LGBTQIA+
Affirmative Therapy
Santa Monica, West LA, California & Online
Become Who You Are
LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy addresses the unique challenges faced by individuals who identify as LGBT, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or Questioning or Relationship Non-Conforming (Ethical Non-Monogamy).
You may already have encountered these common LGBTQIA+ challenges in therapy:
Therapists who do not fully grasp the experience of growing up LGBTQIA+ and who lack familiarity with LGBTQ communities, culture & language.
Therapeutic approaches that implicitly assume universal goals, values, beliefs & relationship structures.
Sessions that come across as judgmental or othering, treating LGBTQIA+ identities as exotic or to be tolerated rather than genuinely affirmed.
Assumptions that every aspect of your life revolves around your LGBTQIA+ identity, or that all LGBTQ people have similar experiences.
Pronouns and preferred names that keep getting dropped by accident without apology or repair.
Finding yourself holding back important aspects of your experience & recreating childhood patterns.
For LGBTQIA+ folks, it can be tough to find a therapist who really "gets" it. And for LGBTQIA+ couples, it can be even harder.
I offer a safe and supportive LGBTQIA+ affirmative space where clients can speak openly and honestly without fear of judgment. My approach is attuned to the specific difficulties in coming out (or not), not being accepted by family and/or community, grappling with questions of identity, and confronting homophobia and transphobia. We commonly address low self-esteem, relationship issues, social isolation, anxiety, depression, body and gender dysmorphia, and issues around other intersectional identities.
By focusing on the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals, affirmative therapy aims to build a stronger foundation for mental and emotional well-being. I recognize and validate LGBTQIA+ experiences & providing tailored support that acknowledges the complexity of your journey. This helps you feel more understood, accepted, valued, and connected to the world around you.
“It is a joy to be hidden, and a disaster not to be found.”
- D.W. Winnicott
Common LGBTQIA+ Related Symptoms
Anxiety related to fear of discrimination, rejection, or stigma.
Depression related to social isolation, family rejection, and internalized homophobia or transphobia.
Low self-esteem particularly in non-affirming environments.
Body & gender dysmorphia due to internalized bias & social messaging.
Substance abuse as a coping mechanism for dealing with stress and discrimination.
Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors often due to feelings of hopelessness and lack of support.
Chronic Stress related to the ongoing need to navigate hostile environments.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from trauma, including hate crimes, bullying, and family rejection, that can lead to PTSD.
Eating Disorders particularly among transgender individuals, due to body image issues and dysphoria.
Internalized Stigma from conditioned negative beliefs.
Relationship Issues around forming and maintaining healthy relationships impacted by external pressures & discrimination.
My Treatment Approach
In addition to validating and supporting your true identity, I show you practices that support nervous system to achieve self-regulation. These practices allow blocked energy and emotional pain to move through your body, bringing you back to a restful and alert state. Once we reconnect the nervous system, you start to feel and value your self, and energy and motivation come online.
I help you to unburden the original traumas that live on in nervous system patterns. To do this, we need to meet and befriend the protective parts that are shielding or blocking your core energy, including internalized homophobia. With more understanding and acceptance, these parts can start to work together as a team and give you more access to your life force.
I also support you in developing exercise, sleep & nutrition habits that support your positive energy and help create a virtuous cycle of improvement in all areas.
Lastly, I help you build a personalized tool-kit for managing your mental health concerns in case they ever show up again, so that you never have to worry about it ahead of time.
What Clients are Saying
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Kyle, Actor, Bay Area
“Steven is amazing, it’s been really easy for me to talk out my thoughts and have assistance whenever I’ve been in a rough patch or whenever I’ve just been unsure of what to do or what steps to take with a situation. Steven is very fun to talk to and very funny!”
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Osiris, Yoga Therapist & Rapper, Los Angeles
“Thanks to Steven's skills and compassionate approach, I feel like I've made real progress in my healing journey. I'm so grateful to have found someone like him, and I highly recommend him to anyone who is struggling with stress, anxiety, or other nervous system issues. Thank you, Steven, for all that you do!”
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Declan, Software Engineer, London
“I've made actual progress rather than being stuck. Steven is also the only therapist I've had who's been able to talk about literature and art and all of the beautiful things that make up this world in a way that feels genuine. Our work has been very iterative and incremental. I got something in every session.”
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Kirby, Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Vancouver
“Steven is doing such significant and special work in the world that it is difficult to tame into words. He has the rare ability to walk with you down the darker trails of your psyche with warmth. He holds safe and generous space. Thank you, thank you, thank you Steven.”
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Devon, Jewelry Designer, San Francisco
“Steven is very open and very kind. He's really perceptive and good at listening and honoring where a person is at or what they're feeling and what they might need in that moment. He makes people feel comfortable and safe and fosters a space that felt open and comfortable.”
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Faisal, Incoming MD Candidate, DC
“Steven was instrumental to my growth and coming of age in college, and he has continued to follow-up with me ever since. This is not a business for Steven. This is his life's calling, and you can feel it. Our sessions have been transformative and lasting.“
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Jorge, Psychology Student, Los Angeles
“I met Steven on a whim at one of the lowest points of my life and have since reached heights of peace, stability and self-advocacy I didn't think possible. Through Beyond, I’ve changed in resounding and permanent ways. I'm ever grateful and can't recommend the care I've received enough.”
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Kris, Documentary Filmmaker, Los Angeles
“I’m a huge fan of Steven and the team at Beyond Psychology! I had a super illuminating and impactful experience. It helped unlock some personal insights and healing that had otherwise been hard to access. I would definitely recommend working with them, and personally hope to do so again in the future!”
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Kuljit, Leadership Coach, DC
“I’ll be bold and say the modalities don’t matter as much as Steven’s presence. His calm and connected presence facilitated my awareness and processing. It amplified my sense of safety and served as a mirror to reflect to me what was emerging within me. This allowed me to be more embodied in my experiences, which was the next step in my healing journey.”
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Paula, Ocean Scientist, Honolulu
“Thanks to Steven's skills and compassionate approach, I feel like I've made real progress in my healing journey. I'm so grateful to have found someone like him, and I highly recommend him to anyone who is struggling with stress, anxiety, or other nervous system issues. Thank you, Steven, for all that you do!”
Embark On Your Healing Journey
Contact me today. I am LGBTQIA+ affirming and the majority of my caseload are LGBTQIA+ identified. I offer in-person therapy in Los Angeles and virtual coaching around the world.
I would be happy to answer your questions and support you as you move toward a more vibrant and expressive life.