LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy

Therapy that doesn't make you explain yourself first.

Affirming, evidence-based therapy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and questioning individuals and their families. Our DBT program is adapted for the unique stress of navigating a world that isn't always affirming, and our team includes clinicians with lived experience.

In-Person
Glen Rock, NJ
Telehealth
NJ, NY, CT & PSYPACT states
If you've ever wondered…
Will this therapist misgender me?
Will I have to spend the first three sessions explaining my identity?
I need support through transition, but I can't find the right fit.
You're not alone. Our team is built to make you feel known from the first session.

Evidence-based skills, adapted for the world you actually live in.

Homophobia, heterosexism, and cissexism create real, ongoing stress — what the research calls "minority stress." Standard DBT helps with emotional dysregulation, but it doesn't always speak to the chronic experience of navigating a world that's often unwelcoming.

We adapt DBT specifically for LGBTQIA+ clients — applying its core skills to the lived realities of identity-based stress, family conflict, workplace navigation, and the daily decisions about when and where to come out.

1
Emotional regulation For the intensity of identity-based stress, family conflict, and chronic micro-aggressions.
2
Distress tolerance Practical tools for getting through hard moments without making them worse.
3
Interpersonal effectiveness For the conversations that matter — coming out, setting limits, asking for what you need.
4
Self-validation Building self-trust in a world that often invalidates your experience.

What affirming care actually means to us.

Affirming care is more than the absence of harm. These are the practices our team holds itself to.

01

Ongoing self-reflection

Our team consults regularly on cases, examines our own histories and biases, and seeks continuing education from teachers with lived experience.

02

Affirming infrastructure

Inclusive paperwork, affirming language as standard practice, no heteronormative or cisnormative assumptions. Your name and pronouns are honored from intake forward.

03

Public affirmation

We are openly committed to affirming care for all clients, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. This isn't a side specialty — it's part of who we are.

04

Active allyship

With heterosexual and cisgender clients, we work to challenge heteronormativity and the gender binary — affirming care isn't only for LGBTQIA+ clients.

05

Lived experience on staff

We actively recruit clinicians with lived experience. If you'd prefer working with someone who shares parts of your identity, let us know — we'll match you thoughtfully.

06

Social justice grounding

We see affirming therapy as part of broader social change — not separate from it. We believe in living an affirming life, not just practicing affirming therapy.

Specialized Sub-Program

Looking for trans-specific care?

Our gender-affirming therapy program offers two clinicians with completed two-year supervised training, transition letters, and a free monthly support group for parents of trans kids.

The clinicians who hold this work.

Three featured clinicians on our team specialize in affirming care. Click any name for their full bio.

Laura Richardson, Ph.D.
Clinical Director

DBT-LBC certified. Specialized training in gender-affirming care, EMDR-trained, parent of a trans woman.

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Melissa Green-Jackson, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor

EMDR, Sensorimotor, DBT, OCD, and gender-affirming specialization. Two-year supervised training in trans care.

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Kathryn Felicetta, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Eating disorders and substance use specialty. Brings lived LGBTQIA+ experience to her clinical work.

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Ready to start? We make it easy.

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation. We'll talk through what you're working on and figure out together whether we're the right fit.