LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy in Portland & Washington State
Finding Your Authentic Self in a Space That Truly Gets You
As a neurodivergent therapist who understands the intersections of queerness, gender identity, and neurodivergence, I offer specialized online therapy for LGBTQ+ individuals throughout Portland, Oregon and Washington State. My practice focuses on creating a genuinely affirming space where you can explore your identity, process your experiences, and develop strategies that honor who you truly are—not who the world expects you to be.
Understanding the Unique Mental Health Needs of LGBTQ+ Individuals
The LGBTQ+ community faces distinct mental health challenges that require more than just affirmation—they require deep understanding and specialized expertise. Research consistently shows that LGBTQ+ individuals experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and trauma-related conditions, not because of their identities, but because of minority stress, discrimination, and the exhausting work of navigating systems that weren't built with us in mind.
In my practice, I recognize that being LGBTQ+ isn't something that needs to be fixed or changed. Instead, I focus on helping you navigate the real challenges that come with living authentically in a world that doesn't always make space for that authenticity. Whether you're dealing with family rejection, workplace discrimination, internalized messages about your identity, or the complex intersection of being both LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent, I provide evidence-based support tailored to your specific experiences.
The Intersection of LGBTQ+ Identity and Neurodivergence
Many of my clients discover fascinating connections between their LGBTQ+ identity and their neurodivergent brain. There's significant overlap between autism, ADHD, and diverse gender and sexual identities—and that's not a coincidence. Neurodivergent brains often experience gender and sexuality outside of neurotypical norms, leading to rich, complex identities that don't fit neatly into societal boxes.
If you're navigating both neurodivergence and LGBTQ+ identity, you might find yourself:
Questioning whether your gender experience is influenced by your autism or ADHD
Struggling with the sensory aspects of gender expression or intimate relationships
Feeling overwhelmed by the social dynamics of LGBTQ+ spaces
Masking both your neurodivergent traits and your authentic gender or sexual identity
Experiencing heightened anxiety around coming out or transitioning
I bring both professional expertise and lived understanding to these intersections. As someone who gets it on multiple levels, I create space for all parts of your identity without requiring you to separate or prioritize different aspects of who you are.
Specialized Support for Trans and Gender-Diverse Individuals
Gender exploration and transition can be profound journeys of self-discovery, and they deserve support that goes beyond basic acceptance. I work with trans, non-binary, and gender-questioning individuals at all stages of their journey, whether you're just beginning to question your gender, actively transitioning, or navigating life post-transition.
My approach to gender-affirming therapy recognizes that there's no single "right" way to be trans or gender-diverse. Some of my clients pursue medical transition, others don't. Some come out to everyone, others choose selective disclosure. Some have known their gender since childhood, others discover it later in life—particularly common among autistic individuals who may have been masking their authentic gender experience along with their neurodivergent traits.
Together, we might explore:
Unpacking internalized transphobia and developing self-compassion
Navigating relationships during and after transition
Managing gender dysphoria and developing coping strategies
Processing experiences of discrimination and microaggressions
Exploring gender expression that feels authentic to you
Understanding how autism or ADHD influences your gender experience
Supporting Parents in the LGBTQ+ Community
Being a queer or trans parent comes with unique joys and challenges. You might be navigating questions from your children about your identity, dealing with other parents' reactions, or working through your own internalized fears about how your identity might impact your kids. If you're also neurodivergent, you're likely juggling the executive function demands of parenting while trying to maintain your own authentic expression.
I understand the complexity of parenting while LGBTQ+ because I live it. My therapeutic approach helps you:
Process guilt or anxiety about how your identity affects your family
Develop age-appropriate ways to discuss identity with your children
Navigate co-parenting relationships, especially if your co-parent isn't affirming
Build resilience against judgment from other parents or family members
Balance authenticity with the practical demands of parenting
Manage the intersection of parenting stress and minority stress
Trauma-Informed Care for LGBTQ+ Experiences
Many LGBTQ+ individuals carry trauma—from family rejection, religious trauma, bullying, discrimination, or violence. This trauma can be compounded when you're also neurodivergent, as you may have experienced additional layers of misunderstanding and marginalization. I use evidence-based trauma therapies including Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy, adapted specifically for LGBTQ+ experiences.
My trauma work doesn't pathologize your identity or assume that being LGBTQ+ is inherently traumatic. Instead, I help you process the actual traumatic experiences you've faced while building resilience and reclaiming your power. We work at your pace, with full respect for your autonomy and choices about what to address and when.
Anxiety and OCD in the LGBTQ+ Community
Anxiety disorders and OCD can take on specific themes for LGBTQ+ individuals. You might experience:
Intrusive thoughts about your identity or whether you're "really" LGBTQ+
Compulsive checking or reassurance-seeking about your identity
Social anxiety specifically in LGBTQ+ spaces or around coming out
Perfectionism around being the "right kind" of LGBTQ+ person
Contamination fears related to HIV stigma or medical discrimination
Using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Inference-based CBT (I-CBT), I help you understand and manage these conditions without invalidating your identity or experiences. My approach recognizes that some fears in the LGBTQ+ community are based on real discrimination, and I help you differentiate between reasonable caution and anxiety that's limiting your life.
Women and AFAB Individuals: Addressing Specific Needs
My practice particularly specializes in supporting queer and trans women and AFAB (assigned female at birth) individuals. If you're navigating the intersection of misogyny and LGBTQ+ discrimination, dealing with invisibility in both straight and LGBTQ+ spaces, or processing the unique challenges of being a masculine-presenting AFAB person or transfeminine individual, I provide specialized understanding and support.
For many late-diagnosed autistic women and AFAB folks, discovering your neurodivergence often coincides with understanding your authentic gender and sexuality. The masks you've worn to appear "normal" may have hidden both your autistic traits and your LGBTQ+ identity. Together, we can gently explore what emerges when you begin to lower those masks.
Creating Your Authentic Life Path
My therapeutic approach goes beyond managing symptoms or crises. I work with individuals who are ready to move from survival to thriving, from hiding to authentic expression. This might mean:
Developing boundaries with family members who aren't fully accepting
Building chosen family and community connections
Exploring career paths that align with your values and identity
Navigating the dating world as your authentic self
Creating daily routines that support both your LGBTQ+ identity and neurodivergent needs
Processing grief about the life you thought you'd have versus the life you're creating
Why My Approach Works
I combine doctoral-level expertise with genuine understanding of the LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent experience. My evidence-based approaches are adapted to honor neurodivergent processing styles and LGBTQ+ cultural contexts. I don't just affirm difference—I celebrate it and help you build a life that works for your unique brain and identity.
Online therapy removes many barriers that LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent individuals face: no anxiety-inducing waiting rooms, no worry about running into someone you know, and the ability to be in your own comfortable space during sessions. You can show up exactly as you are, whether that's in your favorite hoodie, with your comfort items nearby, or with your pronouns displayed clearly in our video chat.
Beginning Your Journey
Starting therapy is a significant step, especially when you're looking for someone who truly understands the complexities of LGBTQ+ life. I offer a free 15-minute consultation where we can connect and determine if my approach aligns with what you're seeking. During our initial intake session, we'll explore your history through a holistic lens, understanding how your LGBTQ+ identity, potential neurodivergence, and life experiences have shaped who you are today.
Your story deserves to be heard by someone who gets it—not just intellectually, but from lived experience and specialized training. Together, we can work toward a life where you don't have to choose between being successful and being authentic, where your differences are strengths, and where you can finally exhale and just be yourself.
Ready to explore therapy that truly affirms all of who you are? Reach out today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about pricing and availability. Your authentic life is waiting, and you don't have to navigate the journey alone.