LGBTQIA+ Therapy
in Portland, OR
Are You An LGBTQIA+ Person Seeking Mental Health Support in Portland?
As a queer individual, do you find it hard to navigate a heteronormative world? Are you dealing with social rejection, discrimination, and feelings of isolation? Do you want to explore questions about gender and sexuality on a deeper level?
Maybe you're thinking of coming out to your friends and family and you're worried about how it will affect your relationships. Or perhaps you're suffering from gender dysphoria and you want help determining your sexuality and gender.
You might be having trouble accessing gender-affirming care or struggling to find a supportive community of like-minded queer people. Or maybe you're considering therapy because, despite Portland's extensive LGBTQ+ resources and social scene, you still feel isolated and disconnected.
You Might Be Struggling To Find An Experienced LGBTQIA+-Affirming Provider
Perhaps you've already navigated the processes of coming out, transitioning, or exploring your identity, but you simply want deeper mental health support. Maybe you're suffering from anxiety, depression, or another mood disorder that's negatively impacting your quality of life. Finding experienced LGBTQ+-affirming providers in Portland's growing metro area can be challenging, even with our city's reputation for inclusivity.
If this is the case, I am confident that I can help. As a Board-Certified psychiatrist and psychotherapist, I'm capable of providing both medication management and insight-oriented psychotherapy for LGBTQIA+ people.
My extensive experience as Director of Mental Health at Manhattan's largest HIV Center gave me deep expertise working with LGBTQ+ patients and connecting them to vital community resources—experience I bring to my Portland practice today.
If You're An LGBTQIA+ Person Struggling With Your Mental Health, You're Not Alone
There are millions of people just like you. The Trevor Project conducted a comprehensive 2024 national survey of over 18,000 LGBTQIA+ young people. Their findings were stark: 66 percent of queer individuals reported symptoms of anxiety and 53 percent reported symptoms of depression.
Research specific to Oregon shows even higher challenges. Over 70% of LGBTQ+ youth in our state report experiencing discrimination. Additionally, 90% say recent politics have harmed their well-being.
Nationally, thirty-nine percent admitted to struggling with suicidal ideation. Ninety percent said that recent political rulings had negatively impacted their mental health. Overall, queer patients report a higher rate of psychiatric problems than their non-queer counterparts.
Portland has long been recognized as a safe haven for LGBTQ+ individuals, with Oregon ranking among the most LGBTQ+-friendly states nationally. Even so, mental health challenges persist within our community. Despite Portland’s substantial support network, including Q Center and resources in the Alberta Arts District, many still struggle with isolation and discrimination.
Simply put, you are not alone if you're a queer or trans person having mental health troubles. Times are hard. Even though there have been LGBTQIA+ people in every culture throughout history—and there will continue to be, as gender and sexuality are a spectrum—our society is full of discrimination, rejection, and outright hostility. As a result, it isn't surprising that LGBTQIA+ people disproportionately suffer from homelessness, substance abuse, and many other challenges (2).
What's more, it is becoming increasingly difficult for LGBTQIA+ people to access gender-affirming care, which is why the need for specialized LGBTQIA+ therapy has never been greater.Here in Portland, practicing from my convenient Nob Hill location, I'm proud to provide care for a high percentage of people in the LGBTQ+ community.
Therapy Is A Chance For LGBTQIA+ People To Create A Future Full Of Hope
My medical training from prestigious institutions combined with my specialized fellowship training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy gives me unique experience providing therapy to gay, lesbian, transgender, and nonbinary people. My work as medical director of a comprehensive HIV Center involved running holistic clinics, managing multidisciplinary mental health teams, and conducting epidemiological research presented at international AIDS conferences.
This specialized experience working with LGBTQIA+ people in both medical and therapeutic settings directly informs my practice today. I provide a supportive and affirming space for people of all sexualities and identities to embrace who they are, explore their uniqueness, and work on bettering their mental health through a combination of psychiatric and therapeutic care.
Supporting Portland's Diverse LGBTQ+ Community
Portland is home to Q Center, the largest LGBTQ+ center in the Pacific Northwest. The city also offers numerous specialized resources like SMYRC and Outside In that provide LGBTQ-affirming care. My practice works collaboratively with these local organizations to ensure comprehensive care for our LGBTQ+ patients throughout the greater Portland metro area.
What To Expect In LGBTQIA+ Counseling Sessions
In the beginning, I'll perform an in-depth medical, social, and psychiatric evaluation so that I can understand your unique needs and formulate a treatment plan for individualizing your care.
I will also help you normalize your challenges and understand that there is nothing wrong with you—everything you're feeling is a normal aspect of sexuality, and you deserve acceptance, validation, and compassion. As we continue our work together, we will focus on many different avenues of treatment, including:
Medication management—Although medication is not a mandatory part of treatment, it can be incredibly helpful in alleviating pain and psychiatric symptoms like depression, anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD.
Affirmative counseling services—I will use an LGBTQIA+-friendly approach to help you cultivate self-acceptance, get to the bottom of your mental health issues, and work through challenges like coming out or transitioning.
Community resources—If desired, I can connect you with various support groups and help you access medical resources for gender-affirming care. Portland's exceptional LGBTQ+ support network enables comprehensive care coordination with local organizations. After all, community support is essential to healing and growth—and that starts with me and extends out into the broader community.
In the end, I encourage you to remember that there are many knowledgeable professionals here to help. There are many resources you can use to address your individual needs, and many treatments that can relieve a long history of isolation and psychic pain. Between my support and your commitment, I believe that you can progress toward your goals and embrace a future filled with hope.
You May Have Some Questions About LGBTQIA+-Affirming Therapy…
Will you really be able to help me?
I have decades of experience caring for people who are gender-nonconforming, and I understand the psychological, societal, and political challenges they face. I have been at the cutting edge of addressing these challenges for most of my career and I am here to support their journey to a more complete and fulfilling life.
My comprehensive background includes Board Certification in psychiatry, dual residencies in anesthesiology/critical care and psychiatry/neurology, plus fellowship training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
This medical and therapeutic training, combined with my leadership experience at an HIV center specializing in LGBTQ+ care, enables me to provide the highest standard of affirming treatment.
Is your approach to LGBTQ+ counseling affirming?
Yes, I am unconditionally affirming in my work with LGBTQIA+ patients. I recognize that in today's political climate, the safety and acceptance of LGBTQIA+ individuals is at risk. Even in Portland's supportive environment, there are still real challenges around healthcare access and discrimination. I am here not only to affirm and accept you, but also to connect you with local resources so that you can extend your circle of support outward.
Do we have to talk about LGBTQIA+ issues the whole time?
I am here for you and your needs, whether they involve coming out, transitioning, or other mental health challenges unrelated to identifying as LGBTQIA+. Many of my LGBTQIA+ patients have already navigated the coming out process or worked through questions of sexuality and gender identity, so it's normal for therapy to focus on other challenges.
You Deserve To Be Seen, Heard, And Accepted For Who You Are
Whether you're a professional, student, or part of Portland's creative community, if you want to work with an LGBTQIA+-affirming psychiatrist and counselor in Portland, I encourage you to connect with me and get started on the path toward healing and wellness. To begin your journey, you can fill out the contact form or call 646-593-2134.
Serving patients in Portland, Oregon, from our Nob Hill location, as well as New York through both virtual and in-person sessions.
Are You Ready To Schedule A Session Or Still Have A Question?
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LGBTQIA+ Therapy
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2250 NW Flanders St #310
Portland, OR 97210
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