Therapy for the LGBTQ+ Community
Being part of the LGBTQIA+ community can be a huge source of joy, liberation, and pride. But living authentically in a world that’s not built for us can feel overwhelming — even impossible — at times.
We believe everyone deserves a healing space where they can feel safe and connected. Our team of LGBTQIA+ and allied therapists can help you process everything from trauma and family relationships to anxiety.
The queer community faces disproportionate rates of mental health issues — and that makes sense given the challenges we’re facing on an everyday basis. Discrimination, family rejection, and the erosion of our rights are very real, stressful threats.
We hear too often from our LGBTQIA+ clients that past therapy experiences have made them feel like their problems — and full selves — are invisible.
But supportive therapy for LGBTQIA+ folks does exist.
At Stella Nova, our therapists strive to hear you, see all of you, and truly understand you.
All of our therapists are allies to queer communities, and a majority also have lived experiences as part of those communities. Many of us also live at the intersections of multiple marginalized identities, such as race and ethnicity, religion, and disability.
Our queer experience doesn’t mean we fully understand yours. Identity can be beautifully complex.
What our background does mean is that we work to see all of you. We won’t ask you to educate us on the fundamentals of the LGBTQ+ experience and can ask deeper questions that move you forward.
We’re not here to fix you. Our role is guiding you through the issues you’d like to tackle from the perspective that you are already enough (and yet, never too much!).
Common LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Concerns
Issues that our LGBTQ clients frequently bring into therapy include:
- Exploring gender expression, identity, and dysphoria
- Sex and sexuality
- How to navigate culture and gender
- Anxiety and depression
- Self-acceptance
- Experiences of violence, sexual assault, and abuse
- Navigating family and romantic relationships
- Dealing with and processing microaggressions
Our therapists take into account how trauma and oppression can impact mental health. But we also know that not everything is about identity. We’re here to understand you and your priorities, not push an agenda or fit you into a box.
Get Started With an LGBTQ-Affirming Therapist Today
We know therapy is an investment and seeing yet another wrong-fit therapist can be discouraging. So that we set you up with your ideal therapist the first time, we ask new clients to schedule a free, 20-minute phone consultation with an Intake Specialist.
She’ll ask you a bit about why you’re seeking therapy and what you’re looking for in a therapist. Do you prefer someone who’s LGBTQIA+ or shares your cultural background? Or someone with a great sense of humor or a direct communication style?
Whatever your priorities, we’ll match you with the best therapist for you.
Meet Dr. Justine Fan, LGBTQ+ Therapy Specialist
As a queer person of color and feminist therapist, I offer an affirming space to seek liberation from all forms of oppression.
I specialize in working with people who are exploring intersections of their identities, especially around gender, sexuality, and culture. My clients gain more control of their life stories, leading to greater freedom.
If you’re interested in working with me, I invite you to set up a free call. No obligations, just a chance to learn more and see if we’re a good fit.
Therapy for LGBTQIA+ Issues Online Throughout California
LGBTQ+ people don’t just come to therapy to talk about sexuality and gender, and Stella Nova offers a broad range of mental health services. We serve women and people of all genders seeking an inclusive, feminist space to heal.
Our therapists treat a variety of common mental health concerns from anxiety and depression, trauma, and chronic pain. We also offer couples therapy for people seeking relationship support. The majority of our clients (and therapists!) identify as LGBTQIA+ and/or Women of Color, and we welcome people of all backgrounds.
Currently, we offer online therapy for clients throughout New York and California, with services available in English and Mandarin.
Stella Nova strives to create an informed and affirming space that supports the diverse needs of the LGBTQIA+ community through:
- Hiring, training, and promoting therapists of LGBTQ+ and other marginalized identities on our staff. Representation matters.
- Ongoing training to empower all our therapists to deliver high-quality, culturally appropriate care.
- Dialogue with our clients and our communities to help us improve continually.
- Destigmatizing therapy and breaking the mental health taboo prevalent in marginalized communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work with an LGBTQIA+ therapist at Stella Nova?
Of course! We are a queer woman of color owned practice, and the majority of our therapists identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Our allied therapists are vetted for their ability to provide competent, affirming care. If being matched with a queer or trans therapist is important to you, let us know during your free phone consultation so we can match you with someone who is a great fit.
What services do you offer for the LGBTQIA+ community?
We offer online therapy for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, burnout, chronic health issues and more. Many of our clients are seeking support with identity exploration, and may be navigating intersections of multiple identities. We also offer LGBTQIA+ affirming couples therapy for people of all genders and orientations.
What mental health issues do LGBTQIA+ people face?
The LGBTQIA+ community faces significantly elevated risks of depression and anxiety, substance abuse, trauma related disorders, and suicide.
Research is clear—this is not because queer or trans identities are pathological. It’s a consequence of marginalization. We’re under a tremendous amount of stress in the current political climate, with our safety, dignity, and access to the basic necessities of life under attack. When LGBTQIA+ people have strong support systems, accepting communities, access to affirming healthcare, and protection of our equal rights, we thrive. Therapy can be one piece of that puzzle, but it’s not enough on its own!
How much does therapy cost?
Therapy at Stella Nova starts at $160+ per individual therapy, and $192+ for couples sessions. Your rate will depend on the therapist you work with, their education and experience. Stella Nova is a private clinic and is not in-network with insurance, however, we are happy to provide you with a superbill to claim out-of-network benefits via your insurance. You can learn more about that process here.