I am proud to be an affirming therapist serving LGBTQ-identified clients, individuals who are exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity, and parents and families with LGBTQ+ youth. My clinical background includes training at an LGBTQ+ community counseling center in Santa Barbara, CA, and I have over a decade of research experience studying mental health in LGBTQ+ communities and family support for LGBTQ+ youth.
Many LGBTQ+ clients come to therapy for reasons that are largely unrelated to sexual orientation or gender identity but want the assurance of having a queer-affirming therapist. Additionally, I work with LGBTQ+ clients who have a range of concerns that more directly relate to their experience as an LGBTQ+ person, including:
- Coming out
- Coping with discrimination and rejection
- Identity exploration / questioning
- Internalized heterosexism/cisgenderism (negative beliefs about yourself for being LGBTQ+)
- Intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and religion, culture, or other identities
- Navigating relationships with family
- Social and medical transition
In line with WPATH-8 guidelines, I use an informed consent model for transgender and nonbinary clients who are seeking a letter from a therapist to support gender-affirming medical care.
Joshua Goodman, Ph.D. 