Therapy for Queer and Trans Teens in Philadelphia, PA
Raising a queer kid wasn’t in the parenting books, and you’re scared of getting it wrong.
you love your child more than anthing, and you’re in uncharted waters.
As a teen, you’re questioning who you are and who you want to be, but you feel scared and alone. You both wish you had someone to talk to, but you don’t who to turn to.
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Maybe your teen just came out as queer, and they want to bring over their new significant other. You’re on board, but you’re worried about how the grandparents will react at Thanksgiving.
Perhaps your teen told you they’re trans, and they want to come out at school. Your mind is reeling with how to tell your kid’s teachers, and you don’t even know where to begin with the name-change process.
Your teen might want to pursue hormone therapy, and you’re hesitant to move forward because you worry your child will be targeted for their identity. You don’t know how you feel about HRT and lie awake at night wondering about the side effects.
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You find yourself wanting to stay in your room, and not leave the house.
You’ve seen some videos on social media about being queer or trans, and thought, “oh that’s me”
The changes in your body don’t feel “right” to you, and looking in the mirror creates a pit in your stomach.
At school, you keep comparing yourself to your friends, especially if they’re cis.
You wish you had more queer and trans friends, but you feel too shy to talk to people.
You want to start hormone therapy, but you don’t know where to start and your parents seem to change the subject whenever you bring it up.
How we’ll work together
You and your teen deserve to feel seen, safe, and supported.
My commitment to you as a parent…
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I bring both of you into the therapy process from the start, because so much of the healing happens outside of the therapy room. You know your child better than anyone, and your role is crucial to your kid’s well-being. We'll work together to create a plan that supports your child every step of the way.
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Depending on your situation, you may attend every therapy session or join on an as-needed basis.
Some sessions might include both you and your teen in the room, while others will focus solely on your child. Teen sessions are private, but some details may be shared depending on your child's preferences and goals. We’ll decide together what makes the most sense as we go.
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I take a holistic approach to therapy, which means I look at how home life, school, and friendships impact your child’s mental and emotional well-being. I stay in close touch with teachers, doctors, and other providers to make sure the support your family gets is coordinated and truly in sync with your teen’s goals.
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It’s okay to feel overwhelmed when your teen comes out to you. It’s a journey for you too, and you deserve a place where you can be honest about your feelings.
I offer parent support sessions without your child present, so you can share those feelings in a judgment-free space. We’ll come up with strategies to help you communicate with your teen and support them throughout this process.
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In our work together, we’ll come up with ways to take care of yourself while also being the steady, affirming presence your child needs. You don’t have to choose between your own well-being and showing up for your teen. We’ll make room for both.
My commitment to you as a teen…
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I’ll take the time to get to know you. There’s no pressure to share anything you don’t want to, and we’ll move at a pace that feels right for you. I will always remain curious and open to your experiences.
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I’m here to help you talk through friend drama, breaks-ups, and that one teacher who just doesn’t get it. We can figure out ways to deal with the stuff that feels overwhelming.
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Whether you’re questioning your identity, trying out new pronouns, or realizing you're attracted to the same gender, I’m here to help you process it all.
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A space where you can talk through logistics around coming out and create a plan of how you want to tell your family members, friends and school teachers.
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Art therapy is a great option if you struggle to open up or don’t feel like talking some days. You don’t need to be artistic to benefit from art therapy.
My Therapeutic Approach
As a queer and gender-affirming therapist, I aim to provide a space where your teen can show up as their whole self. I provide care that centers your kid’s unique experiences and truly celebrates their idenities. I am trained in a variety of modalities to help support your teen’s goals.
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Art therapy provides a powerful outlet for teens when feelings are difficult to express in words. Through creative work, teens can:
Visualize their gender identity and journey
Process experiences of dysphoria or discrimination
Experiment with different aspects of self-expression
Address trauma and anxiety through non-verbal means
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IFS helps queer teens understand the different parts of themselves that may feel in conflict. IFS can help teens build more confidence and compassion towards themselves.
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Psychodynamic therapy can help teens understand their struggles with friendships, dating, and family in a deeper way. They may be stuck in patterns that they’re not aware of and may gravitate towards people that don’t align with who they are. I support teens by guiding them towards these new insights and using that information to make positive changes in their lives.
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If you’re teen in struggling with OCD, ERP is an evidenced-based therapy approach that helps them face their fears and break the cycle of compulsions. ERP is a collaborative process where we will come up with exposure exercises that your teen will practice both in session and at home. I provide parent support sessions to help you understand your teen’s OCD and learn ways to implement ERP at home.
Comprehensive Support Services
Weekly one-hour sessions provide consistent support as your teen navigates their unique journey. We work together on:
Building confidence in identity expression
Developing coping strategies for stress, self-esteem issues, and dysphoria
Improving relationships with family members and peers
Managing anxiety and depression
Addressing perfectionism and people-pleasing
Navigating social transition decisions
Specialized Eating Disorder Treatment
I help queer and transgender teens and adults who are struggling with food and body image issues. Many trans teens use disordered eating to cope with gender dysphoria and confidence issues. My approach is nuanced and considers the unique struggles that queer and trans teens face in recovery. Learn more about eating disorder therapy for teens.
Group Therapy for Social Support
Group sessions offer invaluable peer support, allowing teens to connect with others who share similar experiences. These groups provide:
Community and reduced isolation
Shared strategies for managing challenges
Celebration of identity milestones
Development of lasting supportive friendship
Family Support and Guidance
Supporting a trans child affects the entire family system. I help parents navigate their own emotions while learning to provide effective emotional support. This includes:
Education about gender identity and transgender issues
Strategies for using correct names and pronouns
Communication techniques for family harmony
Guidance on advocating for your child at school and in the community
Processing parental feelings of concern, grief, or confusion
Supporting Social Transition
Social transition can involve your child wanting to change their name, pronouns, and gender expression. It acan also include coming out to their school, church, and families. Social transition is a significant milestone in your teen’s journey, which can be both exciting and scary. I provide comprehensive support through this process, including:
Exploring what feels authentic and right for your teen
Practicing coming-out conversations for different contexts
Building resilience for handling varied responses
Developing strategies for navigating school environments
Creating safety plans for challenging situations
Together, we work at your teen's pace, recognizing that transition is a personal journey without a single "right" path. Some youth need time to explore, while others feel certain about their needs. I honor both experiences equally.
As a parent, therapy can help you…
Feel More Connected to Your Kid
This process is a journey for both of you. You’ll naturally feel closer, and you’ll understand your child more.
Stay Grounded in Your Emotions
Learn strategies to be calm during conversations with your kid, (even when you’re internally freaking out).
Learn New Ways to Support Your Teen
Whether it’s using their pronouns, taking them shopping or going to queer meet-ups, your kid will feel truly seen by you.
As a teen, therapy can help you…
Feel More Confident
Feel bold enough to audition for the next play and have the courage to ask that cool, new friend to hang out after class.
Express Yourself
Explore ways to feel good in your identity, whether it’s trying new clothes, finding new role models, or exploring gender affirming care.
Find your people
You’ll learn ways to meet people who you can laugh and have fun with. You’ll build relationships with people you can trust, and who really get you.
you and your teen don’t have to feel alone on this journey.
Together, let’s help your teen discover who they are and thrive.
Questions?
FAQs
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A: I have 10 years of experience providing individual. family, and group therapy to queer and trans teens. Additionally, I have advanced training in affirming therapy for trans communities.
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A: I also recommend connecting to either a pediatrician who specializes in trans youth or a gender clinic. CHOP’s Gender and Sexuality Program in Philadelphia is a great resource, and also includes support groups for you and your teen.
Your teen will also benefit from seeing a gender-affirming therapist. A therapist can help your teen explore their gender identity and map out the next steps in their journey. Gender affirming therapy will also provide you with support.
Click here to read more about hormone therapy for transgender teens.
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My approach includes both you and your teen in therapy. I truly believe that parents are crucial to their teen’s success in treatment. My goal is for your teen to have a safe space that is their own, while supporting and empowering you as the parent.
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It’s completely normal for teens to explore their identity and even try on different lables. Research shows that supporting your teen’s gender expression lowers the risk of depression and anxiety. Only time will tell on what your teen’s journey will hold. Regardless of your teen’s gender, meeting them where they are at in their journey will be helpful.
Why Choose Ruberti Counseling Services
My unique qualifications for supporting LGBTQ youth include:
Lived Experience: As a queer therapist with a trans spouse, I bring personal understanding alongside professional expertise
Specialized Training: Advanced education in both gender-affirming care and eating disorder treatment
Integrative Approach: Multiple therapeutic modalities allow personalized treatment for each teen's needs
Community Connection: Deep roots in Philadelphia's LGBTQ community and understanding of local resources
Non-Pathologizing Stance: I view diverse identities as natural variations to be celebrated, not problems to be fixed
