LGBTQ+ Therapy in D.C., Florida, Virginia, and Connecticut
A safe space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to get high-quality support
Are you struggling with mental health concerns? Going through the process of coming out? Navigating your gender and sexual identity? Dealing with complex relationship issues? Looking for a letter of support for surgery?
… If so, then you’ve come to the right place. Within Reach Therapy offers LGBTQ+ virtual therapy for residents of D.C., Florida, Virginia, and Connecticut.
To be clear, being LGBTQ+ is NOT in any way, shape, or form a mental health disorder.
But, living as a member of the LGBTQ+ community in a largely heterosexual cisgender society often means experiencing mental health struggles. In fact, research shows that rates of anxiety, depression, substance abuse disorders, and suicidal thoughts are much higher for LGBTQ+ folx.
At Within Reach Therapy, we understand the unique challenges that LGBTQ+ individuals face in today’s society. Our LGBTQ-affirming therapists aim to provide a safe, welcoming, and understanding environment for our clients.
Our therapists are extensively trained in issues common to the LGBTQ community, including:
- Coming out and the impacts on family and relationships
- Gender identity exploration and transitioning support
- Sexual orientation-based discrimination, bullying, and trauma
- Anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns related to LGBTQ+ identity
We recognize that each person’s experience is different. Our goal is to meet you where you are with compassion and without judgment. We’ll work with you at your own pace to understand your story, validate your feelings, and collaborate to set therapy goals that empower you to live as your authentic self.
Common mental health concerns experienced by members of the LGBTQ+ community:
Anxiety and panic disorders
Depression
Suicidal thoughts or attempts
Poor self-esteem or self-confidence
Feeling like you “don’t fit in” at work or school
Fear of rejection
Family conflict
Relationship concerns
Experiencing abuse and assault
Discrimination
Substance abuse disorders
These concerns are often caused by discrimination and rejection of LGBTQ+ folx in society. The trauma of judgment or mistreatment due to your sexuality or gender is profound. It can have a lasting impact on your well-being.
That’s why working with a supportive and affirming LGBTQ+ therapist is so important. Finding a safe place to discuss the concerns and issues you’re having is very healing. In fact, LGBTQ+ therapy can give you the tools needed to move forward with confidence. Therapy can help you stop measuring your worth based on views of a heteronormative society.
Our approach to LGBTQ+ therapy
Our primary goal in LGBTQ+ therapy is to help you feel safe and supported. We encourage you to come as you are and be open and honest about your experiences and how you feel. You will never receive judgment from a member of our therapy team.
After building a therapeutic relationship with you, we will identify your core values. Then, we will work to create an action plan based on these values and your personal goals for therapy and life. To do this we must re-write your narrative. As we do, we will cultivate more self-compassion and self-care so it aligns with these values.
We will also work together to identify your support network and strengthen it. Knowing who you can lean on during challenging times is an important part of moving forward.
With an affirming approach, we can help you:
- Develop self-acceptance of your identity
- Navigate interpersonal relationships
- Access community resources and support systems
- Process traumatic experiences related to your LGBTQ identity
- Achieve personal growth and self-actualization
You deserve to feel seen, heard, and understood. We’re here to support you on your journey with specialized care tailored to the LGBTQ experience. Let’s work together in a safe space to improve your mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Creating a Safety Plan:
Unfortunately minorities, especially the LGBTQ+ community, often experience trauma. This isn’t limited to abuse. It also includes the trauma of discrimination or bullying due to how you identify. But, EVERYONE deserves to feel safe- including you. Thus, it is very important that you work with a therapist who can help you move forward from past pain. Furthermore, it’s critical that you work with them to create a safety plan. You will design a plan to make sure you know what to do and how to proceed if you ever feel unsafe. Regardless of if it happens at home, work, school, or in a social setting.
A note on letters of support:
Jason Nicholsen is a clinician who specializes in helping LGBTQ+ folx. He supports those transitioning and in need of letters of support to undergo surgery, but the type of support he can offer depends largely on the jurisdiction where you live. In D.C. and Virginia, Jason can write letters for those looking for gender-affirming top surgery. This could include breast augmentation or removal and individuals who need hormone therapy. Jason cannot write letters for gender-affirming genital surgery, but he has a powerful pipeline of clinicians who will be more than willing to meet with you. Meeting with another may be able to provide you letters of support.
Begin Online LGBTQ+ Therapy in D.C., Virginia, Connecticut, or Florida
You deserve a safe place to work through the unique issues you face as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Our caring therapists would be happy to support you in feeling more at peace through our virtual therapeutic support team. To start your therapy journey, please follow these simple steps:
Meet with a skilled therapist for a free consult
Start receiving the support you deserve
Other Services Offered at Within Reach Therapy:
LGBTQ+ therapy isn't the only service we offer. Our skilled therapists offer a variety of services like trauma therapy; depression treatment; financial therapy; and anxiety treatment. Contact us to learn more today.