“When all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free.”
― Barack Obama
Are you looking for an LGBTQ+ friendly therapist? Have you been misunderstood, mislabeled, or mistreated of your gender or sexuality? Do you want a space to freely express and explore yourself with someone who understands?
You have come to the right place!
In addition to our holistic psychiatric services, Taconic Psychiatry is proud to offer LGBTQ+ affirming individual and couples therapy for people just like you. We work with clients here in Manchester and all across Vermont, and we would love to work with you. Contact us today to get started, and read on to learn more about how therapy can help you.
What is LGBTQ+ affirming therapy?
Therapy is designed to help you feel supported as you work to reach a place of wellness. Although any therapist can offer a safe, confidential space for self-improvement and exploration, not all therapists recognize the unique stressors and challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community:
- Coming to terms with one’s identity
- Mistreatment, marginalization, and abuse
- Dealing with rejection from family and friends
- Coping with stigmatized illnesses (e.g., HIV)
- Body or sex-shaming
- Conformity pressures (e.g., heteronormativity)
- And more
Difficulties like these are a relentless burden carried by the LGBTQ+ community. Even in your day-to-day life, you might face being brushed aside, stigmatized, or otherwise seen as less-than. No wonder so many members of the LGBTQ+ community feel so hurt and overwhelmed.
LGBTQ+ affirming therapy recognizes that life is harder for people with diverse gender and sexual identities, and it prioritizes supporting you on your journey of self-discovery and actualization. Most importantly, this approach is not about “fixing” you or trying to make you into someone you are not. This is about you becoming the best version of yourself and learning to love who you are.
How can therapy help me?
LGBTQ+ affirming therapy provides a safe, judgment-free space for you to express and explore your thoughts and feelings. Psychologists, such as our own Dr. Ben Stillman, can help you feel accepted and understood as you learn to do the same for yourself. This is especially helpful for people who are questioning or looking to understand their own sexuality and or gender identity.
Similarly, therapy offers a chance to feel affirmed and validated. Sometimes fear can keep us from making authentic, self-honoring choices – which means you may not feel safe enough to really connect with yourself. LGBTQ+ affirming therapists can help you develop a sense of security, acceptance, and love with who you are. This is especially important for people who have experienced marginalization, rejection, or disownment by friends or family.
Members of the LGBTQ+ community are at an elevated risk of chronic stress, anxiety, and depression because of the difficulties they face. Therapists can also help you develop essential coping strategies for managing the side effects of living in a society that rejects and misunderstands you. You can learn to use self-compassion to deal with criticism and harshness, exercise mindfulness for stress management, set boundaries with toxicity, and discover strategies for developing balance in life.
Why choose Taconic Psychiatry?
The experts here at Taconic Psychiatry offer a unique combination of clinical expertise and firsthand experience. As a couple, Drs. Stillman and Pruett have a passion for helping others with stories like theirs to reach a place of joy and wellbeing.
You deserve a mental health experience that honors and supports who you are. You deserve to feel supported and welcomed as a person with innate worth. No matter where you are on your journey, no matter what you’ve had to face, we want to be there for you.
Let's connect!
All of our services are entirely confidential and offered both online as well as in person. We work with teens (16+) and adults from all over Vermont: Manchester, Dorset, Bennington, Rutland, Londonderry, Winhall, Arlington, Shaftsbury, West Dover, and beyond. We work collaboratively to help you reach your goals as efficiently and effectively as possible. We strive to help you feel supported, understood, and cared for as you make your wellness journey.
No matter how long you’ve struggled, no matter how hopeless things might seem, we can help.
Our LGBTQ+ affirmative services are specifically tailored to help you:
- Develop a stronger sense of who you are
- Navigate the process of coming out to friends and family
- Build a sense of confidence and security
- Feel supported when facing loneliness and rejection
- Learn better coping strategies
- Discover new aspects of your personality
- Live a life of prosperity and joy