lgbtq-affirming therapy services in philadelphia, pa
You deserve to feel at home in your body.
Therapy for LGBTQ professionals, teens, transgender individuals and their partners. Compassionate mental health support for your authentic journey.
Does this sound like you?
You want to feel comfortable in your own skin.
But instead, you’re exhausted from second-guessing yourself and never feeling good enough. You feel lonely and that you don’t fit in no matter who you’re with. You’re burned out by taking care of everyone, and resentful because no one is there for you. You want to relax and enjoy your life, but you feel crushed by the weight of it all. You seem put together on the outside, but deep down you just feel broken.
Maybe you’re looking for…
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You’re feeling depleted after years of counting calories and skipping meals, only to realize that no number on the scale will ever feel good enough. You keep turning down dinner invitations, only to spend the night scrolling your phone, feeling left out and sidelined in your own life.
You’re at happy hour and instead of joining in on the conversation, you’re stuck in your head because you can’t stop thinking about food.
You rip through outfit after outfit, and pick yourself apart before you walk out the door. You find yourself staring at the mirror while gripping your stomach and thighs, wishing your body was different.
Or maybe you avoid mirrors altogether because you’d rather pretend that your body doesn’t exist.
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When you go about your day, something feels off.
It feels like you’re going through the motions and that you’re a stranger in your own life.
The only thing that brings you comfort is fantasizing about being a different gender. But the late-night google searches about whether or not you’re trans leave you feeling confused and anxious.
Perhaps you’re ready to come out at work and are fearful that it will make you a target, or worse, you’ll get fired.
Maybe you’re just tired. No matter where you go, you constantly have to look over your shoulder because the world is getting more and more unsafe for queer and trans people. You just want to exist in peace.
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Maybe you overthink every interaction and constantly worry what other people think of you. Maybe you walk on eggshells around people out of fear of upsetting them.
You might be the go-to friend for support, but it feels like no one is there for you. You keep saying ‘yes’ to everyone, but feel resentful and angry afterwards.
Perhaps you downplay your needs because you don’t want to be a burden to others.
You find yourself drinking more at night to take the edge off and numb the pain. No matter how much you try to feel better, you wind up feeling worse.
Even when you’re surrounded by friends, you walk away feeling empty and alone.
hi I’m christine (she/her)
I help LGBTQ folks build the confidence to live life on their own terms.
As a queer licensed therapist in Philadelphia, I love working with geeky career-driven professionals, creatives and teens who want to stop just existing in survival-mode and start living life with more freedom and clarity.
Whether you're a queer, non-binary person in tech struggling with disordered eating, an entrepreneur dealing with imposter syndrome, or a trans person navigating medical systems, I get you. I’m here to help.
YOU BELONG HERE.
YOU BELONG HERE.
Together, we'll work on healing old emotional wounds so you can feel like yourself again.
My approach to therapy is rooted in helping you understand how past experiences and current societal expectations impact how you feel in your body, in your relationships and with yourself.
Instead of just talking about change, we’ll use creative and holistic approaches to explore the patterns that keep you stuck, and find healthier ways to move forward.
The goal isn’t to dwell in the past, but to understand it so you can have more freedom in the present.
Over time, anxiety and food issues won’t run the show anymore, and you’ll have the confidence to advocate for your needs and the courage to define what you want out of life.
My Specialties
Eating Disorder Treatment within the LGBTQ Context
Find food freedom and body acceptance with the help of a trained therapist you can trust.
Few therapists in Philadelphia understand the unique intersection of eating disorders and LGBTQ identity. Traditional treatment often fails to address how gender dysphoria, minority stress, and heteronormative recovery narratives impact your relationship with food and body. My advanced training in both eating disorder recovery and gender-affirming care allows me to provide comprehensive mental health support that acknowledges these complexities.
Through our work together, we'll explore how societal expectations, family dynamics, and internalized messages about identity affect your eating patterns and body image. Using Internal Family Systems (parts work) and Art Therapy, we'll understand the protective functions these behaviors serve while developing healthier coping mechanisms that align with your authentic self rather than conforming to mainstream standards.
Trauma and Self-Esteem
Trauma and anxiety often underlie many mental health struggles, particularly for LGBTQ individuals navigating discrimination, rejection, and minority stress. My trauma-focused practice addresses both acute incidents and accumulated experiences of marginalization that impact your well-being.
Through integrated treatment combining IFS, somatic approaches, and when appropriate, exposure therapy techniques, we work to heal past wounds while building resilience for future challenges.
LGBTQ & Gender Affirming Care and Support
Compassion and support as you explore your identity and life experiences.
I provide specialized counseling for individuals across the gender spectrum, including those questioning their identity, actively transitioning, or supporting loved ones through gender journeys. My practice offers:
Individual support for gender exploration without pressure to make immediate decisions
Transition navigation addressing emotional, social, and relational aspects beyond medical interventions
Partner support for those whose loved ones are transitioning, providing space to process your own emotions and needs
Parent guidance for families with trans teens, helping you balance support with your own complex feelings
This therapeutic approach recognizes that gender journeys are deeply personal and unique, requiring mental health care that honors your individual pace and path.
Anxiety and OCD Treatment
Evidenced based therapy that helps you break the cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsions so you can feel more like yourself again.
I help people overcome intrusive thoughts and compulsive actions using the research backed method, Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP). Treatment will involve completing exposure exercises while also practicing resisting your compulsions. We’ll help you face your fears and learn how to handle your emotions so you can feel more in control of your life and less afraid of the future.
Specialized therapy in society hill, philadelphia and pa
Support for partners and spouses of transgender people.
As a queer woman married to a trans woman, I understand the joys and challenges of being in a relationship with a transitioning partner. It’s your journey too, and you deserve to be seen and supported. Whether you got together after your partner transitioned, or your partner just came out, I’m here for you.
specialized therapy services i offer
Individual Therapy for Personal Growh
Individual therapy forms the foundation of my practice, providing dedicated space for deep exploration of mental health issues. During our one-on-one therapy sessions, we'll work together to address anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship challenges while building effective coping skills for navigating life's complexities.
I understand that finding the right therapist who truly comprehends the intersection of queerness, gender identity, and mental health can feel overwhelming. My unique combination of professional training and lived experience as a queer woman with a trans partner, provides perspective that extends beyond academic understanding, allowing me to offer genuinely caring support that honors your full experience.
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IFS helps you understand and heal the different parts of yourself that may be carrying old emotional wounds from the past. IFS teaches you to see view every part of you with curiosity and compassion, even the parts that may carry shame.
IFS is especially helpful when addressing perfectionism, people-pleasing tendencies, disordered eating and self-esteem concerns.
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Provides creative expression when words fall short, helping you process complex emotions and experiences through non-verbal means. You don't need artistic skill—this approach focuses on insight and healing rather than aesthetic creation.
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Explores how past experiences shape current patterns in relationships and life, helping you understand the roots of mental health struggles while developing healthier ways of relating to yourself and others.
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ERP offers proven OCD treatment, providing concrete tools for managing obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors through structured exposure therapy exercises.
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While individual therapy provides personalized support, group therapy offers unique opportunities for peer connection and shared healing.
My groups create safe environments where LGBTQ individuals facing similar challenges can support each other's growth, practice interpersonal skills, and discover they're not alone in their mental health journey.
The journey
Reach out
You can schedule a free phone consultation by booking online.
Phone calls are around 20-30 minutes. I’ll answer any questions you have and you can be sure we’re a good fit.
Get Support
Join me each week to explore your relationship with food, and define what recovery and healing means to you.
We’ll use creative and insight-oriented approaches to understand the root of your issues and bring unconscious patterns into awareness.
Together, we’ll develop the tools you need to learn compassion and acceptance towards your body and yourself.
Take Back Your Life
You'll have healthier, more fulfilling relationships and you'll be ready to cope with stress without relying on your eating disorder. You’ll understand yourself better and feel more in control of your life.
You don’t have to keep hating your body.
I can help you accept your body as it is.
My Therapeutic Approach
I bring a relational, experiential approach that moves beyond traditional cognitive-behavioral methods. Rather than simply analyzing thoughts and behaviors, we engage your whole self—creativity, internal world, relationships, and body wisdom—in the healing process. This person-centered therapy recognizes you as the expert on your own life while I provide professional guidance and support.
My practice prioritizes creating a safe environment where all aspects of your identity are welcomed and affirmed. Whether you're a queer non-binary individual in tech struggling with perfectionism, a trans person navigating medical systems, or someone supporting a transitioning partner, you'll find understanding and expertise tailored to your specific situation.
What to Expect When Starting Therapy
Initial Consultation
Your journey begins with a free 20-minute phone consultation, easily scheduled through my website. This conversation helps us determine if we're the right therapeutic match—a crucial factor for successful treatment. We'll briefly discuss what brings you to therapy and how my approach might support your goals.
First Session Experience
If we decide to proceed, I'll send information for setting up your client portal and completing intake paperwork. During our first session, we'll explore:
What's bringing you to therapy now and your motivation for change
Your mental health history and previous therapy experiences
Specific concerns requiring attention, including screening for eating disorders or OCD
Your hopes for our work together and initial treatment goals
My therapeutic approach and what to expect in upcoming sessions
Ongoing Treatment Structure
Once established, we'll meet weekly for one-hour sessions at a consistent day and time—your dedicated space for healing and growth.
Some people benefit from more frequent meetings or extended 90-minute sessions during intensive treatment phases.
Between sessions, I may provide journal prompts for reflection, and those engaged in ERP for OCD will complete specific homework exercises to reinforce progress.
I believe the first few therapy sessions serve as a way to see if we’re a good fit, ensuring you feel comfortable and confident in our therapeutic relationship.
Supporting your mental health journey.
Success in therapy requires active participation and commitment to the process. Research shows that clients who consistently attend sessions, complete homework, and practice coping skills between appointments achieve better outcomes. I'll support your journey by:
Tailoring treatment plans to your unique needs and goals
Providing consistent, reliable support through life transitions
Offering practical tools for managing symptoms and improving well-being
Adjusting our approach based on your feedback and evolving needs
Helping you build broader support networks within Philadelphia's LGBTQ community
Whether you're addressing depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, or navigating complex life transitions, therapy provides structured support for creating meaningful change. Together, we'll work toward building a fulfilling life that aligns with your authentic self while developing resilience for future challenge
Why Choose My Practice for Mental Health Support
Philadelphia offers many therapists, but few combine specialized expertise in LGBTQ mental health, eating disorders, and trauma with a genuinely caring, relational approach. My unique qualifications include:
Advanced training in eating disorder treatment and gender-affirming care
Personal investment in the LGBTQ community through lived experience
Integration of creative and experiential modalities beyond traditional talk therapy
Understanding of how multiple identities and mental health challenges intersect
Commitment to providing culturally competent, affirming care
My Society Hill location provides convenient access for clients throughout Philadelphia, PA, with both in-person therapy and online therapy options ensuring consistent support regardless of your circumstances. Virtual counseling maintains the same quality of care as in-person sessions, offering flexibility for busy schedules or when physical presence isn't possible.
Begin Your Healing Journey Today
Taking the first step toward mental health support requires courage, especially when past experiences may have left you feeling misunderstood or marginalized. My practice offers a different experience—one where your full identity is welcomed, your struggles are validated, and your capacity for growth is honored.
You deserve support from a therapist who genuinely cares about your well-being and provides professional expertise tailored to your unique needs. Whether you're ready to address long-standing mental health issues, navigate current life transitions, or simply need someone who understands the complexity of your experience, I'm here to support your journey.
Your story matters. Your mental health deserves attention. Your authentic self is worth celebrating. Through compassionate, professional counseling that honors all aspects of who you are, you can find healing, develop effective strategies for managing life's challenges, and create the meaningful, fulfilling life you deserve.
Contact me today to schedule your free 20-minute consultation and take the first step toward comprehensive mental health care in Philadelphia, PA. Visit my website to learn more about my therapeutic approach and how we might work together toward your healing and growth