challenge societal and political messages that marginalize queer and trans people and provide tools for resilience, self-compassion, and joy.
We see the bravery it takes to show up as yourself every day and celebrate that! At RelationshipStore, we believe your therapist should already be competent in working with LGBTIQA+ clients, so you can focus on healing, not justifying your existence.
We are affirming, not just accepting.
You may have encountered people who say they “accept” your identity. Acceptance can feel conditional. It is as if your identity is tolerated rather than truly supported.
Affirmation goes further. Being affirming means actively recognizing, validating, and supporting your identity. You deserve that! At RelationshipStore, this means:
Honoring your correct name and pronouns consistently.
Respecting your gender expression, sexual orientation, and identity without question.
Helping you explore your identity safely, without judgment or pressure.
Challenging societal and internalized messages that might make you doubt yourself.
Throughout history, many cultures have honored gender diversity and same-sex relationships. In Indigenous cultures of the Americas, Two-Spirit people were respected as shamans or medicine people, using their unique perspectives to heal and guide their communities.
Similar respect existed in African, Asian, and Pacific Island societies, where diverse gender identities were valued for wisdom and leadership. Nature reflects this diversity as well, with many species forming same-sex relationships or displaying fluid gender roles, showing that queerness is a natural part of life.
Living as your true self can feel scary, but it’s also powerful. Queer and trans people have always been part of the world and your identity continues that story. You carry with you a legacy of courage, wisdom, and strength that has always been needed.
How Therapy at RelationshipStore Can Help You
RelationshipStore’s therapists who specialize in LGBTQIA+ issues provide counseling that starts with respect, understanding, and a commitment to seeing your whole self. You won’t have to explain or justify your identity to us. Instead, you’ll find a space where you can unpack your experiences, explore your goals, and develop tools for navigating a world that isn’t always affirming.
Here are some examples of what we may work on together.
Explore and Affirm Your Identity
Whether you’re questioning, exploring labels, or fully out, therapy can be a safe place to process without pressure. We can discuss your identity, pronouns, or expression at a pace that feels right for you.
Heal From Rejection and Discrimination
Many clients carry wounds from being excluded, bullied, or misunderstood. In therapy, we validate those experiences, process the pain, and build resilience for the future.
Navigate Coming Out (Or Your Choice Not To)
Coming out is a process, not a single event. We’ll explore if, how, when, and to whom you want to come out to, as well as emotional safety and boundaries. If you choose not to come out in certain areas, we honor that choice without judgment.
Address Mental Health Struggles
Whether it’s anxiety from being “on guard,” depression from isolation, or self-esteem challenges shaped by societal and political messaging, we work to understand the roots of your feelings and develop strategies to help you cope and thrive.
Support Your Relationships
Queer and trans relationships have unique dynamics and stressors. We address communication patterns, boundaries, intimacy, and external pressures, helping you build relationships that truly affirm you.
Work Through Gender Dysphoria and Body Image Concerns
If you experience discomfort with your body, we can explore ways to align your physical expression with your gender identity, whether that’s through social, medical, or personal steps. We can also simply help you develop more compassion and kindness for yourself as you are now.
What to Expect in Sessions
Every client’s journey is different, but here’s what you can always expect when working with RelationshipStore’s therapists who specialize in LGBTIQA+ issues:
A safe, affirming environment where you set the pace.
Competence means we stay up-to-date on queer and trans issues so you don’t have to educate us when you come to your session.
Conversations with no judgment or jargon-heavy lectures.
Intersectional awareness means that your race, culture, religion, or other identities all matter in our work together.
You Deserve a Space Where Your Whole Self Is Welcome
Being queer isn’t the problem. The problem is living in a society that often misunderstands, erases, or harms people for who they are. In therapy, we work together to untangle what’s been imposed on you from what’s truly YOURS, so you can move forward with self-trust, resilience, and joy.
You Might Still Have Questions About LGBTQIA+ Therapy
What if my therapist doesn’t understand my identity?
Many clients have had to educate providers in the past and defend their identity. Here, you won’t have to. RelationshipStore’s therapists who specialize in LGBTQIA+ issues bring both experience and professional training to the table, allowing you to focus on your healing.
I’m not ready to talk about everything yet.
That’s okay. You set the pace. We’ll start with what feels safe and build trust over time.
I tried therapy but had a bad experience with my old therapist.
We’ll openly discuss what hasn’t worked for you with prior therapists and tailor our approach to your needs. Our role is to walk alongside you, not push you into anything you’re not ready for.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP.