Counseling for ACOA, LGBT, and Eating Disorders

Counseling for Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA)

I help you to make sense of the family chaos and the irrational messages you received about yourself – and the world – from growing up with an alcoholic or an addicted or abusing parent. The survival techniques you learned in childhood are often ineffective as an adult.

We want to replace those old techniques with new ones. Doing so will allow you to have healthy relationships, establish a healthy sense of self, and communicate effectively. In the process, I’ll assist you with understanding the impact of family dynamics on your sense of self and to grieve the loss of healthy parenting.

Counseling for LGBT

Whether you’re in the early stages of questioning and discovery, coming out, or planning to transition, as a gay-friendly therapist I provide a safe place for LGBT clients to explore issues of sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

I’ve worked with LGBT clients of all ages, as well as with their families, to help them understand that a broad range of expression exists.  Regardless of age, many LGBT clients experience a kind of “second adolescence”.  This can be both exciting and confusing.  I help you to understand your own developmental processes, to explore matters of risk, and to make informed decisions.

Couples therapy with LGBT clients recognizes the unique concerns of same gender and gender-neutral relationships.  Partners may have differing levels of comfort with being out, difficulty with differentiation in the couple’s relationship, and differences in acceptance from their families.

Counseling for Eating Disorders

If you’ve developed an unhealthy relationship with food, body image, and/or exercise, I can help you make your way through the maze to find balance and self-acceptance.   We will explore the complex feelings and thoughts that fuel compulsive behaviors and interfere with your ability to embrace your uniqueness and your life.   Together, we can heal feelings of shame with compassion and appreciation, shifting the focus from how you appear to who you are.

I look forward to working with you! Get in touch for a no-cost initial phone consultation, here.