a safe place to explore your identity and reclaim joy
Gender Affirming Therapy in Philadelphia, PA
Helping LGBTQ and transgender individuals find healing, a sense of purpose, and self-trust.
Looking to find meaning beyond the binary?
Your identity is allowed to evolve and change.
Maybe you’re questioning your gender and feel scared to tell your partner because you’re afraid they’ll leave you.
Perhaps you’re already transitioning, but are anxious to tell your boss out of fear of losing your job.
You’ve tried to push these feelngs down, hoping they’ll go away, but it’s not working. Maybe you thought you could live a double life and that would be enough. But ignoring these feelings has become impossible and your egg has cracked.
Perhaps you’ve already come out, but feel unsafe due to rising levels of prejudice.
You’re tired of educating cis people on queer and trans issues, only to walk away feeling exhausted and othered. You’re fed up with being told that people need to get used to you, making you feel like you’re some how the problem. You’re sick of being pressured to prioritize cis and straight people’s comfort.
You just want to live your life, but your existence has become a target for ignorance and hate.
Living in a world that often invalidates your identity can be emotionally draining. Whether you’re questioning your gender, navigating transition, exploring coming out or simply trying to feel at home in your body, the journey can be filled with both joy and stress.
Gender affirming therapy can help
It may feel impossible now, but you can find self-worth in a cis/heteronormative society. You can feel connected to a community that makes you feel seen. You can celebrate and access your true self. And I can help you get there.
If you’re queer, trans, non-binary, gender expansive or exploring your identity, this is a space where you don’t have to explain or hide yourself to feel safe. Identity can be a journey and a destination, and that is a positive thing. There’s no need to justify your gender, your queerness or any part of you. You deserve to be seen, supported and celebrated exactly as you are.
You might be carrying
Exhaustion from being misgendered
Grief from unsupportive family members, schools, or jobs
Gender dysphoria or body discomfort that makes getting through the day harder
Fear of judgment, rejection, or discrimination
Here’s what we’ll do together
My approach to gender-affirming therapy comes from a place of anti-oppression: believing that your struggles are not the problem but a normal reaction to homophobia and transphobia. You are not the issue— the systems that marginalize you are.
Gender-affirming therapy isn’t about pathologizing who you are. Together, we’ll work to:
Deepen self-understanding: Connect with your core self. Explore your identity without pressure or expectations.
Cultivate Inner Strength:Tap into your inner strength. Deepen relationships that are affirming and find your community.
Process and Heal: Work through gender dysphoria/discomfort, family pain, minority stress. Grieve what’s been lost and name what gives you joy.
Discover Purpose: Define what gives you a sense of purpose and learn radical self-acceptance.
I WANT YOU TO HEAR THIS:
Society focuses too much on the hardships of queer and trans people. You are more than your struggles. Your journey holds joy and connection too.
You don’t have to live life feeling like there is something wrong with you
It’s time to embrace who you are. I’ll help you get there.
Questions?
FAQs
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In our first session, I will ask you to share about your journey leading up to seeking therapy. Together, we’ll discuss what your hopes are for therapy and whether you have any specific goals.
We may discuss how oppressive systems are affecting your journey and sense of self. What makes you resilient and who is in your community?
I am always thinking about how privilege and oppression are showing up in the therapy room. I do my best to hold a safe space for you, with the awareness that I don’t know what it’s like to walk in your shoes.
I understand that being a therapist also makes me gatekeeper, especially when it comes to gender affirming healthcare. I do my best to reduce gatekeeping as much as possible.
Sessions may involve just talk therapy and mind-body approaches like art therapy and parts work, depending on what you’re looking for. If helpful, writing exercises are implemented between sessions to help support you outside of therapy.
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There is no set length for therapy. It all depends on your needs. I frequently check in on how therapy is going, which helps us stay focused on what is most important to you.
Sometimes goals/needs change in therapy, or you might realize that something is missing in sessions. I always center your needs in treatment and encourage feedback on what’s working for you and what’s not working
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I get it, starting therapy is a huge leap! Here are some things to consider:
You’re looking to explore your gender and feel ready to talk about it.
You’re considering HRT or gender affirming surgery and need support in how to take those next steps
You’re looking for a gender affirming letter.
You’re looking for a social justice, anti-oppressive approach to therapy.
You’re interested in trying non-traditional approaches to counseling (in addition to talk therapy).
You’re looking to do deeper work to understand yourself better.
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You can schedule a free phone consultation where we’ll discuss what’s bringing you to therapy and what you’re hoping to get out of sessions. You can schedule the phone call by clicking here and completing the Contact Form.
After the phone call, if you feel it’s a good fit, we can schedule that first appointment. You will receive an email to set up your client portal and complete the intake paperwork online. Once all of the forms are completed, your appointment will be confirmed.