LGBT COUPLES THERAPY
Online Couples Therapy for LGBT Couples in California & Florida
Growing, healing, and nurturing your LGBT relationship is an act of pride.
LGBT Couples Therapy To Strengthen Communication, Decrease Conflict, and Deepen Love
Improving Communication and Reducing Conflict Through LGBT Couples Therapy
Couples often seek therapy to enhance communication and decrease conflict. Effective communication fosters closeness, love, and shared visions for the future. We use research-backed techniques to give couples concrete tools to get there.
Love Maps: Deepening Connection and Intimacy
Therapy helps couples develop "love maps," which involve building an intimate knowledge of their partner's inner world and history. This connection promotes conflict reduction and increased intimacy. This is essential for LGBT couples. Nothing feels better than being deeply known by someone who loves you.
Strengthening Bonds for LGBT Couples
Regardless of the stage of your relationship, LGBT couples can benefit from therapy to build a stronger bond and handle the complexities of your journey together.
OUR COUPLES THERAPISTS WHO SPECIALIZE IN LGBT COUPLES THERAPY
Our therapists have specialized training and experience with couples, including training in Gottman Method couples therapy. All our therapists are sex-positive, body-positive, anti-racist, and gender-affirming.
Alexis Harney, LMFT
Specializing in adults, couples, and EMDR
Daniella Mohazab, AMFT
Specializing in adults, couples, and EMDR
A Message From Our Director To Our Queer Community
This year we have seen an acceleration of what has been happening since marriage equality became federal law: coordinated efforts to strip away our newfound rights, our livelihoods, and our humanity, and to invalidate our most cherished relationships. This is particularly true for our trans siblings.
Therapy is not adequate consolation for the rights, recognition, and legal protections we deserve. Our practice’s intention is to offer hope, validation, affirmation, and ways to cope until the pendulum of progress swings back the other way. Though we remain hopeful about the future, that does not detract from our very real grief and fear in the present. When we cannot make widespread change, we can start at home by being our most authentic and lovable selves, and tending to our beautiful, loving relationships.
Queer couples have always existed, and many have thrived despite lack of legal recognition and support. We will continue to live, love, and flourish despite efforts to rob us of our joy. We hope to offer our LGBT couples the support and tools to live their best lives under present circumstances.
May each day bring you a little more love, hope, and community.
- Laurel
Issues Unique To LGBT Couples Therapy
It would be great if there was a one-size-fits-all approach to couples therapy. But that’s simply not the case, and you shouldn’t work with a couples therapist who acts like it is. Here are six areas of conflict and tension unique to LGBT couples that our couples therapists can help with.
Outness, Identity, and Visibility
Coming out isn’t a one time thing. It’s a perpetual conversation and negotiation with self and others. Differing levels of outness and visibility can strain LGBT couples. A good LGBT couples therapist should be able to help you navigate these conversations.
Communication
The basis for any solid relationship! Several long term research studies on LGBT couples have showed some wonderful results; it turns out LGBT couples have some unique skills when it comes to communication. That said, sometimes gay couples withdraw from each other and show less affection during conflict. This can be worked on. One pattern that often underlies withdrawal is reassurance-seeking that has gotten out of balance; here's a look at when reassurance helps in relationships and when it quietly makes things worse.
Family Planning
Building a family as an LGBT couple sometimes comes with added layers of complexity and greater emotional upheaval. Making decisions about how and when to expand your family, as well as facing system, financial, and biological barriers, can be exhausting and intense. Our LGBT couples therapists get it.
Gender Roles
One of the best things about being in an LGBT relationship is getting to design your ideal partnership. There are no defaults. But sometimes, this requires intentional and careful communication around domestic and emotional labor. Our couples therapists can help with that.
Family of Origin Issues
Lack of family acceptance can be devastating and stressful on a relationship. It can make joyful events like weddings, births, and other life milestones painful. It can make difficult life events like illness and loss even more devastating. Without family support, LGBT relationships are more isolated and fragile. This article on how to set limits with difficult in-laws without causing more conflict is one of our most-read pieces on exactly this dynamic. Couples therapy can help identify ways to offset this stress and build intentional community and found family.
Homophobic & Transphobic Violence and Internalized Homophobia and Transphobia
It’s difficult to move through a world where violence on a macro and micro level are a frequent reality. It’s impossible to not let it affect your view of yourself. Over time, this can become internally toxic to you and your relationship. Our couples therapists can help you work through internalized homophobia and transphobia and heal.
Tending to the needs of your LGBT relationship is an act of love and activism.
Therapy for Couples In Our LGBT Community
A Brave Space for Exploration and Addressing LGBT Couples Experiences
We’re all a little tired of hearing about “safe spaces.” That’s why we say our therapy provides a brave environment for individuals to delve into their experiences and find ways to address conflicts and hurt. It goes beyond mere conversation and fosters a sense of courage.
Supporting Our LGBT Community
Our LGBT community often requires additional support in our journey towards self-discovery and understanding. Our practice is dedicated to providing a curiosity-led, affirming environment, acknowledging the nuanced and specific challenges faced by our community.
Combating Ignorance and Homophobia
We prioritize the experiences, identities, and genders of LGBTQ+ people, ensuring they are never ignored, dismissed, or misunderstood. Healing, affirmation, and the cultivation of connected relationships are our focus.
Time Spent On What Matters
Some well-meaning therapists put the burden of explaining LGBT couples’ experiences on clients. That's not how it should be. Our therapists have significant experience working with the LGBTQ+ community. Some are members of the community ourselves. We've walked the walk, and we're here to walk it with you.
Nothing Is More Important Than A Great Therapist Match
Research says the relationship you have with your therapist is the biggest single factor influencing the effectiveness of therapy. This is why we prioritize finding the right therapist fit for you.
At our practice, you’ll find no automated processes or algorithms. We believe in genuine, human-centered connections.
We've developed a personalized matching process that takes into account your therapy goals, personality, preferences, and evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
It all begins with a complimentary 20-minute conversation directly with one of our therapists.
By prioritizing your relationship, you're sending a message that your relationship is valuable and worth cherishing.
We all deserve connection and love. It's a fundamental part of our human nature.
But life can make this difficult. This is especially true for LGBT couples who face specific and nuanced stressors. Therapy can provide a contained, neutral space for you and your partner to share your experiences, feel more connected, and build shared meaning.
Common Reasons To Begin LGBT Couples Therapy
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Communication breakdowns or daily misunderstandings can wear down a relationship's base. There are techniques we can teach you to dealw with these problems. Through practice in safe and structured therapy sessions, you'll become confident in using these tools on your own.
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Constant conflict leads to overall tension every day. What would your relationship feel like without that? We'd like to help you discover how great it can be.
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Wouldn't it be wonderful if your partner knew what you wanted all the time? Sadly, no one does. If we expect our partners to read minds, we set them up for failure. Sometimes we think what we want is obvious. We may not realize we haven’t communicated our expectations. Our therapists can help couples make their expectations and hopes clear. This sets you up for success. When you're able to show up for each other well, you'll feel calmer and more loved.
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Trust ruptures, including infidelity, can really damage a relationship. It may not even start in your relationship. Sometimes trust problems are inherited from the past. It can feel too hard to overcome. But with the right guidance and commitment from both you and your partner, it's possible. Your relationship can feel better than ever.
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Lower emotional or sexual intimacy can prompt many couples to seek counseling. It can be difficult to talk about directly, but we can help. You deserve a satisfying and deep emotional and sex life.
One pattern that can quietly erode intimacy is floodlighting: oversharing vulnerability too early or too intensely in ways that push a partner back rather than drawing them closer.
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You may feel distant or disconnected from your partner. It can feel too hard to reconnect. Often, both partners miss each other but don't how how to work back to each other. Our therapists can guide you and help you connect again and deepen your connection.
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Money conflicts or financial uncertainty can stress a relationship. Fights about money tend to be worse than others. These fights are intensely emotional and very upsetting. Our therapists can help you untangle your money stories and create financial partnership.
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Even happy changes can be stressful. We all need time to adjust to. Major life changes, such as moving, starting a new job, or having a child, can stress a partnership. There are new jobs and responsibilities, and a new level of intimacy together. We can help you make transitions easier, with more joy and meaning.
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Conflict over parenting styles, discipline, or planning your family can create tension. The burden of caring for kids can feel lopsided, leading to resentment. Resentment is bad for any partnership. We can help you find balance, and share in the meaning of raising kids.
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While LGBT couples generaly do better with this than their straight peers, balancing household labor can be a source of tension for partners. Differences in what constitutes a fair division of tasks can lead to tension. One partner may feel burdened by an inequitable distribution of tasks. This unequal distribution leads to frustration and resentment. Addressing these inequities is an essential part of our couples therapy services. We work with couples to create equitable division of household tasks. We believe this is central to a more peaceful and joyful partnership. Through open communication and joint problem-solving, we help couples find hands-on solutions that meet both people's needs. This creates the balance necessary for a joyful relationship.
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Differing upbringings or religious practices can strain a relationship. They're also possible to balance. We can help you figure out how to keep your values while making a culture of meaning in your partnership.
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Personal issues, such as mental health problems, @ddiction, or untreated trauma, can affect couples. It can be difficult to know what needs to be done. Our therapists offer compassion and neutrality. This allows us to provide guidance for how to heal together and as individuals.
Nurturing your relationship is a statement of your right to love and be loved fully.
FAQs: LGBT Couples Therapy
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We’re so glad you asked! We’ve got a lot to say about how LGBT couples therapy is different here.
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es, despite differences in the feel of online sessions, many couples establish a strong emotional connection with their therapist. The therapy's effectiveness hinges on the therapist's skill and the couple's engagement.
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We use Gottman Method Couples Therapy is an evidence-based approach developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman. This approach is dedicated to enhancing communication, conflict resolution, and emotional connection in relationships. It offers a roadmap back to calm and connection.
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It's a structured yet personalized process, starting with a comprehensive assessment of a couple's strengths and growth areas. By analyzing how conflicts are handled, couples receive tailored tools to address issues and strengthen their bond.
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Gottman Method is versatile, benefitting couples dealing with conflicts, communication issues, emotional distance, or those seeking relationship enhancement. However, there are instances where couples therapy might not be recommended. We'll tell you upfront if we believe that’s the case.
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Absolutely. Online couples therapy, conducted through secure video calls, has been proven to be highly effective. It offers convenience, accessibility, and the chance to work with a Gottman therapist from the comfort of your space.
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Online couples therapy with us takes place through video calls. You'll connect with your Gottman therapist virtually. From there, sessions are just the same as in-person therapy.
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The platforms we use prioritize privacy, employing secure, encrypted channels that comply with HIPAA standards. We abide by the highest ethical standards in our profession.
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Couples therapy tackles a broad spectrum of issues, including communication problems, conflicts, trust issues, parenting challenges, and more. Couples therapy is a safe space for exploration and resolution.
You can read about our services for LGBT individual adults and teenagers here.
LGBT Couples Therapy: Working Together for Positive Change
The Power of Collaborative Couples Therapy
When people collaborate, the potential for positive change becomes immense. Our therapists are here to guide couples in their pursuit of deeper connection & understanding. Together, we can go farther and build a joyful, sustainable relationship.
LGBT Couples Therapy: Deepening Self & Partner Understanding
Our therapists specialize in helping individuals and couples develop a comprehensive understanding of themselves and each other. There is no need to educate our therapists about the specific challenges faced by LGBT couples; we’re already familiar with them. Instead, we can focus on building Love Maps, or your understanding of each other’s inner worlds. Strong Love Maps lead to greater relationships satisfaction, safety, and trust.
Building a Stronger, More Connected Relationship Through LGBT Couples Therapy
If you are ready to strengthen your relationship and deepen your connection, our therapists are here to listen, understand, guide, and affirm. We celebrate the beauty of the LGBT community and its diverse love stories. We are motivated to witness your growth and transformation. You deserve to be seen, heard, and loved.
Celebrating Authenticity and LGBT Love In Couples Therapy
Let's explore, understand, and celebrate your love story. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected relationship and affirm your identity, allowing you to live an authentic life. Love always deserves to be nurtured, understood, and celebrated.
Advocacy and Partnership for Your Relationship
We are advocates and partners in the health and happiness of our clients. Some of us are members of the LGBTQ+ community ourselves, so we have a vested interest in its well-being and success.
What couples are saying about LGBT Couples Therapy at Laurel Therapy Collective!
Anonymous client, quoted with permission:
“My partner and I did therapy [at Laurel Therapy Collective] and it was some of the best money we ever spent.”
Anonymous client, quoted with permission:
“You’ve helped us so much. I can’t imagine going back to how we felt when we first started.”
Tune in to the latest podcasts about LGBT couples therapy
Listen to what our therapists are talking about on the latest podcasts!
Other Affirming and Holistic Therapy Services in California & Florida
Laurel Therapy Collective is your destination for transformative online therapy. We recognize that mental health encompasses a spectrum of issues, and our San Francisco and Los Angeles therapists are here to address them all. From anxiety and EMDR therapy to LGBTQ matters, therapy for lawyers, couples' therapy, holistic therapy, Enneagram therapy, therapy for young adults, trauma therapy, therapy for burnout, and the specific challenges faced by teenagers, we offer comprehensive support tailored to your needs. We work with LGBT couples throughout California and Florida, with particular concentration in Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, and San Francisco. With a commitment to inclusivity, anti-racism, body positivity, and sex positivity, our team ensures a safe and empowering space for your healing journey. It's time to prioritize your well-being and find the happiness you deserve.