LGBTQ

Family dynamics make it hard to share openly.

It’s Thanksgiving, and your family members keep looking at you at the table – making you the focus of attention again.

Your mother tells your extended family how proud she is that you recently started one of the top graduate programs in your field. Still, your extended family members are not interested in your academic achievements and success.

All your family wants to know is why you are not dating anyone or bringing “a nice girl” home. Those conversations are very stressful and involve much more than you are willing to share. This conversation makes you want to escape the table and your parents’ house as your heart pounds and tension and fear increase.

You think embracing diversity is not something your family can do. Therefore, sharing with them doesn’t feel safe because you are unsure of what to say. Your body wants to shut down and freeze.

There is a sacrifice for hiding the truth.

Feeling valued and accepted by your family and others around you is essential. Unfortunately for you, fitting in means hiding who you are. Hiding the truth has gone on for too long, and it is beginning to take its toll.

Hiding the truth affects your sleep, motivation, and overall energy level. You are trying very hard to please your family, but in the process, you feel drained, lonely, and scared of disappointing your parents.

Your parents invested a lot in your activities and education. They have a high regard for you, and you are their “perfect” child who excels in everything he does.

Knowing that you cannot fulfill your parents’ hopes and dreams for your personal life crushes you and makes you feel ashamed.

Therapy can help you overcome internal conflict.

Wanting not to hurt your parents is understandable but hiding your sexual orientation is not the answer.

It’s time to envision another life for yourself, and therapy can help you find that life – one that liberates you from pleasing others and enables you to feel content with who you are.

In this life, you can experience joy, rid yourself of guilt and shame, and honor yourself by removing internal conflict and fear of disappointing your family.

In therapy, you will learn to identify and pursue YOUR hopes and dreams and take pride in who you are. Finally, you will learn to take risks and present your true self to those around you.

Take the first step in your healing journey to embrace who you are!

Let’s connect.