What affirming means here
- Your identity is not treated as a symptom, a phase, or a problem to solve
- We use your name and pronouns, and we ask rather than assume
- You decide what we explore and when; nothing is forced into the open
- We hold the cultural and family context alongside the queer one, not instead of it
- Our clinicians keep learning about LGBTQ+ and gender-affirming care
You can bring your whole self here, including the parts still in progress.
How therapy helps.
Identity, culture, and family at the same time
Many of our clients are navigating a queer identity within a family or culture that has no comfortable language for it. We do not ask you to pick a side. We help you work out what you want your relationships to look like, what you are willing to carry, and what you are ready to put down.
Relationships and dating
We work with attachment, boundaries, jealousy, non-monogamy, breakups, and the loneliness of dating in a city where everyone else seems fine. We focus on the patterns underneath, not only the latest situation.
Anxiety, depression, and the cost of staying watchful
Scanning rooms, editing yourself, and bracing for the comment all add up. We treat anxiety and low mood directly, using CBT, ACT, and EMDR where they fit, while taking seriously where the vigilance came from.
Questions before you start?
Do I need to have my identity figured out before I start?
No. Many people come to therapy because things are not figured out yet, and we do not need a label to begin. You decide what we explore and when.
Do you work with trans and nonbinary clients?
Yes. This is an affirming practice: we use your name and pronouns, we ask rather than assume, and your gender is never treated as the problem. Feel free to tell us at intake about anything specific you need from a therapist, and we will be clear about what we can and cannot offer.
Can I use insurance, and will my identity appear anywhere?
You can use any of our in-network plans, and if you do not have workable coverage, there is a sliding scale. Insurance claims list a clinical diagnosis for the visit, as with any therapy, not your sexuality or gender identity. We are glad to talk through what that means for you.
Sliding scale spots are currently open with Laila Siddiqui, MHC-I for clients located in New York — you choose what you can pay, from $30 to $80 per session. How the sliding scale works.
Related: Identity & Self-Esteem · AAPI Therapy · Children of Immigrants · Relationship Issues · Anxiety · Young Adults
Who you'll work with.
Founder & Mental Health Counselor. EMDR-trained, culturally attuned, licensed in New York & Florida.
About Tina →
Mental Health Counselor. Works with teens and young adults in New York, under the clinical supervision of Tina Liu, LMHC-D. Sliding scale spots available.
About Laila →
Mental Health Counselor. Works with adolescents and young adults in New York, in English and Mandarin, under the clinical supervision of Tina Liu, LMHC-D.
About Junli →Not sure where to start? Feel free to send us a note, and we will help you find a good fit.