Is she an ally?
As I’ve mentioned before, the foundation of my approach with clients is Person-Centered, and this is no different for my LGBTQIA+ clients. Affirmation is at the center of my work. I follow my clients’ leads on how they describe themselves and the language they use. Words carry weight and they also carry history, so I listen carefully. Whether it’s terms reclaimed or a perspective that’s entirely personal, my role is to understand and integrate it into our work together.
Creating safety is built into every part of my practice. My forms are inclusive and my language is intentional. I explore specific client concerns and identify topics that need extra consideration on my part. From the beginning, my clients know that they set the pace for disclosure and there is never pressure to share uncomfortable details. What my client’s experience in my office is an authentic reflection of who I am beyond it. My values guide both my work and how I live in our community.
I hold awareness of the realities my clients navigate outside the therapy room. Many queer people live with the chronic hum of minority stress, the extra layer of tension and vigilance that comes from moving through a world that feels increasingly unsafe. I understand this compounds with race, class, disability, and faith, creating unique challenges that deserve to be identified and understood.
Advocacy is part of being a therapist. That might mean helping a client navigate a discriminatory workplace policy, sharing affirming community resources, or exercising my right to protest. Sometimes advocacy is relational and sometimes it is bold and systemic, but it is always present. This work is alive and I am committed to my own ongoing growth. I seek out training, stay current with research, and pursue reading that challenges my blind spots because I believe my clients deserve a therapist who continues to learn and look inward.
If you want to learn more about my work with the LGBTQIA+ community, reach out to me here. Denver Therapy Collective’s office is located in Denver, Colorado and we have weekend and evening appointments available.
