LGBTherapy
Matters
Navigating the Coming Out Journey
Welcome to LGBTherapy Matters. I’m Jeremiah Matters (He/Him), an openly gay therapist, and I’m so glad you found me. Navigating the Coming Out Journey—and realizing that it’s a lifelong process—is not an easy voyage, and it’s something I know first-hand. Growing up in the closet and constantly denying myself well into my young adult years made life overwhelming and unmanageable, and it took me several years of looking for affirming therapy until I finally found a therapist who I could be myself around. Learning how to accept yourself in a hetero-normative society is something that brings shame, fear, confusion, pain, suffering, and loss. However, as difficult as life may have been for you thus far, my hope as a therapist is to help you sail out of those dark waters and follow the compass to a brighter place filled with peace, understanding, acceptance, and authenticity.
Check out my TikTok.
Click on the link above to be redirected to my TikTok account and watch my latest videos where I talk about hot topics and clinical issues within the LGBTQ+ Community. Get a preview of my content by watching this video of one of my favorite topics I talk about with clients, “Reclaiming Your Gay Childhood.”
LGBTQ+ News.
Check out this NBC Out article: : “U.S. judge blocks Florida ban on care for trans minors in narrow ruling, says ‘gender identity is real’”
Click the title to read the article, or click “News” to read other articles.
Health & Safety Statement
If you are having any symptoms of being sick, please let me know as soon as possible and stay home and we can do a Telehealth therapy session, as I will kindly ask any client to leave if they are sick for the safety of myself and others. As our society continues to heal from the COVID-19 Pandemic, creating a space to help you feel safe and comfortable is my number one priority, and that is why I offer two options for therapy: 1). Therapy in-person at my office. Although masks are no longer required to be worn, please feel free to wear one while in the waiting room and/ or in session and let me know if you would like me to wear one as well. 2) Telehealth therapy via a HIPAA-compliant video call platform. For further questions, please contact me by clicking below.
LGBTherapy for Individuals
When meeting with you for Individual Therapy, I want you to understand that you know your story better than anyone else, but I also know that when we live a life full of lying to ourselves and denying who we are, we also tend to lie about and deny our true emotions—often displaying a façade to the outside world—and this can be harmful not only to ourselves, but to everyone around us. This is why I work with individual clients who are navigating the Coming Out Journey by using Emotionally Focused Therapy, for emotions are what drive our relationships and everything that we do. As an openly gay therapist, I remember what it’s like to hide in the closet, and I also know how liberating it has been to come out. If you want to learn how to accept yourself and start living your life more authentically, check out my “LGBTherapy for Individuals” page by clicking below.
LGBTherapy for Couples
Navigating the Coming Out Journey with your partner can be just as difficult as doing it alone. Whereas individuals can go years without ever coming out to their friends and families, couples often have a yearning to be known by their loved ones, but they disagree on how to do it due to cultural, religious, and personality differences. When meeting with you and your partner for Couples Therapy, I also use Emotionally Focused Therapy, but rather than turning towards oneself, I will have you turn towards your partner to help you become more vulnerable with your core emotions so that you both can learn how to be more authentic and understand each other’s attachment needs. As an openly gay therapist in a relationship, I know what it’s like to experience uncomfortable, conflicting emotions, and learning how to vulnerably express them to my partner in a meaningful, respectful way has done wonders for us. If you want to learn about how to end unhealthy cycles with your partner so that you can live more authentic lives with each other and those around you, check out my “LGBTherapy for Couples” page by clicking below.