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Trauma Therapy for LGBTQ+ Individuals in Philadelphia
Trauma therapy for queer and trans people who are ready to stop living in survival mode and start feeling grounded, connected and whole again.
Do you wake up everyday with a sinking feeling of dread?
Even when things are going well, you’re bracing yourself for something to go wrong.
You lie in bed at night, tossing and turning until it’s 3 in the morning. You’re exhausted. You have to go to work in 4 hours, and you can’t go on another day on little to no sleep.
Maybe you’ve been ghosted again after a promising couple of dates and are noticing a pattern of relationships that leave you feeling like you’re not good enough. You put everyone first, because taking care of yourself feels selfish.
You stay in relationships way beyond their expiration date because you don’t want to hurt their feelings, even though you’re miserable.
Past events keep replaying in your head, no matter how hard you try to push them out.
Sometimes you’re hit with intense anxiety that seems to come out of nowhere, and the tiniest inconvenience will fill you with so much rage that you lash out at your partner (even though you don’t want to).
You feel insecure and worry you’ll never find someone who truly loves you. You make yourself small because you’ve been taught that your feelings are an inconvenience and that they don’t matter.
Perhaps you walk on eggshells around people because you don’t know how they’ll react.
You struggle to feel confident in your own choices because you’re not even sure who you are deep down. All you know is that you’re afraid to show people “the real you”, so you keep people at arm’s length—even though you feel lonely and want a meaningful connection with someone.
Maybe you’re struggling with…
Feeling like you’re always on high-alert and having to access a situation on whether it’s safe.
Doom-scrolling on your phone or drinking at night to take the edge off
Intense fear and panic triggered by certain smells, sounds, and sights
Thoughts of not wanting to be here and that you’re a burden to others
Zoning out when feeling stressed, spacing out in conversations, and feeling like you’ve lost time.
Recurring nightmares and bad dreams
Trauma therapy Can help
It may feel impossible now, but you can have trusting relationships where you feel loved and supported. You can make decisions without second-guessing yourself. And I can help you get there.
When bad things happen, especially over and over again, they can have a lasting effect that doesn’t just go away on its own. As a queer trauma therapist, I understand how painful experiences can shape the way you see yourself, your body, and your relationships. I specialize in helping LGBTQ+ folks make sense of the overlap between trauma, identity, and eating struggles, so you can start to feel more at home in yourself. This is a space where every part of you is welcome—no explaining, no hiding, no judgment.
how trauma therapy works
My approach to trauma therapy is rooted in compassion. I use Internal Family Systems to help you explore your inner world and connect with your true self.
I’ll help you understand the parts of you that feel conflicted, so you can move forward with more ease and confidence.
I use specialized mind-body approaches to help you tap in your emotions in ways that words may not reach.
My approach gives you the possibility of healing without needing to remember every detail of the past or say everything out loud. This means you are in full control of this process every step of the way.
As a relational therapist, I’m trained to attune not just to your words, but also to your body language and the many ways you communicate. This will help us know when to take a break if therapy feels too intense.
Together, we’ll explore the different sides of yourself that may feel in conflict with each other, and the parts of you that may bring you feelings of shame.
We’ll approach each part of you with openness and compassion so you can understand yourself more. As you and your parts start to gain more trust, we’ll work to heal the emotional wounds from your past that are keeping you stuck.
In therapy, you’ll learn how find balance in your inner world, so your true self can lead with clarity and strength.
Instead of feeling torn in different directions, you’ll start to feel more grounded and confident in yourself.
Specialized Trauma-Focused Therapy That Honors Your Identity
If you’ve ever sat in therapy feeling like you had to explain or shrink parts of yourself, you’re not alone. Too often, trauma therapy overlooks what it means to live in a world that hasn’t always felt safe or affirming for queer and trans people. In our work together, we’ll name those realities and make space for all of you—the parts that have learned to protect, hide, or fight just to get by. You don’t have to leave pieces of yourself at the door to heal.
Maybe coming out cost you relationships you thought would always be there. Maybe your relationship with food and your body feels tangled up with how you see yourself and your gender. Or maybe you’re just tired of feeling unseen, misgendered, or judged for who you are. In our work together, you’ll have space to lay it all down—to be fully yourself without having to explain or justify a thing. Every part of you is welcome here.
You don’t have to explain what it means to be queer, trans, or figuring it out—I already get it. You don’t have to teach me about binders, chosen family, or what it’s like to constantly assess where you’ll feel safe. This is a space where you can exhale and focus on your own healing instead of having to educate your therapist. As a queer person myself, I know how powerful it can feel to finally be understood.
My Approach to Trauma Therapy
Art Therapy for Processing Traumatic Experiences
Sometimes talking about what happened feels impossible—or it just doesn’t help anymore.
Art gives you another way to express what words can’t quite reach. You don’t need to be an artist; the goal isn’t to make something pretty—it’s to make something real.
Putting your feelings on paper can bring a sense of relief and clarity, helping you see what’s been sitting heavy inside. Creative expression helps you make sense of your story in a way that feels safe and grounded
Psychodynamic Therapy for Complex Trauma
Sometimes the things that hurt us early on show up in ways we don’t expect—in our relationships, our confidence, or the way we talk to ourselves. Together, we’ll start to notice how those old patterns still affect you, and gently work on shifting them. For many queer and trans folks, that might mean untangling how growing up around judgment or having to hide parts of yourself shaped the way you see your worth. You don’t have to keep repeating those same old stories—you can build relationships, and a life, that feel safer and more true to you.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
You might feel like there are different sides of you constantly pulling in opposite directions—one part trying to keep it together, another exhausted from holding everything in, and another that just wants to be free from it all. In therapy, we’ll get to know those parts and understand what each one is trying to protect. Maybe one part feels safer when you control food, another pushes you to be perfect so you won’t get hurt, and another carries deep shame about who you are. Each of these parts has been trying to help in its own way, even if those ways don’t work anymore. Together, we’ll help them stop working against each other so you can feel more peace and trust within yourself.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
For those experiencing OCD alongside trauma-related symptoms, I incorporate ERP techniques. This evidence-based approach helps you gradually face trauma reminders while resisting compulsive behaviors.
In the LGBTQ+ context, this might include working through social anxiety about authentic presentation or managing intrusive thoughts about identity and belonging.
What we’ll work on
Specialized therapy for trauma can help you…
Choose relationships where you feel supported and let go of the ones that drain your energy.
Increase self-confidence, set clear boundaries and build a future rooted in what really matters to you.
Handle daily stress with more ease and stay grounded when emotions feel intense.
Let go of shame so you can breathe easier, find joy in the simple moments, and live fully in the here and now.
Release the tension in your body so you can relax and feel more comfortable in your own skin.
Explore new interests, revisit old passions, and reconnect with the values you may have left behind.
your worth doesn’t need to be proven to anyone
In our work together, you’ll experience what it feels like to be truly seen, creating a path for healthier relationships in your life.
The Intersection of Trauma, Identity, and Eating Disorders
If you’ve ever felt like your trauma, your body, and your gender are all tangled together, you’re not imagining it. A lot of eating disorder treatment is built around straight, cis experiences—and that can leave queer and trans folks feeling unseen or misunderstood. My work takes those layers into account. Together, we’ll look at how trauma, identity, and your relationship with food all connect—and gently start to untangle them in a way that feels safe and affirming. You don’t have to leave any part of yourself out of the healing process.
If you’re trans or non-binary, you probably know how tightly your body image and gender can feel connected. Sometimes controlling food feels like one of the only ways to manage dysphoria or feel a little more at home in your body. And when you’ve had to face misgendering or discrimination, all that stress can build up and make things even harder. In therapy, we’ll hold space for all of this—how gender, trauma, and your relationship with food intertwine—because your healing deserves more than a one-size-fits-all approach. You don’t have to fit someone else’s idea of recovery to start feeling better in your own skin.
If you’re going through a medical transition while also trying to heal from disordered eating or trauma, it can feel like you’re constantly walking a tightrope. Together, we’ll sort through what’s helping you feel more at home in your body—and what might be making things harder, even when you’re just trying to cope. I know how complicated that can feel, especially when so many providers don’t fully get it. You don’t have to explain yourself here. I understand these layers, and we’ll move through them together at a pace that feels right for you
Who Benefits from My Trauma-Focused Treatment
My trauma therapy services are designed for LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing:
Identity-based trauma: Family rejection, religious trauma, conversion therapy aftermath, or discrimination
Complex PTSD: Resulting from prolonged exposure to invalidation, emotional abuse, or chronic minority stress
Eating disorders with trauma: When disordered eating intertwines with traumatic experiences or identity struggles
Anxiety disorders: Including OCD, social anxiety, and panic related to identity or traumatic events
Relationship challenges: Difficulty with boundaries, trust, or intimacy following traumatic experiences
Gender-related distress: Dysphoria complicated by trauma or traumatic responses to transition-related experiences
You might find yourself feeling overwhelmed by emotions in everyday moments—or sometimes, you just shut down completely. Maybe it’s hard to feel present in your own body. Whatever it looks like for you, you deserve care that meets you with compassion, not judgment. Therapy helps you understand what’s really going on, and find ways to move through it.
What to Expect from Trauma Therapy with Me
Your First Step
Begin with a free 20-minute phone consultation, easily scheduled through my website. This conversation helps us both determine if we're a good fit for trauma-focused therapy. I'll ask about what brings you to treatment and explain how my approach addresses your specific needs.
Initial Sessions
Our first meeting explores your traumatic experiences, current challenges, and hopes for healing. I'll ask about your history with food, body image, and identity while screening for various mental health conditions. I'll be transparent about my trauma-informed approach and how it specifically addresses the intersection of trauma, identity, and any disordered eating patterns.
These initial sessions let you experience my style and determine if it feels supportive. Creating this safe and supportive environment is essential for effective trauma work.
Ongoing Treatment
We typically meet weekly for one-hour trauma therapy sessions, with options for 90-minute sessions or increased frequency when actively processing traumatic memories or preparing for significant transitions. Between sessions, I may provide tailored journal prompts or, when using ERP, specific exercises to practice coping skills.
My collaborative approach means you're the expert on your experience while I provide specialized trauma-informed care and evidence-based techniques. Together, we'll develop coping strategies that honor your authentic self while addressing trauma's impact on your daily life.
Group Therapy for Shared Healing
Beyond individual trauma therapy, I offer group therapy specifically for LGBTQ+ trauma survivors. These groups provide powerful opportunities to connect with others who share similar experiences without having to explain or defend your identity.
Groups may focus on themes like:
Navigating eating disorder recovery as a trans person
Processing discrimination and minority stress
Supporting transitioning partners
Healing from family rejection
The witnessing and validation from peers who truly understand can accelerate healing in profound ways.
Supporting Your Loved Ones
If you're supporting a transitioning partner or have a teen exploring gender identity, I offer specialized guidance for these unique situations. We'll explore maintaining your emotional wellbeing while being supportive, navigating changing dynamics, and processing your own emotional responses within a trauma-informed framework.
You deserve more than just survival.
Let's build the confidence you need to live life to the fullest.
Questions?
FAQs
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In therapy, we take it slow to build trust and rapport in our relationship.
Sessions will intially focus on ways to help you cope with feelings and sooth your nervous system. This is to ensure you have the skills to navigate the deeper work.
For some folks, therapy is about finding ways to talk about it. This can help you find meaning in your experience and begin to visualize a new narrative for your future.
You might be looking for ways to heal trauma without having to retell the story. If you’re looking for an alternative approach, art therapy might be a great option. Learn more here.
I use an IFS-informed approach by helping you see your thoughts, feelings, and memories as parts. The goal is to heal the emotional wounds of your past and help you reconnect with your core self.
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Therapy tends to be longer term but it all depends on your needs. I recommend trying to meet on a weekly basis for it to be the most benefical.
I frequently check in on how therapy is going, which helps us stay focused on what your top priorities are in sessions.
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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It can be a big leap to make that first appointment! There are no guarantees, but here are some things to look for.
You’ve been in therapy before and are looking to do deeper work.
You want an approach to therapy that is more relational.
You’re interested in a different approach than talk therapy.
You’re open to longer term therapy.
You feel stuck in old patterns that you’re hoping to change.
You’re not sure if you have trauma but nothing has seemed to work and you can’t feel better.
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You can schedule a consultation by booking online. I’ll reply to your email within 1-2 business days (not on weekends). From there, we’ll pick a day and time that works for both of us.
After the phone call, if 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.
Why Choose My Trauma-Focused Therapy Practice
As a queer therapist trained in both eating disorder recovery and gender-affirming care, I understand how deeply identity, body, and trauma can intertwine. Together, we’ll use creative, body-based approaches like art therapy and parts work to help you break long-held patterns, not just manage symptoms. My goal is to help you reconnect with the parts of yourself that deserve care, compassion, and healing.
You’ve done enough explaining, justifying, and teaching. It’s time for therapy that actually gets you. I know how the weight of rejection, discrimination, and constant vigilance can take a toll — that’s trauma, not overreaction. You deserve care that sees your truth and honors your lived experience. This is where you get to lay that burden down and finally focus on you.
Begin Your Healing Journey
Let’s be honest—starting trauma therapy isn’t easy. If you’ve felt judged or dismissed in therapy before, you deserve a space that actually gets you. My approach centers radical acceptance and a real understanding of queer and trans experiences.
If you’ve carried the weight of rejection, dysphoria, or trauma, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to keep carrying it by yourself. This is a space where you can bring all of who you are. Together, we’ll help you process what’s been hard, learn new ways to care for yourself, and rebuild a sense of peace and trust in your own life.
Your story matters. Your healing matters. You don't have to navigate trauma recovery alone.
Schedule your free 20-minute consultation through my website to explore how trauma-informed therapy can support your journey toward healing and authentic self-expression in Philadelphia.
