LGBT Communities & Polyamorous Communities

unnamed-19For a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex identified person, issues can be the same as for people outside the LGBTQI community OR can be unique.  Some examples include:

  • Questions about sexual or gender identity
  • “Coming out” among family, friends, or colleagues
  • Homophobia/heterosexism
  • Discrimination and other forms of violence
  • Dating
  • Relationship issues
  • Butch/femme identities
  • Sex or lack of sex in relationship
  • Parenting
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Grief and loss

For people who identify as polyamorous or nonmanogomous, the complexities of multiple partnerships can bring unique challenges as well.  Issues in the poly community might include:

  • Clear communication
  • Trust and honesty
  • Sexual or emotional safety
  • Jealousy
  • Confidence or self-esteem
  • Differences in degrees of comfort with risk
  • Fear of losing a primary partner
  • Stigma

Whether in the LGBT community or the poly community, struggling with the issues listed above can feel like a particularly lonely path because you aren’t sure who you can trust to turn to for help.  There can be valid reason for concern about being judged or misunderstood.  I am familiar with the challenges specific to the LGBT community, as well as the poly community, and I can offer safety and support.

How We Will Work Through It:

In therapy together, we will hold space for you to be your own unique person, allowing for your own sense of what your identity and experiences mean to you.  In the environment of acceptance that we co-create, you can have a safe place to vent, mindfully explore problems and solutions, acquire improved coping or communication strategies, and gain greater overall clarity of what you want for yourself and your relationship(s).