Understanding and Avoiding Ace Microaggressions and Erasure
Understanding Asexuality
Asexuality, often abbreviated as “Ace,” is a sexual orientation characterized by a lack of, varying, or occasional experiences of sexual attraction. Because it exists on a spectrum, asexuality is an umbrella term that includes many identities such as demisexual (experiencing sexual attraction only after forming an emotional connection) and grey-asexual (experiencing sexual [...]
5 Black Feminist Thinkers For Your Reading List
Feminism is a dynamic and expansive movement that goes far beyond the experiences of cis white women. It reaches into the complex and intersecting realities of those most socially and politically marginalized. Black feminist thinkers have long been at the forefront of this work, challenging limited notions of inclusivity and advocating for a decolonized, [...]
Build Community in Group Therapy with LGBTQIA+ Individuals
Group therapy isn’t just sitting in a circle and taking turns talking—it’s about working to build a community where individuals can learn, heal, and grow together. For sexuality-, gender-, and relationship-expansive individuals, this form of therapy can be transformative. It provides a safe space where participants connect with others who truly understand their experiences and [...]
Navigating a Gender Dysphoria Diagnosis with Affirmative Care
Ask Us Anything
Our Ask Us Anything Series is a place where you can ask general questions about clinical work with LGBTQIA+, consensually non-monogamous, and kinky clients without fear of being attacked or judged. This is not a replacement for consultation, which we recommend for complex clinical work. Make sure that any questions you ask [...]
Managing Political Stress and Mental Health
In a 2019 study, nearly 40 percent of Americans reported that politics had a profound negative impact on their mental health. This number seems to have only increased leading up to the 2020 presidential election, among all political affiliations. What’s more, a 2023 study published by the American Psychological Association suggests that [...]
Inclusivity, Intersectionality, and Feminist Therapy
Anyone who tries to define feminism will quickly realize why there is no agreed upon definition that can stand across eras and geographies. Feminism exists as a form of critique, creation, advocacy, identity and much more, all depending on who you ask and when. As Feminist Therapists, we face the essential task of developing an [...]
A Polyamory Retrospective
Are you a polyamory-affirming therapist?
Ethical non-monogamy is a popular topic; especially in the form of loving, committed open relationships like polyamory.
Is it possible to be consensually, respectfully non-monogamous without ruining intimate relationships?
What if a client is exploring opening up an existing relationship, or even a marriage?
And, perhaps the most common question [...]
4 Things to Know about Polyamory Before Talking to Your Clients
Polyamory and Ethical non-monogamy (ENM) are both terms to describe relationships that form outside of traditional monogamous relationship patterns. Many poly individuals experience psychological distress due to any number of factors. Examples can include marginalization, pressures to keep relationships secret, and pathologization in medical contexts. There are many myths about polyamory that it’s important to [...]
Affirmative Therapy & Celebrating Stonewall
Stonewall as a Symbol
The Stonewall Riot was not the result of a single night of activism. June 28, 1969 was the culmination of years of oppression and resistance across the nation. This event was the culmination of years of targeted raids on businesses openly welcoming trans and queer clientele, and queer and trans business [...]
New Year, New You? Affirmative Therapy and New Year’s Resolutions
New Year’s Resolutions are one of the hallmarks of January—gyms are crowded, journals purchased, fresh fruits and veggies prepared, dating apps installed, and long-delayed medical appointments finally scheduled. What does this mean for therapy?
Therapists can be inundated with new appointment requests and lapsed clients re-starting therapy, but they may also be wary of the [...]
Conflicts with Colleagues in Clinics and Group Practice Settings
We’ve written previously about how to handle conflict in therapy—but what about when you are experiencing conflict within your clinic, from a peer or supervisor? Conflicts with colleagues, particularly surrounding identity, can impact an entire community if left unresolved for too long. It can also affect the reputation of your practice, or leave you [...]
Affirmation, Exploration, and Informed Consent
Gender Dysphoria disproportionately affects transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) communities, and can impact mental health in many ways. For many TGNB individuals, affirmative therapists offer a space—perhaps the first space—to pursue therapy that accepts them for who they are. One of the key elements of affirmative therapy is combining affirmation with exploration, but always in the [...]
6 Things For (Cis) Therapists to Know About Gender Euphoria
You’ve probably heard or read about gender dysphoria, but how much do you know about gender euphoria? Chances are good that you’ve talked about it with some of your clients. But if you’re relying on a few anecdotes or basic information, you may be missing out on the big picture. We want to share some [...]
5 Tips for Affirmative Therapists During Autism Acceptance Month
As you may know, April is Autism Acceptance Month. As knowledge of autism continues to grow and change with every year—and there are a greater number of adults who know that they are autistic—we wanted to highlight a few things that can help affirmative therapists work with their autistic clients.
Avoid Using Functioning Labels
[...]3 Trauma-Informed Alternatives to Positive Affirmations
Whether in therapy, in self-help books, or in broader discourse about mental wellness on social media, there is a lot of discussion about positive affirmations. In general, the idea behind positive affirmations is to “train” the brain to look for opportunity and growth rather than perseverating on failure and stagnation. But are positive affirmations for [...]
Managing Conflict in Affirmative Therapy
Relationships between therapists and clients can involve vulnerability. Exploring topics related to identity is delicate work. Both client and therapist may be impacted by their education, knowledge, and preconceptions. Moreover, therapy often requires discomfort. None of this is news but: but managing conflict while centering your client’s experiences takes skill and experience.
Affirmative therapy requires [...]
Supporting Your ADHD Clients (and Colleagues)
October is ADHD Awareness Month—in contemporary media, ADHD is often presented as affecting mostly children, and more specifically mostly young white boys (and we could do a whole separate blog about how cissexism, misogyny, and racism impact the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD).
ADHD continues into adulthood, and studies show that it [...]
LGBTQ Myths vs. Reality: What Organizations Need To Know
Myths and stereotypes are prevalent in our society, but just because they’re prevalent, doesn’t mean they’re right. Though they may seem harmless, myths can be damaging to the people and communities they target. As an organization, it’s crucial to teach your members how to avoid falling prey to common myths because making assumptions can harm [...]
5 Ways To Create a Welcoming Space for LGBTQIA+ Clients
Are you a mental health professional wondering how to make your office an LGBTQIA+ friendly space? Providing an inclusive space where LGBTQIA+ clients feel welcome can help them open up and feel comfortable seeking care. To help you craft an open environment where your clients can freely be themselves, here are five ways to create a welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ clients.
5 Essential Self-Care Tips for Psychotherapists
Being an affirmative psychotherapist is an important and selfless job, but when you’re so caught up in caring for others, it’s easy to overlook your own well-being.
For your sake and the sake of your clients, it’s crucial to take the occasional step back to focus on your own needs. Here are five essential self-care [...]
Misgendering a Client in Therapy
Ask Us Anything: How to navigate moments of rupture and repair in the therapeutic relationship when a therapist missteps re: a client’s gender identity or expression? Important to acknowledge and apologize to the client and strive to do better – other things to keep in mind if/when this happens?
Wonderful question! You are definitely on [...]