Therapy for Queer & Trans Teens in Philadelphia: Finding Support That Actually Gets It

Being a queer or trans teen today comes with its own unique set of challenges. Between figuring out who you are, navigating relationships, and dealing with a world that doesn't always understand, it can feel overwhelming. If you're searching for therapy that truly affirms your identity rather than just tolerating it, you're in the right place. I'm here to create a space where you can explore your authentic self, work through difficult emotions, and build the confidence to live as who you really are.

Understanding What Makes Therapy for Queer & Trans Teens Different

The Unique Struggles You Might Be Facing

If you're a queer or trans teen in Philadelphia, you might be dealing with challenges that feel invisible to the adults around you. Maybe you're struggling with anxiety about how others perceive your gender expression, or feeling down because people keep misgendering you. Perhaps you're noticing complicated feelings about your body or your relationship with food that seem tangled up with your gender identity.

You might also be dealing with the weight of perfectionism, worried about disappointing people or not measuring up to some impossible standard. Maybe you feel lonely, even when you're surrounded by people, because you can't fully be yourself. These feelings aren't failures on your part. They're natural responses to living in a heteronormative and binary world.

In my practice, I see how these struggles show up differently for each person. Some teens I work with are navigating coming out while others are figuring out what transition means for them. Some are dealing with family members who are struggling to understand, while others are managing the stress of being the only out person in their school. Whatever you're experiencing, you deserve support that recognizes the complexity of your situation.

Why Working with Someone Who Has Specialized Training Matters

Not all therapists have experience working with LGBTQ+ youth, and that matters more than you might think. When you work with someone who specializes in queer and trans affirming care, you don't have to spend your precious therapy time educating them about basic concepts or worrying about how they'll react to who you are.

I bring both professional training in gender-affirming care and personal understanding to this work. Being married to a trans woman has given me insight into the lived experiences of the trans community that goes beyond textbooks. I know what it's like to navigate healthcare systems, deal with misgendering, and celebrate gender euphoria. This combination of training and lived proximity to the trans experience means I can meet you where you are without judgment or confusion.

My approach celebrates your identity as a strength, not something that needs to be fixed or managed. I understand that the stress you're experiencing often comes from external pressures, discrimination, and lack of acceptance rather than from who you are. This perspective shapes everything about how I work with teens.

Creating Space Where You Can Actually Be Yourself

When you walk into therapy with me, whether we're meeting in person in Philadelphia or online, you'll find a space where your pronouns are always respected, your chosen name is the only name I'll use, and your identity is seen as something beautiful. I'm committed to ongoing learning about LGBTQ+ issues and staying current with the evolving understanding of gender and sexuality.

I see you as the expert on your own life. My job isn't to tell you who you are or who you should be. Instead, I'm here to help you explore your own truth, navigate challenges, and develop the skills to thrive as your authentic self. This kind of environment makes it possible to do the vulnerable work of therapy, whether that's processing past hurts, exploring your identity, or building confidence for the future.

How I Work with Queer & Trans Teens: My Therapeutic Approach

Affirmative Therapy: More Than Just Acceptance

I practice affirmative therapy, which means I don't just accept your identity—I celebrate it. Your queerness or transness isn't something to overcome or work around. It's a fundamental part of who you are, and in our work together, it's treated with the respect and appreciation it deserves.

This approach recognizes that many of the challenges you're facing come from living in a society that can be hostile or invalidating to LGBTQ+ people. We'll work together to help you differentiate between your authentic feelings and the messages you've internalized from the outside world. Building this awareness is powerful because it helps you reclaim your sense of self from the narratives that don't serve you.

Affirmative therapy also means I'm committed to understanding your unique experience. I recognize that being a queer teen in 2025 is different from what it was even five years ago. Social media, changing laws, and evolving cultural attitudes all shape your experience, and I stay informed about these realities so I can better support you.

Using Art Therapy for Expression When Words Aren't Enough

Sometimes the feelings you're experiencing are too big or too complicated for words. That's where art therapy comes in. As a trained art therapist, I use creative expression as a powerful tool for exploring identity, processing emotions, and working through difficult experiences.

You don't need any artistic skill or experience to benefit from art therapy. This isn't about creating something "good"—it's about using the creative process to access feelings and insights that might be hard to reach through conversation alone. We might use drawing, painting, collage, or sculpture to explore questions about your gender identity, visualize what dysphoria feels like, or express experiences that feel too vulnerable to put into words at first.

Art therapy can be especially helpful for teens dealing with body image concerns or eating disorder behaviors. The creative process offers a way to externalize difficult feelings about your body and relationship with food, making them easier to examine and work through. It's a gentler, more exploratory approach than traditional talk therapy, and many of the teens I work with find it incredibly freeing.

Internal Family Systems: Understanding Your Inner World

Internal Family Systems, or IFS, is a way of understanding that we all have different parts of ourselves, sometimes with conflicting needs or beliefs. You might have a part that desperately wants to come out and another part that's terrified of rejection. One part might push for transition while another worries about losing important relationships.

In IFS, I help you get to know these different parts with curiosity and compassion rather than judgment. We explore what each part is trying to protect you from and what it needs. This approach is particularly helpful for queer and trans teens because it validates the complexity of your experience. You don't have to have everything figured out or feel one way all the time. We can honor all the parts of you while helping you move forward in a way that feels authentic.

This work often leads to greater self-compassion, which is something many of the teens I work with struggle with. When you can understand why different parts of you feel the way they do, it becomes easier to be kind to yourself even when things feel messy or contradictory.

Psychodynamic Therapy: Connecting Past and Present

Psychodynamic therapy helps us look at how your early experiences and family dynamics might be influencing how you feel and behave now. This can be really useful for sorting out which feelings are truly yours versus messages you absorbed from family, culture, or society about who you should be.

For queer and trans teens, this approach helps untangle complicated family dynamics around identity. We might explore how your family's reactions to your coming out or transition have affected you, or look at patterns in your relationships that stem from not feeling fully accepted for who you are. Understanding these connections doesn't change the past, but it can help you feel more in control of your present and future.

This deeper exploration takes time and requires building trust, which is why I always let you set the pace. Some sessions might go deep into processing past experiences while others focus more on what's happening right now in your life.

Exposure and Response Prevention for Anxiety and OCD

If you're dealing with significant anxiety or obsessive-compulsive patterns, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) can be incredibly effective. This is a structured approach where we work together to gradually face situations that trigger anxiety while learning not to rely on the compulsive behaviors that temporarily reduce discomfort but keep the cycle going.

For queer and trans teens, anxiety might show up around social situations, fears about being perceived correctly, intrusive thoughts about your identity, or obsessive worries about your appearance. ERP helps you build tolerance for these uncomfortable feelings and learn that you can handle them without the anxiety controlling your life.

I assign homework between sessions when we're doing ERP work. This might involve monitoring your anxious thoughts and compulsive behaviors, practicing exposure exercises, or working on resisting compulsions. The structured nature of this approach gives you concrete tools and measurable progress, which many teens find motivating and empowering.

Specialized Support for Transgender Teens

Navigating Social Transition

If you're considering or in the process of social transition—changing your name, pronouns, or how you present yourself—this is a significant journey that deserves thoughtful support. I can help you explore what feels right for you without any pressure to move faster or slower than you're ready for.

We'll talk through what different steps of social transition might look like and practice conversations you might need to have with family, friends, or school staff. I can help you think through timing, safety considerations, and how to handle different people's reactions. Your transition is yours to define, and we'll work at whatever pace feels authentic to you.

Understanding the Connection Between Gender Dysphoria and Eating Disorders

Gender dysphoria and eating disorders often intersect in complex ways for trans teens. You might be using food restriction, purging, or other eating disorder behaviors as a way to cope with dysphoria or to try to control how your body develops. Maybe you're trying to suppress certain physical characteristics or achieve a body that feels more aligned with your gender.

This is an area where I have specialized training that sets my practice apart. Traditional eating disorder treatment often relies on heteronormative narratives about body acceptance that can feel alienating or even harmful for trans people. I understand that your relationship with your body is complicated by gender dysphoria, and recovery needs to honor that reality.

My approach to eating disorder treatment for trans teens is relational and experiential rather than focusing solely on cognitive-behavioral techniques. We'll use art therapy to explore your feelings about your body and food in ways that feel safer than direct conversation. We'll work with IFS to understand the parts of you that are using eating disorder behaviors and what they're trying to protect you from.

I also recognize that for some trans teens, certain aspects of eating disorder recovery need to be approached differently. We'll work together to find a path forward that supports both your gender journey and your healing from disordered eating, without forcing you to choose between them.

Supporting Your Whole Self Through Transition

Whether you're just beginning to question your gender or you're well into medical transition, I'm here to support you through all of it. I understand that transition isn't a linear process and that what you need from therapy might change as your journey evolves.

If you're exploring medical transition options like hormone therapy, I can provide support as you navigate those decisions and adjustments. While I don't prescribe medication, I can help you process the emotional aspects of starting or being on hormones, deal with any anxiety about the process, and celebrate the changes you're experiencing.

Building Your Resilience and Coping Skills

Developing Confidence in How You Express Your Identity

Learning to express your identity confidently in a world that doesn't always understand or accept you takes practice and support. We'll work on building your inner confidence so you can show up as yourself in different contexts, whether that's at school, with family, or in your broader community.

This might involve practicing conversations about your identity, exploring different ways of expressing yourself that feel safe and authentic, or working through internalized shame and self-doubt. I'll help you find your voice and trust your own feelings and choices about who you are and how you want to present yourself.

Building this confidence is a gradual process. Some days will feel easier than others, and that's completely normal. What matters is that you're developing a strong sense of self that isn't dependent on everyone else's approval or understanding.

Managing Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are common struggles for queer and trans teens, often tied to experiences of discrimination, feeling misunderstood, or the general stress of navigating a world that isn't always affirming. These feelings can be heavy and overwhelming, affecting your sleep, your relationships, your ability to focus at school, and your overall quality of life.

In our work together, we'll develop practical strategies for managing these feelings. This might include learning grounding techniques, challenging negative thought patterns, creating routines that support your mental health, or exploring how social isolation and family dynamics might be contributing to your depression or anxiety.

I'll also help you understand when these feelings might be situational responses to real stressors in your life versus patterns that need more intensive support. Having that awareness helps you respond to your mental health needs more effectively.

Navigating Social Situations and Relationships

Social dynamics can be really challenging when you're a queer or trans teen. You might be figuring out how to respond when someone misgenders you, dealing with friends who don't quite get it, or navigating complex peer dynamics at school. Maybe you're trying to build connections with other LGBTQ+ people or strengthen the friendships you already have while being more authentic.

We'll work on developing skills for these social challenges. This could include learning how to set boundaries with people who aren't supportive, finding ways to connect with accepting communities, or building confidence in making new friends. We might also create safety plans for situations that feel particularly difficult or risky.

The goal is to help you feel more prepared and less alone when facing social challenges. You deserve friendships and relationships where you can be fully yourself, and we'll work on helping you find and nurture those connections.

What to Expect When Working with Me

Starting with a Free Consultation

If you're thinking about therapy, the first step is a free 20-minute phone consultation. You can book this directly through my website. This conversation gives us both a chance to see if we might be a good fit. You can tell me a bit about what's bringing you to therapy, ask questions about my approach, and get a sense of whether you feel comfortable with me.

There's no pressure during this call. If you decide you want to move forward, we'll schedule your first session and I'll send you an email with information about setting up your client portal and completing intake paperwork. If you're not sure yet or want to think about it, that's completely okay too.

Your First Therapy Session

In our first session together, we'll talk about what's bringing you to therapy right now and what you're hoping to get out of our work together. I'll ask some questions about your history, your current situation, and your mental health. If relevant, I'll screen for things like eating disorders, anxiety, or depression to make sure I understand the full picture of what you're experiencing.

I'll also explain more about how I work, what approaches I might use with you, and what you can expect in our early sessions. It's important to me that you understand the process and feel like an active participant in your own therapy. I see those first few sessions as a time for both of us to figure out if this is a good fit. You should feel comfortable asking questions and sharing any concerns.

How We'll Work Together Ongoing

Once we've established that we're a good fit, we'll typically meet weekly for hour-long sessions. We'll choose a consistent day and time that becomes your regular slot. Some teens I work with prefer to meet more than once a week or for longer 90-minute sessions, and we can discuss those options if it feels right for you.

Between sessions, I might send journal prompts or other exercises, especially if we're working on specific skills. If we're doing ERP for anxiety or OCD, you'll have homework each week that involves monitoring your thoughts and practicing exposure exercises.

All of this work happens at your pace. I'm here to support you, challenge you when it's helpful, and provide a consistent space where you can be fully yourself while working toward the changes you want to see in your life.

The Benefits of Group Therapy for LGBTQ+ Teens

In addition to individual therapy, I also offer group therapy specifically for LGBTQ+ teens. Group work provides a unique kind of support that complements individual sessions.

Finding Your Community

One of the most powerful aspects of group therapy is connecting with other young people who understand what you're going through. When you meet other queer and trans teens who are navigating similar challenges, it can dramatically reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. There's something really special about being in a room where you don't have to explain the basics, where everyone just gets it.

These connections often extend beyond the therapy room. The friendships formed in group therapy can become an important part of your support system, giving you people to reach out to when things are tough or to celebrate with when things are going well.

Learning from Each Other

In group therapy, you get to hear how other teens are handling challenges you might be facing too. Someone might share a strategy for dealing with unsupportive family members that you hadn't thought of. You might offer perspective that helps someone else see their situation differently. This collaborative learning is incredibly valuable and often leads to insights that might not have emerged in individual therapy alone.

Taking the Next Step

If you're a queer or trans teen in Philadelphia looking for therapy that truly affirms who you are, or if you're a parent seeking support for your teen, I'd love to talk with you. Finding the right therapist can make all the difference in your mental health journey, and I'm committed to creating a space where you can explore your identity, work through challenges, and build confidence in living as your authentic self.

My practice is built on understanding the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ youth, particularly the intersection of gender identity, eating disorders, body image, and mental health. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, gender dysphoria, relationship struggles, or just trying to figure out who you are in a world that can feel confusing and overwhelming, you deserve support that meets you where you are.

You can book a free 20-minute consultation through my website to see if we might be a good fit. During that call, we can talk about what you're looking for and I can answer any questions you have about my approach, availability, or anything else that's on your mind.

Taking this step toward getting support is brave, and you don't have to have everything figured out before you reach out. Wherever you are in your journey, I'm here to walk alongside you with warmth, understanding, and genuine celebration of who you are.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes therapy with you different from other therapists?

I'm a queer-identified eating disorder therapist with specialized training in gender-affirming care. I understand the complex intersection of gender identity and eating disorder recovery in ways that many therapists don't. Being married to a trans woman also gives me personal insight into the trans experience that informs my work. I use a relational, experiential approach incorporating art therapy, IFS, and psychodynamic therapy rather than relying primarily on CBT.

Do you work with teens who aren't sure about their gender identity yet?

Absolutely. Exploring your identity is a process, and you don't need to have everything figured out to start therapy. I create space for questioning, uncertainty, and change. My role is to support you in your exploration, not to push you toward any particular outcome.

What if my parents aren't supportive of my identity?

I work with teens individually to build resilience and coping skills regardless of their family situation. While having supportive parents helps, I can still provide valuable support even when families are struggling. In some cases, I can also offer guidance to parents, though my primary focus is always on you and your wellbeing.

Can therapy help with eating disorders related to gender dysphoria?

Yes, this is actually one of my specialties. I understand how gender dysphoria and eating disorders often intersect for trans teens, and I provide treatment that addresses both simultaneously rather than treating them as separate issues. My approach respects that traditional eating disorder recovery narratives often don't work well for trans people.

How do I know if group therapy or individual therapy is right for me?

Many teens benefit from both. Individual therapy provides personalized support for your specific challenges, while group therapy offers connection with peers and reduces isolation. During our consultation, we can talk about what might work best for you.

What happens if I'm not ready to talk about everything right away?

That's completely normal and expected. Building trust takes time, and I never push you to share more than you're comfortable with. We can start with creative activities through art therapy or focus on present-day concerns while you build comfort. Therapy moves at your pace.

Do you see teens who are already on hormones or pursuing medical transition?

Yes. I work with transgender teens at all stages of their journey, including those who are on hormone therapy or considering medical transition. I provide emotional support through the transition process. While I don’t prescribe medications myself, I support teens and their parents by collaborating with their prescribing physicians.

What if I live outside Philadelphia?

I offer both in-person sessions in Philadelphia and online therapy sessions, so location isn't necessarily a barrier. During our consultation call, we can discuss what format would work best for your situation.