LGBTQ+ Couples Therapy in Texas
Evidence-Based, Compassionate Therapy for Individuals or Couples
ReSpark Group is a premier therapy practice, with industry-leading clinicians, helping clients with relationships and sexual wellness. With ReSpark, you get the benefits of working with one of the biggest couples therapy and sex therapy groups in the country. All clinicians receive continuous supervision, consultation, and advanced education. ReSpark offers evidence-based, effective therapy and coaching. Clinicians obtain world-class sex therapy and couples therapy training from the Sexual Health Alliance.
Our team personally matches every patient with an expert who has the right personality and education for the best outcomes. Your time is valuable, and it's our goal for you to quickly develop rapport with someone who is a good fit for you and your needs.
ABOUT OUR LGBTQ+ COUPLES THERAPY IN TEXAS
WHAT IS LGBTQ+ COUPLES THERAPY?
Couples therapy carries a negative connotation to many. It has been considered a “last-ditch effort” to salvage an already broken marriage or relationship. At Respark, we work to change this perspective. Couples Therapy, especially at Respark, can be a beneficial space for productive, non-judgemental communication for those at any stage of their relationship. Couples Therapy is designed to not only focus on the bad moments but find all the ways to celebrate and encourage the good. At Respark, we strive to guide you and your partner(s) through anything that may come up in your life–we’re here to help fan the flame of your love.
Everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and understood in therapy regardless of socio-economic status, race, gender identity, and sexual preferences. No help can be had when a therapist has a bias towards particular patients. Respark’s LGBTQ+ Couples Therapy is talk therapy with expert and compassionate therapists. All practicing therapists with Respark are AASECT Certified Sex Therapists and SHA Certified Sex Therapists. We welcome partners from all walks of life. We are experienced and knowledgeable of all expressions and orientations. We are trained in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and asexual issues. We see clients that struggle with same-sex attraction, gender identity/gender care, and gender nonconformity. Several therapists on our staff also specialize in transgender issues.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED LGBTQ+ COUPLES THERAPY?
Individual therapy is for everyone–every person can benefit from some form of therapy. People of all ages, all cultures, and all demographics are seen in therapy. Cultural taboos, stigmas, shyness, embarrassment, or shame can affect the way people view and judge their life. There is no shame in getting help. At Respark, we are dedicated to helping you navigate through depression, anxiety, and other life stressors. Respark your love for life again. You are not alone!
Some reasons LGBTQ+ folks may seek us out:
- Difficulty discussing sexual topics with your partner
- Family of origin issues including abuse, neglect, and trauma
- Mixed sexual orientation relationships (one partner is heterosexual and the other is bisexual)
- Shame or confidence issues
- Coming out process and concerns
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Asexual, and other orientation concerns
- Identity questions or sexual development exploration
- Gender identity and gender care
Just want a therapist that is knowledgeable and affirming?
Clients tell us we're friendly, down to earth and approach therapy in a collaborative manner. We offer a holistic, gentle yet direct, and tailored approach that includes well-researched theories with a relational foundation. Together, we will learn new techniques, assign at-home exercises, reading assignments, conduct in-session guided exercises and other activities that make therapy and coaching fun and productive. We'll work together to form an approach that will be tailored to your goals. Leading researchers, including Esther Perel, Brené Brown, John Gottman, David Schnarch, David Ley, Chris Donaghue, and Marty Klein influence our therapeutic work with couples and individuals. Additionally, as AASECT-Certified Sex Therapists, we will work toward improving intimacy, strengthening communication skills, and communicating your desires.
Common issues around LGBTQ+ Couples Issues that bring clients that to therapy may be:
- Desire mismatch
- One partner identifies within the LGBTQ+ community and one does not
- Identity exploration
- Feeling identity erasure in a mixed-orientation relationship
- Fertility issues in same-sex relationships
- Issues around marriage for same sex relationships
- Coming “Out”
- LGBTQ+ Parenting
- Transitioning when in a relationship
Read More About LBGTQQIA+ From Our Experts:
GSRD or LGBTQ+?
Dr. Meg-John Barker, an expert in LGBTQ+ theory, sees something missing from the abbreviation of LGBTQ+. Instead, they proposed a new term for replacement: GSRD, or, Gender, Sexual, and Relationship Diversity. Barker’s intent is not to insinuate anything is inherently wrong with LGBTQ+, but they believe we can do better. GSRD, in turn, is to better serve the queer community as a whole and consistently works to reexamine our foundational knowledge on gender and sexual identity.
It is easy to see that the words used to describe the relationship between sexuality and gender identity were constructed using antiquated ideas. Only in recent decades have we created terminology that addressed lived experiences of many individuals, while the majority of our lexicon remains behind. Barker sees an issue with terms like “lesbian” and “gay” in that they rely on the person’s gender identity in order to be applicable. “Lesbian,” for example, necessitates that the person identifies as a woman and is attracted to other women-identifying people. This definition does not take into account biology, ignoring that people may experience differing attractions based on sex organs as well, regardless of that person’s chosen gender identity.
GSRD also relieves significant pressure from the Q+ in LGBTQ+. As Barker points out, the term has become an alphabet soup and leads to unnecessary confusion and exclusion. In the language of sexuality and gender identity, everything that isn’t perfectly categorized as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transexual, is automatically lumped together under Q+, indicating an obvious hierarchy of queer identities. At Respark, we agree that we can do better in representing all people, but chose to use “LGBTQ+” because of its widespread understandability.
To read more about Dr. Meg-John Barker and their work in the queer community, click here.
TESTIMONIAL
"I collaborate professionally with Heather on a regular basis and believe she is a talented, effective, and down-to-earth sex therapist. She is my go-to referral for clients exploring sexuality issues such as a sexless marriage, issues of sexual identity, kink, open and poly relationships. I feel so lucky to have her as part of our Austin therapist community!”
Dr. Jessica Michaelson
Dear Texas, ReSpark Your Fire With Us
The sex therapy services offered at Respark are confidential and highly specialized. If you are looking for a sex therapist with specialty training in sexuality issues, look no further. Visit our in person locations in Austin, Texas or see a provider online from any location you choose. We know that Austin prides itself on being a healthy city with great healthcare resources. Residents of Austin have their choice of great hospitals, doctors, mental health providers, and now, highly credentialed sex therapists.
Although Austin, Texas is where our physical location is, residents from all over Texas are eligible for online sex therapy through Respark. From Fort Worth to El Paso, or any other great city in Texas, we are here to provide you with the services you need.
When you are ready to re-spark the fire in your sex life, there is no one better to turn to than the specialty providers at Respark. We welcome individuals and couples from anywhere in the Texas region. Bring your spark back today!