Affirmative Therapy
Affirmative Therapy in California
Affirmative therapy is a compassionate, evidence-based approach that honors the full identities and lived experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB), transgender, and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals. Rather than asking you to adapt to systems or expectations that may not fit, affirmative therapy centers who you are, the context you live in, and the ways identity, culture, and power shape mental health.
I provide affirmative individual therapy for adults in California, with a focus on creating a space where clients feel respected, understood, and not required to explain or defend their identities.
What Is Affirmative Therapy?
Affirmative therapy explicitly recognizes that distress often develops in response to oppression, marginalization, trauma, and chronic invalidation — not because there is something “wrong” with you. This approach moves away from pathologizing identity and instead emphasizes resilience, meaning-making, and healing within context.
Affirmative therapy is especially supportive for people who have been misunderstood, minimized, or asked to hide parts of themselves in order to feel safe or accepted.
Who Affirmative Therapy Is For
Affirmative therapy may be a good fit if you:
Identify as LGBTQIA+, questioning, or exploring gender and/or sexuality
Have experienced shame, rejection, or invisibility related to identity
Feel exhausted from masking, people-pleasing, or trying to “fit in”
Are navigating life transitions, relationship changes, or coming out later in life
Want therapy that understands the impact of systemic stress, not just individual symptoms
This work is inclusive of all identities and backgrounds. You do not need to belong to any specific community to benefit from an affirming therapeutic relationship.
How Affirmative Therapy Supports Healing
In affirmative therapy, we may focus on:
Building a stronger, more compassionate relationship with yourself
Processing identity-related trauma or chronic invalidation
Reducing anxiety, shame, and self-criticism
Increasing emotional regulation and self-trust
Exploring values, boundaries, and authentic expression
My approach is trauma-informed, relational, and grounded in evidence-based practices, including DBT-informed skills and depth-oriented therapy. Sessions are collaborative and paced with care, prioritizing safety and autonomy.
Affirmative Therapy and Trauma-Informed Care
Many clients seeking affirmative therapy have histories of trauma — including relational trauma, religious trauma, medical trauma, or experiences of systemic harm. Trauma-informed affirmative therapy emphasizes:
Choice and collaboration
Emotional safety and stabilization
Respect for nervous system responses
Honoring survival strategies rather than judging them
We work together to understand how past experiences shape present patterns, without rushing or forcing change.
Virtual Affirmative Therapy in California
I offer virtual affirmative therapy for adults across California, allowing you to access care from the comfort and privacy of your own space. Telehealth sessions are conducted through a secure platform and are designed to feel personal, grounded, and connected.
What to Expect
Therapy is not about fixing you — it is about creating space to understand yourself more deeply and move toward a life that feels aligned and sustainable. Whether you are beginning therapy for the first time or returning after previous experiences that did not feel affirming, we will go at a pace that feels right for you.
