NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS. IN PERSON & ONLINE. EVENINGS & WEEKENDS AVAILABLE.
11500 29 St SE Unit 105, Calgary, AB T2Z 3W9 - Call 403 713 0163 today!
You want to show up and feel good about yourself.
Are you tired of not being accepted or understood because of who you are?
Maybe you've been targeted and othered for how you dress, love, express or identify.
Sometimes you feel ashamed, unheard, afraid, rejected, or alienated.
You might feel on your own at times without adequate family, social, or systemic support.
You may be dealing with:
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violence
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inequality
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dysphoria
- discrimination
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bias or judgment
Maybe you feel confused because you struggle with your own gender or sexuality.
Individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+ are more likely to experience mental health concerns and minority stress.
Your concern might be related to your gender or sexuality.
You and your identity are not a problem to be treated, but feeling different or being attacked can negatively affect your mental health and increase anxiety, depression, stress or substance use.
Many people in the LGTBQ+ community have faced:
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micro-aggressions
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misgendering or mispronouning
- normative assumptions
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transphobia or homophobia
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pathologizing healthcare
Your concerns might also be something unrelated to your identity - maybe you're just looking for counselling where you won't experience oppressive or dismissive care.
Therapy with an LGBTQ+ friendly counsellor allows you to arrive as you are.
LGBTQ+ counselling can help you live authentically and be true to yourself.
You can find safe, equitable spaces to share all parts of you.
You deserve to be welcomed, included and embraced exactly as you are.
Your emotions, expressions, and identities can be witnessed and accepted, so you can show up as uniquely yourself.
When you are supported to navigate the world and meet your needs in healthy ways, you can enjoy feelings of happiness and euphoria.
You can build meaningful connections where you feel a sense of belonging with people who love and care for you.
What if you could feel...
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seen
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heard
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understood
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believed
- accepted
In LGBTQ+ counselling, your therapist will honor you and your preferences.
You can set the goals, pace and focus of the work in a space where you will be validated free from assumptions.
You can learn to identify your needs, communicate your concerns, invite other safe people to support you, and protect yourself.
Inclusive counselling gives you an opportunity to better trust yourself and your body.
LGBTQ+ therapy can help you:
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increase safety
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explore beliefs
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identify barriers
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navigate conflict
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improve relationships
At Therapy Alberta, we acknowledge the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community without pathologizing the individual.
You can expect your therapist to be non-judgmental and meet you where you're at.
We approach therapy with respect, humility and belief in the client as the expert.
Our LGBTQ+ counsellors will create with you a supportive therapeutic relationship guided by your unique preferences.
We will come alongside you with compassion to allow you the time and space to safely discover and heal your pain.
Some approaches to LGBTQ+ therapy include:
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
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Sex-positive, Kink-aware, and Poly(am) aware
We can support folx struggling with anxiety, body image, conflict, depression, grief, identity, neurodiversity, stress, or trauma in individual, relationship, and family counselling.
We offer exclusively online counselling so you can connect to an LGBTQ+ therapist anywhere in Calgary or across Alberta.
Sometimes you need to access care in a different location to find truly affirming and inclusive care.
Maybe you've had a negative experience with a past healthcare provider. We love online therapy because it's accessible, private, convenient and flexible.
You'll love online counselling if you are:
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nervous about going to a new or public place
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prefer privacy and being in your own space
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more comfortable with phone or video calls
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okay skipping the waiting room and office
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not located close to an affirming therapist
We build great relationships online and the distance can make it easier to connect and be vulnerable.
Our therapists offer evening and weekend appointments to fit your lifestyle.
Meet our featured LGBTQ+ Therapist:
REGISTERED PROVISIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST
I specialize in helping neurodiverse, gender diverse, transgender and LGBTQ+ adults and teens to find their strengths, connect, and thrive. I am committed to providing safe, affirming care that is tailored to your unique individuality.
Online LGBTQ+ Therapy across Alberta
In Person LGBTQ+ Therapy in Airdrie
You might still have some questions or concerns about LGBTQ+ counselling...
What is a microaggression?
Microaggressions are intentional or unintentional interactions that discriminate, insult, invalidate, exclude, deny or negate a minority person or group. Interactions can include verbal, behavioral, environmental, personal or societal messages, policies, norms, language, assumptions, or questions. For queer folx and those in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, experiences can include slurs, snubs, disapproval, minimizing, dismissing, dodging topics, disrespect, invasive questions, stereotypes, and generalizations.
What is affirming therapy?
Affirming therapy or affirmative therapy is a therapeutic approach that affirms and validates a person's gender identity and sexual identity and does not view them as needing to be fixed. Affirming therapists understand gender and sexuality can present in many evolving ways and advocate for their clients. Affirming therapy prioritizes a safe and individualized space for processing, increasing support, embracing diversity, and encouraging empathy and reflection.
Can you guarantee I will have a safe experience in counselling?
We want you to feel good about therapy and offer client-centered therapy geared to your unique needs and preferences. However, we are human too, and we make mistakes. Our therapists are open to your feedback because we want to help in a way that works for you. Please share with one of our therapists if you had a past therapy experience that was not good or helpful. Please contact our owner if your experience with Therapy Alberta was not good or not helpful.
What will happen if I point out something hurtful my therapist said or did?
We all make mistakes, and sometimes your therapist might say or do something that is harmful to you. We welcome feedback and hope you feel comfortable addressing it in the moment, or later when you are ready. Your therapist should acknowledge their action caused harm, apologize, seek repair, and identify any action they will take to avoid future harm.
Do I have to identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ to access LGBTQ+ counselling?
No, many people seek affirming therapy to better understand or support a partner, family member, loved one, or friend in the LGBTQ+ community. Counselling offers a space to explore and challenge your beliefs, biases, and behaviors so you can show up as an ally or advocate for others.
How much does LGBTQ+ counselling cost?
Our LGBTQ+ therapy sessions are $220 with a Psychologist or Social Worker with direct billing for most insurance companies, or a receipt to claim for re-imbursement or as a medical expense on your taxes. Counselling sessions with a Certified Canadian Counsellor are $180; check with your insurance to confirm coverage for mental health counselling. Sliding scale fees are available.