LGBTQ+ Couples Therapy in Washington
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 LGBT+ COUPLES THERAPY IN WASHINGTON
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED LGBTQ+ 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
HOW IS RESPARK DIFFERENT?
We see 500+ clients every month through our Online Therapy Program. After a decade of practice, we look forward to serving you through online counseling or via phone therapy anywhere in Washington.
Respark is a talk therapy practice that is inclusive and affirming of all orientations, lifestyles, beliefs, and relationship styles. Respark’s team has a combined 70+ years of experience and consists of highly-specialized therapists who are committed to serving your individual and relationship needs. While most couples therapists do not receive any education in sexuality, the therapists on our team continuously seek advanced, expert training opportunities in sexuality and relationship issues so we can provide the most up-to-date and effective therapy to our clients.
We aim to provide high-quality couples therapy and the best sex therapy, individual counseling, and coaching throughout all of Washington. Our counselors and coaches are available online for anyone nationwide.
At Respark, we specialize in moving through sexual issues by creating passion in your relationship and working towards relighting the fire of love in your life. Your sexuality can be a sensitive and frustrating topic, let our professionals help guide you through it.