LGBTQ ISSUES:
I am also an LGBTQ-affirming therapist. I am passionate about the well-being of the LGBTQ community and the issues unique to it. My research and presentation background is primarily in internalized homophobia and transphobia in LGBTQ persons. In essence, the effects of being a marginalized community that often faces immense adversities (such as bullying, harassment, workplace discrimination, systemic oppression, lack of acceptance, among many other issues), homophobia and transphobia experienced can be internalized by LGBTQ people. Further, internalized homophobia and transphobia can influence negative attitudes and behaviors towards themselves or other LGBTQ people, thus creating another significant hurdle to finding peace within themselves and LGBTQ community.
For many LGBTQ folks, having a therapist with experience living and working within the community and who has insight into the issues unique to it can help establish a a safe place to discuss deeply personal issues concerning what it means to be an LGBTQ person. I enjoy working with folks in the community strive towards a stronger emotional core and to help them to get to better know their identity as an LGBTQ person.