Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Can I come to session if I’m sick?
Short answer: No. Long answer: 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 a couple different options for conducting therapy sessions. One option is to come for 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. For further questions, please see my Contact page by clicking below. For further questions, please see my Contact page by clicking here.
What is your stance on Conversion Therapy?
I do not support Conversion Therapy, also known as Reparative Therapy. Other than Conversion Therapy being illegal in California, it is also incredibly harmful to clients. One does not choose their sexual orientation, rather it is something they are born with. If you are looking for this type of therapy, I encourage you to read more about the dangers of it by reading this article on the Human Rights website by clicking here.
I see that you specialize in LGB relationships. What about the rest of the LGBTQ+ Community?
Although my key focus is on LGB relationships, I am an affirming therapist for all of the LGBTQ+ Community. That being said, due to being a gay cisgender man, I recognize that my views are limited and I am in a constant state of learning more about the Community. If you have any questions about my skills and experience, please visit my About Me or Contact page and give me a call to see if I would be a good fit for you.
What does “hetero-normativity” mean?
This is a term that refers to the basic assumption that being heterosexual (straight) is the normal, standard sexual orientation, and that anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ is outside that norm. A typical example of this is that when a boy is growing up, his parents will more likely than not ask him questions about girls such as, “When are you bringing home a girl?” without ever asking the boy about his sexuality because it was already assumed.
I have already come out to my friends and family, but I still have issues in my life related to my sexuality. Do you see clients who have already come out?
Short answer: Yes. Long answer: The “Coming Out Journey” is a lifelong process. People like you and me in the LGBTQ+ Community don’t have the luxury to stop coming out because we live in a hetero-normative society, which means that every new person we meet—a new neighbor, doctor, nurse, boss, coworker, etc.—will most likely assume we are another cisgender, straight person, unless we state otherwise. The therapy I offer isn’t only for people who are just beginning to Navigate the Coming Our Journey, but also for those who are continuing to navigate it for the rest of their lives.