GLOW (Gays and Lesbians Out and Well) is psychotherapy and counseling with a gay-affirming focus for the Denver, Colorado, LGBT community.
Domestic abuse and violence is blind to sexual orientation or social status. On a Daily basis, Issues of dominance, power, and control in relationships are rooted in the fabric of the oppressive systems we live in. Although there is overlap between the issues faced by survivors of domestic violence and partner abuse in straight and gay relationships, GLBT persons struggle with some unique challenges and vulnerabilities that may be exploited in same-sex intimate partner abuse. These include:
Fear...
Somewhere between 6 million and 12 million children have been blessed with gay parents. Yet, gay and lesbian parents continue to struggle on a daily basis with the challenges of a homophobic society and institutionalized oppression. Gays and lesbians are the only population facing restrictions on the rights and privileges of parenthood.
When it comes to parenting, as well as other civil rights, gays and lesbians are de facto second class citizens:
Many states still bar adoptions and foster parenting by gay men and lesbians. Family courts have taken children away from gay parents and awarded custody...
A healthy relationship requires the ability to tolerate and deal with conflict in a respectful way that maintains personal dignity and avoids hurt and wounding. Conflict is normal and teaches us about our differences. The skills of friendly conflict require a couple to agree to rules of engagement that allow them to work out differences without triggering their deepest fears of criticism or rejection. It means engaging without hurting or blaming one another. Here are some tips to ensure that conflicts will strengthen your relationship instead of harming it. In my Denver couples counseling practice, I offer counseling that recommends these seven rules of health relationship engagement:
Seven rules...
Are you avoiding sex because of physical or emotional pain or
discomfort?
Do you want to be sexual but are afraid or don’t feel the desire?
Are you pressured or blamed for low sexual function?
Are you experiencing anxiety while engaging in sex?
Is sex addiction or porn and cybersex addiction impacting your life?
Women's sexual desire and relationship therapy in my Denver
psychotherapy practice
Although every women is different, and may have a different relationship with their
sexuality, low sexual desire is a common issue, especially for perimenopausal
women. What is uncommon is for people to do something about those problems
before they irreparably damage their self-esteem and relationships.
Women's sexuality...
Communication is an important aspect of all relationships. Couples that have healthy relationships communicate love and respect to each other. Effective communication requires not only listening and empathy skills but also the ability to express thoughts and feelings without criticism or attack of the partner. Feeling safe to express emotions and thought are therefore primary to good communication. If you are afraid of being hurt or rejected for your emotions or thoughts you will be reluctant to communicate. Good communication doesn't mean that you won’t have any conflict, it involves how honestly you express your thoughts, ideas, and feelings to others, especially in what you say and how you...
Are you dissatisfied, questioning, feeling stuck or anxious about your relationship or career choice?
Are you struggling with the meaning of your life as an empty-nester?
Are you worried there’s little time left to materialize your dreams?
Are you being confronted by your own mortality?
Are physical, sexual, and health changes diminishing your confidence?
Are you depressed, irritable, and indecisive, as life seems to pass you by?
If you are between your late Thirties and late Fifties, you are probably undergoing a natural life cycle change or transition often labeled as the “midlife crisis”. This developmental transition is marked both by physical changes, as the body ages, and by...
Are you challenged by gender roles and expectations in your relationship?
Are you wanting equality in your relationship but don't know how to manifest it?
Do you suffer with competition and one-upmanship in your relationship?
Do you struggle with differential power, racial, or religious dynamics?
Are you burdened by with issues of homophobia or bi-phobia?
Is one of you considered to be better looking by the culture?
Do you deal with unequal resources or finances in your relationship?
Do you have painful discussions about money?
Some power differentials in relationships include financial, educational, and ethnic or religious affiliation. Position differences include social support differences, beauty, sexual availability, emotional wherewithal, resiliency,...
GLOW (Gays and Lesbians Out and Well) is psychotherapy and counseling with a gay-affirming focus for the Denver, Colorado, LGBT community.Depression & mental health counseling for the Gay and Lesbian community in Denver, Colorado:
By definition, depression is anger directed at one's self. I see individuals and couples struggling with internal anger and stuckness. Research has shown that Gay men and Lesbians may have higher rates of depression when compared with the general population. Homophobia may be part of the reason. GLBT folk struggle with both internalized homophobia (directed against oneself) as well as the homophobia many gay people encounter at school, work, home, and in society...
What is Bisexuality?
Bisexuality is a sexual orientation directed towards both men and women. Bisexuality is an affectional orientation towards both men and women.Bisexuality, or "Bi", is a life experience or identity, whether the person is sexually active or not. Bisexuality is feelings of sexual attraction or sexual behavior towards both men and women, but not necessarily to the same degree.Bisexuality is the "B" in LGBT
Sexual Diversity. Sexuality exists on a continuum. Not all of us are destined to be attracted to one gender or biological sex. There are different kinds of attachments: sexual, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. These may not be separable, but may...
Are you, or a Gay or Lesbian loved-one dependent on drugs, alcohol, or compulsive sexual behaviors such as cruising, cybersex or internet porn addiction,to boost confidence?
To feel socially accepted?
To feel sexually connected and desireable?
To self-sooth from distress or trauma?
To fit into the bar culture?
Gays and Lesbians are three times more likely to struggle with chemical dependency, drug abuse, or other compulsive behaviors or addictions than the general population, not because of their sexual orientation or genetics, but because of societal/cultural, and psychological factors that result from external and internalized homophobia, including: Lack of self-acceptance. Self-medication to deal with coming out and daily stressors. Social acceptance...
