Holistic, AFFIRMING THERAPY · CALIFORNIA
LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy & Religious Trauma Support
Relational, affirming care for adults navigating queer identity, religious trauma, or both, is offered virtually across California.
SEEN, NOT JUST ACCEPTED
LGBTQIA+ AFFIRMING THERAPY
I am proud to offer queer + trans/gender-nonconforming affirming therapy virtually across California. It is my belief that therapy can be the most impactful when it is relational (human-to-human) and anchored in the shared language and norms of our culture. As a queer, feminist therapist, I offer warm, compassionate, and relational therapy that honors the language you possess for your identities, the values and beliefs you align with, and the relationship structures (hi, ENM/Poly fam!) and spaces you hold dear.
Many LGBTQIA+ adults come to therapy carrying immense hurt from being marginalized across various time spans and spaces in their lives. Common themes one might explore in therapy, in addition to exploration and processing of various queer identities, include: relational conflict, trauma, and grief, finding and building found family or community, building meaningful support systems and strategies, and strengthening communication for navigating imperfect and oppressive systems, just to name a few.
At Amethyst Holistic Counseling, your unique queerness is not only seen but also celebrated. I would be honored to walk alongside you as you endeavor toward growth and to build a life that is most authentic and meaningful to you.
BUILDING A CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY
What Support Can Look Like
Processing identity-related themes across the queer alphabet, to include trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming adults.
Exploring relational patterns and building empowered communication and boundary-setting.
Processing of relational trauma or systemic trauma without the goal of a toxically positive reframe.
Developing a clearer understanding of individual and relational needs and taking steps towards building a supportive community.
A MIXED BAG, HELD WITH CARE
Religious Trauma Therapy in California
Religious trauma can be a uniquely nuanced and layered experience. Sometimes I use the term "mixed bag" to describe experiences that can be layered with positives (e.g., community, connection, routine) while also recognizing pieces that were hurtful and harmful (rigid beliefs about various identities, gender roles, and shameful narratives about sexuality, just to name a few). Sometimes folks understandably have a difficult time untangling the various layers of their experiences in religious communities. At Amethyst, I (Lea) am eager to provide a thoughtful and caring space where you can process and sort out your feelings, thoughts, and the meaning you'd like to take away from your experiences.
While not a religious or faith-based therapist, I truly enjoy empowering individuals to explore the aspects of their religion or faith that are helpful and supportive, while releasing those that are not. For some, the pull towards deconstruction may feel more holistic. If it is important to you to really explore the way religion and faith have shaped your values and beliefs, sometimes in ways you may not realize, that is okay too. Sometimes folks feel safest by stepping entirely away from faith and religion, and I trust your intuition and expertise drawn from your own lived experience.
Grief may be a part of this work if you begin to feel less in common with previous members of your support system or inner circle. As queer people, we are often familiar with grief and loss that is sometimes associated with who we are; it can be immensely painful. Wherever you are in your journey, know that I am eager to meet you where you are.
Not every session will end with rainbows and butterflies, but I do hope that each time we meet you'll find that you are beginning to move closer to integrating the values and shifts in meaning that feel significant for you, and taking steps towards building a life and support system that nourishes who you are authentically.
SUPPORT IN CALIFORNIA
Common Reasons People Seek Support
To process hurt and confusion from experiences in faith-based communities.
Explore identity, values, and beliefs that support your most authentic life.
Explore what deconstruction means for you, and gain a deeper understanding of your values and the support systems you'd like to have.
Process grief related to changes or loss in important relationships, including family of origin.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy
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Yes! I offer virtual queer-affirming therapy throughout the state of California.
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Queer-affirming therapy means to me that all aspects of your identity and being (even the layers that you're still making meaning of) are viewed as valid, beautiful, and uniquely yours. We should be able to connect through shared language and norms that exist within our communities without you having to educate me over-extensively. Our exchanges should feel collaborative, and your autonomy is sacred here.
Religious trauma
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That's a common and completely valid place to start. Many folks come in describing their experience as a "mixed bag," holding both meaningful connection and real harm at the same time. You don't need a clear label before we begin; we can sort through what fits together.
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Not at all. Some folks want to explore what parts of their faith to keep and what to release. Others feel safest stepping away entirely. Wherever you land, I trust your intuition and expertise grounded in your lived experience.
ENDORSEMENTS
Endorsements
"Lea is so warm and caring, she's incredibly easy to talk to. Her relational approach and unique lived experience as a queer, neurodivergent therapist makes her especially qualified to help folks who want to be seen, heard, and understood."
Corina Bair, LCSW
"Having known Lea for over 10 years, I can firmly and confidently speak to her incredible depth of compassion, empathy and kindness. She truly embodies what it means to be a healer."
Micaela Krusemark, MS, LPC, YTT-500
Amethyst Holistic Counseling of California