Overview

Issues around sexual and gender identity are common and are particularly challenging for youth and young adults. While Canada has progressed in terms of its laws and institutions when it comes to acceptance of LGBTQ2IA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirited, intersex, asexual) people, mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation for non-heterosexual and transgender people remains high compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts.

Using an affirmative model of therapy, I work with young people and adults around issues of sexual and gender identity. I do not practice any form of conversion therapy and strongly advocate against this approach. I am also a professional member of the Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health (CPATH) and am able to complete bio-psycho-social assessments with regard to writing support letters for hormone replacement therapy and the Prior-Approval Form for accessing Medicare coverage for gender-affirming surgeries in the province of New Brunswick (following WPATH Standards of Care).

Some of the other issues that I can help you with in therapy include:

• identity confusion
• family rejection
• gender dysphoria
• family conflict (working with family members together)
• religious/spirituality conflicts
• depression specifically around sexual or gender identity
• anxiety/discomfort around sexual or gender identity
• suicidal ideation
• issues in non-monogamous relationships (see couples therapy)
• difficulty with sexual and gender identity normativity
• social rejection
• loneliness