Support for Parents of LGBTQIA+ Youth
For many parents and loved ones, learning of a child’s hidden gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender identity can be a major surprise. Many parents may have many questions after a child comes out. Whether you’re trying to protect your child, needing as safe space to ask uncomfortable questions, or trying to help a loved one create their happiest life, we are here to help.
As a practice that specializes in sexuality, gender, and relationships we are fully prepared to assist you—or you and your family—make decisions that are wise, safe, and those that will leave your family closer than ever.
We’re here to help
A suprise coming out can leave parents wondering what’s best, how to respond, and what is healthiest for their children and families. We know how to help.
Protective
Knowing that a coming out can have life-long effects, many parents have deep concerns. As a result, they want to be part of their children’s decision-making process.
Our main goal is to help parents learn about their children’s experiences, attune to their children’s internal reality, and become familiar with medical research so they are empowered to love their children well and keep them safe.
Finding Connection
We understand that family conversation can be very challenging, especially when opinions don’t align and beliefs differ.
We are trained to help families communicate through their challenges. Whether it be learning about your child’s sexual orientation or their gender identity, ensuring their safety without causing conflict, or using unfamiliar language, we will help your family communicate effectively and find peace.
LGBTQIA+ Parent Counseling FAQs
Psychological research has proven, time and time again, that the most powerful component of talk therapy is the relationship that a client has with their therapist. In this light, iAmClinic was started by a queer child who couldn’t find a professional who understood his story, his experiences, and his pain. Therapy with our team of queer or trans therapists can be monumental for your child because we are not only well-trained, professionally competent, but we also have personal experiences that allow your child to be safe, vulnerable, and inspired to be healthy and whole.
Thankfully, there are numerous evidenced-based modalities that a therapist can use successfully with queer or trans youth. Some of the more common are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) because it helps teens assess their thought patterns, challenges their traditional ways of decision-making, and helps them develop a mature way of navigating challenges and choices. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a great modality in that it helps adolescents work through big or small traumas, diminish anxiety or depression, and reprocess negative emotions into resilience. Neurofeedback is a powerful tool that helps treat anxiety, depression, ADHD, learning disorders, and behavioral challenges with the use of EEG (electroencephalogram) readings of the brain’s activity. At iAmClinic we are sure to use safe and trusted modalities to help your teen heal and grow.
Dating and creating long-lasting, healthy relationships might just be two of the hardest things we will ever do. Navigating them requires a lot of awareness, and for many of us in the LGBTQIA+ community, the healing from developmental trauma. Knowing your attachment style and how to manage it will also give you a lot of control in relationships. To learn more, scroll through our blog or reach out to us for a free consultation.
Absolutely. We are bound by state laws and professional ethics to ensure your child’s confidentiality, no matter the subject matter. Of course, as professional counselors, we are obligated to disclose if the child is at risk of harm, but other than that, your child’s identity and experiences are safe with us. Confidentiality is part of the magic sauce that makes therapy and the therapeutic relationship so powerful.
As the parent of an LGBTQIA+ child, you have a role no other person can replicate. Being a safe and trustworthy, secure base for your child will give them permission to be open and honest with you, allowing them to find refuge in your safety more than the wonky “safety” of an untrustworthy friend. Taking the time to learn about your child’s experiences and empathizing with their/her/or his inner truth—as opposed to being their rational coach—will give your child a sense of being known, cherished, and…safe. To learn more, please pursue your blog or set up a free consultation.
We are thrilled to see such a massive upsurge in resources for straight, cisgender parents of LGBTQIA+ children. We recommend pursuing through our blog for insightful, quick reads that will empower you to parent with ease and confidence. We also offer workshops for parents and we collaborated with Jennifer Hatmaker on creating an e-course for parents just like you. Other fantastic resources include The Family Acceptance Project, PFLAG, and Momma Bear Hugs.
We want to make sure that therapy is accessible so we have built a team of therapists and interns that offer a wide range of fees, giving you more options. To learn more, Nicole, our Intake Specialist, will show you a range of fees and help you find one that fits your budget.
At iAmClinic we are a team of queer, trans, and allied therapists. We believe it is important that you work with someone who has not only walked in your shoes, but has also experienced the changes you seek. You have found a good queer or trans therapist when they can speak from life experience in addition to their academic training. You should look for a therapist who does not need you to teach them about your queer or trans experience, but one who knows because they share that experience with you.
We often say that it is our job to work ourselves out of a job. In that light, therapy sessions are collaborations between you and your therapist. We first want to earn your trust by being safe, well-trained, and capable. As the therapeutic process takes shape, it becomes a working relationship, much like teamwork. We often provide psychological education on certain behavioral patterns or relational dynamics and provide safe feedback that will help you grow in a safe environment. We also take great pride in showing up authentically, so you’ll get to know your therapist as much as we get to know you. We affirm what research tells us time and time again: It is the therapeutic relationship that is most important. As a result, therapy sessions are more of a safe place to be challenged, to be heard, and to be allowed to be honest with how you show up in the world.
The length of therapy deepens on what you would like to address and how deep you want to go. Many people like to address a specific issue, while others want to reach a new level of wholeness. Although a specific number of sessions cannot be determined, you can work closely with your therapist to get the most out of every minute you are with us.
We have a wide range of experienced therapists who offer a variety of price points. Depending on what you would like to address and how deep you’d like to go, therapy will range in price. If you’d like to set a free consultation with a therapist, they will help give you an anticipated range of the cost.
Yes. Therapy, especially therapy with queer, trans, or allied therapists, can be helpful in giving you tools to cope with, desensitizing reactions, and finding confidence to deal with discrimination and stigma. We often act as advocates when it is appropriate and help you find resources that offer support and assistance. In terms of therapy, we can use modalities like EMDR or Breathwork to help you gain the skills and insights to help you stand firm in a heterosexist, cisgendered world.
Yes we do! Reach out to get started today
There is no out-of-pocket costs.
There is no cap or requirement under Medicaid.
You will need to provide your Medicaid number so benefits can be verified
We will need to verify your coverage and an that you are in our RAE
Yes you can. While we do spend time in our initial consult to fit you to your perfect therapist, you can absolutely switch at any time.
Ready to transform your relationship?
Recent Resources
Certifications & Credentials
