Online LGBTQ+ Trauma Therapy in NYC

The disconnect refers to the gap between your true self and how you might present or see yourself due to societal pressures, trauma, or internal conflicts. That disconnect and gap makes sense when you’re considering that in order to belong, fit in, and maybe even survive in a family or in the world that may be unaffirming, rejecting, or even hostile, we need to distance ourselves from, hide, or even reject parts of ourselves. We also take in and come to believe those negative beliefs and messages about ourselves, further disconnecting from our truest and noble selves. When this is going on, and it’s going on for most of us, it shows up as anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, challenges in dating and forming lasting relationships. It can also show up in codependent relationships, self-medicating through using substances to numb or distract or unhealthy compulsive sexual behavior. LGBTQ+ therapy in NYC helps bridge this gap by giving you a safe and nonjudgmental place and relationship to foster self-awareness, healing past wounds, and encouraging authentic self-expression. I specialize in Trauma therapy in NYC, addressing the underlying causes of this disconnect and promoting a more integrated and fulfilling sense of self.

During your first session of LGBTQ+ therapy in NYC with me, we will take the time to discuss your goals, concerns, and what brings you to therapy. This session is an opportunity to get to know each other and to help both of us determine how we can best work together to support your healing and growth. I specialize in creating a welcoming and understanding environment to help you feel comfortable from the start. I am a therapist who will let you in on what I am thinking; I’m not a “blank slate” therapist! So, in that first therapy session, I’ll share honestly about how I work, my style, and how I think I can best serve you toward your goals.

A lot of us are hurting, and just want to start feeling better right away. The duration of therapy really does vary based on individual needs and goals. Some clients may see significant progress in a few months, while others may benefit from longer-term support. In the first session or two, I’ll give you my recommendations for how we might start to work together, and what our goals are. In LGBTQ+ therapy in NYC and trauma therapy in NYC, I regularly review your progress to ensure therapy meets your needs and continues to support your growth. I don’t want to waste anyone’s time if we are either not a great fit, or if we need to pivot to something that might work more effectively. My expertise is in providing personalized therapy plans that adapt to your evolving needs.

Online therapy offers convenience, flexibility, and access to specialized care regardless of location. It allows you to receive support from the comfort of your home, making it easier to fit therapy into your schedule. I have found effective ways to work over safe and secure video platforms to help my clients make significant progress toward their goals. Whether you need LGBTQ+ therapy in NYC or trauma-informed therapy in NYC, online sessions can provide the same level of care and support as in-person therapy. I specialize in offering effective online therapy to meet your needs. I have written a little more about “Does Online Therapy Really Work?"

LGBTQ+ affirming therapy in NYC is a therapeutic approach that I use that acknowledges and supports the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. This approach and type of therapy gives the LGTBQ+ person permission to heal and be empowered by creating a safe and inclusive environment for exploring who you truly are, addressing your past traumas or pains, and promoting your mental health, well-being, and growth. My expertise is in helping LGBTQ+ clients navigate issues such as discrimination, rejection (in our society overall, or experiences of rejection from family members or religious communities, and internalized homophobia through compassionate and affirming care. I’ve written a bit more about what LGTBQ+ affirming therapy in NYC is on my blog.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapeutic technique used in Trauma Therapy in NYC to help individuals process and heal from trauma. It involves guided eye movements, or forms of tapping on alternating sides of the body (bilateral stimulation, BLS), to reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional impact. BLS can also help clients who feel stuck or frozen in particularly difficult emotional states. My expertise is in using EMDR to effectively address a range of traumatic experiences, including those related to interpersonal or relational trauma, traumas associated with the stressors that often come with having an LGBTQ+ identity in this time in history, and religious trauma. We can also use EMDR to create and strengthen internal resources that can help us have more resilience in the face of stressful situations, difficult relationships, and when our traumatic memories from the past get triggered in our present. You can check out my specialty page on EMDR therapy. I have also written more a blogpost on EMDR and how EMDR works, check it out.

LGBTQ+ individuals often face unique challenges such as discrimination, rejection, and identity struggles. These challenges can be happening right now in your life, or they may have happened a while ago, or both. They often come from institutions and larger systems like politics and work environments, but those that really can mess people up the most is when they happen in the relationships that are close and intimate like family or church. In LGBTQ+ therapy in NYC, we address these issues with a tailored approach that validates and supports your experiences and identity. My expertise is in providing trauma-informed therapy in NYC that focuses on healing the specific traumas and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.

Trauma-informed therapy, as practiced in the trauma therapy in NYC I specialize in, acknowledges the widespread impact of stress and trauma and prioritizes safety, trustworthiness, and empowerment. We spend the necessary time helping you build internal resources that are positive and supportive so that when we start to reprocess those painful experiences we are avoiding re-traumatization during the therapeutic process. I also give you the tools to work through those memories quickly, reducing their impact on your life. My expertise, developed over the last 15 years, is in providing trauma-informed care, especially in the context of LGBTQ+ therapy in NYC, where clients may have faced significant trauma related to their identity.

Trauma shows up in our lives in a variety of ways. If you experience symptoms like anxiety, depression, flashbacks, or difficulty forming relationships due to past events, trauma therapy in NYC might be beneficial. A consultation can help determine the best approach for your needs. I specialize in LGBTQ+ therapy in NYC, offering specialized support for individuals facing trauma related to their sexual or gender identity.

What should I look for in a trauma therapist? When seeking trauma therapy in NYC, look for a therapist who is trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ affirming, and experienced in dealing with issues similar to yours. It's important to find someone who makes you feel safe, understood, and supported. My expertise in LGBTQ+ therapy in NYC ensures that I am well-equipped to address the specific needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. To learn more about me, please visit my About page.

Religious trauma refers to the psychological distress and harm caused by experiences within a religious context. When we are considering LGBTQ+ therapy in NYC, many of us who identify as LGBTQ+ have come to NYC seeking refuge from less affirming, and sometimes rejecting and/or unsafe environments. For many still, that rejecting, unaffirming and unsafe environment was a religious institution or community. In religious trauma therapy, we explore these experiences, validate your feelings, and work towards healing and reclaiming your sense of self. We also help support you in reclaiming your sense of spirituality and how that might integrate into your whole sense of self, if that’s what you decide. I specialize in addressing religious trauma within the framework of trauma-informed therapy in NYC, helping you overcome the negative impacts of these experiences on your mental health and well-being. You can check out my specialty page on religious trauma.

For clients interested in exploring or reclaiming their spirituality, LGBTQ+ therapy in NYC offers a space to discuss and integrate spiritual beliefs into the therapeutic process. I ensure that this integration aligns with your personal values and supports your overall healing journey. I also want to help you resolve that disconnect between parts of yourself and where religiosity and spiritual experiences have been harmful or unhealthy. For many of my clients, having a space to talk through doubts and theology, find practices that are affirming and also lead to spiritual growth, is vital. I specialize in trauma-informed therapy in NYC, so addressing any spiritual or religious trauma you may have experienced and helping you find a path that resonates with your beliefs is a passion of mine.

Therapy, particularly LGBTQ+ therapy in NYC, provides a safe space to explore the sources of your anxiety and depression, often stemming from societal rejection or internalized homophobia. Living in a world that right now, in this time in history, can seem so uninviting to those of us in the LGBTQ+ community causes a lot of stress. That stress accumulates, and can start to wear and tear on our nervous systems. We may have also gone through some pretty horrific experiences growing up that create traumatic experiences. For a lot of people, that stress and trauma show up in life as a constant state of anxiety, restlessness, and depression. We will work together to develop coping strategies, build resilience, and foster self-acceptance through healing those past experiences and helping you integrate and center. I specialize in trauma therapy in NYC, focusing on healing the root causes of these symptoms and promoting long-term growth.

Codependency involves excessive reliance on others for approval and a sense of identity. We develop this style of relationships as a coping or trauma response growing up, and can get replayed in our adult relationships. In LGBTQ+ therapy in NYC, I help you develop healthy boundaries, self-esteem, and independence, leading to more balanced and fulfilling relationships. I specialize in trauma therapy in NYC as well, so we can address the underlying causes of codependency and promote healthier relational patterns.

In LGBTQ+ therapy in NYC, I explore the underlying causes of substance use, such as trauma or coping mechanisms, and develop healthier strategies for managing emotions and stress. I might recommend that while we work together that you actively participate in support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, for example. While specializing in trauma therapy in NYC, I provide a supportive environment for making positive changes and overcoming substance use challenges. My expertise is in helping clients find effective ways to manage and overcome substance use issues.