Therapy for Queer & Trans Teens in Philadelphia
Specialized Mental Health Support for LGBTQ Youth
As a queer-identified gender affirming therapist in Philadelphia, I provide specialized mental health care for transgender youth navigating the complexities of identity, family dynamics, and personal growth. My practice offers a safe, affirming space where your teen can explore their authentic self while developing resilience and coping strategies for life's challenges.
Understanding that every young person's journey is unique, I combine professional expertise with personal insight—including my own experience as someone married to a trans woman—to create truly compassionate, informed care that celebrates rather than pathologizes diverse identities.
Understanding Your Teen's Mental Health Needs
LGBTQ youth face distinct mental health challenges that require specialized understanding and support. Gender dysphoria—the distress experienced when one's gender identity doesn't align with their assigned sex at birth—can intensify during adolescence, leading to increased anxiety and depression. Many transgender youth struggle with body dysphoria, social isolation, and the exhausting work of navigating spaces that don't fully understand or accept them.
These experiences often manifest as:
Persistent anxiety about identity expression and social acceptance
Depression stemming from feeling misunderstood or rejected
Complicated relationships with food and body image
Difficulty managing family relationships and peer connections
Struggles with self-worth and authenticity
Perfectionism and people-pleasing behaviors
Without proper support, these challenges can significantly impact your child's well-being and development. That's why working with a therapist who truly understands gender identity and LGBTQ issues makes such a crucial difference in treatment outcomes.
My Therapeutic Approach: Affirmative and Integrative
I practice affirmative therapy, which means I don't just accept your teen's identity—I actively celebrate and validate it as a natural part of human diversity. This approach recognizes that distress often comes not from being trans or queer, but from living in a world that doesn't always understand or support LGBTQ people.
My integrative approach combines multiple evidence-based modalities tailored to each teen's specific needs:
Art Therapy for Creative Expression
Art therapy provides a powerful outlet for youth to explore complex feelings that might be 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
Psychodynamic Therapy for Deeper Understanding
Through psychodynamic work, we explore how early experiences and family dynamics shape current feelings and behaviors. This helps teens distinguish between authentic identity and internalized messages from others, fostering greater self-understanding and freedom from limiting patterns.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) for Self-Compassion
IFS helps transgender youth understand and integrate different parts of themselves that may feel in conflict. We explore how protective parts might cause anxiety while trying to keep them safe, and work toward internal harmony and self-acceptance. This approach is particularly effective for addressing internalized transphobia and building genuine self-compassion.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD
For teens experiencing OCD alongside gender identity concerns, I incorporate ERP techniques with homework between sessions to build skills for managing obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors while navigating identity-related challenges.
Comprehensive Support Services
Individual Therapy for Teens
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 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 specialize in the complex intersection of eating disorders and gender identity. Many trans teens use disordered eating to cope with body dysphoria or control physical development. My approach recognizes that traditional eating disorder treatment can feel alienating to LGBTQ youth, so I provide culturally competent care that honors identity throughout recovery.
Group Therapy for Peer 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 friendships
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—changing names, pronouns, and gender expression—represents a significant milestone for many transgender youth. 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.
Creating a Safe Therapeutic Space
From the moment you enter my practice, you'll notice intentional signals of LGBTQ affirmation—from inclusive imagery to pride flags. These aren't just decorations; they're promises that this is a space where trans people are genuinely welcomed and celebrated.
I maintain this safety through:
Consistent use of chosen names and pronouns
Cultural humility and ongoing education about LGBTQ issues
Collaborative approach where your teen is the expert on their experience
Reliable follow-through on commitments and advocacy
Respect for your teen's autonomy and self-determination
Why Choose Ruberti Counseling Services
My unique qualifications for supporting LGBTQ youth include:
Lived Experience: As a queer-identified therapist married to a trans woman, 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
Starting Your Journey
Beginning therapy can feel daunting for both teens and parents. That's why I offer a free 20-minute phone consultation to ensure we're a good fit. During this call, we'll discuss:
Your teen's specific needs and goals
My therapeutic approach and how it might help
Practical considerations like scheduling and session structure
Any questions or concerns you might have
If we decide to work together, the first session focuses on understanding what brings your teen to therapy and what they hope to achieve. We'll explore their history at a comfortable pace while beginning to build the trust essential for effective therapeutic work.
Once established, we typically meet weekly, though some teens benefit from more frequent sessions during challenging periods. Between sessions, I may provide journal prompts or creative exercises to deepen our work. For teens addressing OCD, structured homework helps build skills for managing symptoms.
Supporting Your Teen's Mental Health Journey
Every LGBTQ youth deserves mental health care that not only accepts but actively affirms their identity. They deserve a therapist who understands the unique challenges of being transgender in today's world and can provide both practical strategies and genuine emotional support.
Through specialized therapy that addresses the intersection of identity, mental health, and family dynamics, your teen can develop the resilience, self-acceptance, and authentic self-expression needed to thrive. Together, we'll create a therapeutic space where your child feels truly seen, valued, and empowered to live as their authentic self.
Supporting Your Teen's Mental Health Journey
Every LGBTQ youth deserves mental health care that not only accepts but actively affirms their identity. They deserve a therapist who understands the unique challenges of being transgender in today's world and can provide both practical strategies and genuine emotional support.
Through specialized therapy that addresses the intersection of identity, mental health, and family dynamics, your teen can develop the resilience, self-acceptance, and authentic self-expression needed to thrive. Together, we'll create a therapeutic space where your child feels truly seen, valued, and empowered to live as their authentic self.
