Many LGBTQIA teens experience confusion, isolation, and anxiety as they start exploring their gender and/or sexual identity.

Exploring one’s core identity can be frightening for a multitude of reasons. It is crushing to have one’s identity invalidated, and the fear of it is real.

We have long known that LGBTQIA youth, particularly transgender teenagers, experience high rates of depression, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm. Making sure that queer teens have the support they need to navigate a normal, healthy aspect of growing up is absolutely vital.

Finding a queer-friendly therapist can be daunting for anyone — which is why it’s a significant part of what I offer. I provide a safe, affirming, and educational space for LGBTQIA youth and their families. This includes supporting intersex youth

My background as a public school teacher and my advanced counseling training at the Gender Health Training Institute lends to a culturally sensitive approach that ensures every member of the family walks away feeling well-informed, encouraged, and nurtured.

For the LGBTQ teens who landed here first

Hi! If this is you, I imagine you’ve already read this page (and possibly the site) up and down already. It wouldn’t be the first time a technically-savvy Gen Z got here before their parents did.

Many of the transgender teens looking for a therapist on their own end up here because they have a pretty good grasp on their identity already. Often, what they really need is help with navigating their family relationships, educating their parents who may not be as in the know, and developing coping skills for navigating a world that can be hostile to folks like us.

Whether you feel assured in your identity or not: I’ve got your back.

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For parents seeking a therapist for their LGBTQIA child

My therapy services for LGBTQ teens in California include support for the parents, too. I operate on a Family Model, which means we start off the process together. The process starts with an initial consultation between myself and both parents — this is where we will get acquainted! There’s space to ask questions and I’ll walk you through the process.

Many parents of transgender children have one big question:

Are you going to force my kid on hormones?

Absolutely not.

My role in this dynamic is to support your child’s gender exploration. When I sit down with your child, we will discuss what gender means to them, and what feelings they are experiencing. These conversations can lead to lots of different outcomes, and it’s my role to support your child and work with them to assess which of those outcomes would be most supportive for them.

Hormonal therapy is not the right fit for every transgender person as a whole, and many youth explorations do not lead to hormonal treatment.

That said, there is a possibility that this is the recommended outcome for any trans patient. Gender-affirming hormonal therapy, when prescribed appropriately, has shown to be incredibly effective in improving the mental health of transgender patients. It decreases the risk of suicidality and distress caused by gender dysphoria and body dysmorphia. Research has shown that this approach can be incredibly effective in keeping transgender patients alive and capable of living full, wonderful lives.

It is never something prescribed lightly or rashly, and we can address any concerns you have together.