Trauma-Informed Therapy for LGBTQIA+ & Neurodivergent Adults
Who I Work With
I specialize in working with adults who are:
- Part of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Neurodivergent (including ADHD, autism, or those exploring their neurodivergence)
- Processing trauma or difficult past experiences
- Navigating identity exploration or life transitions
- Struggling with emotional overwhelm, anxiety, or burnout
- Feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve them
Many of my clients come in feeling like they’ve been “holding it together” for a long time—but underneath that, they’re exhausted, disconnected, or unsure of who they are outside of expectations. Therapy can be a place to slow down, make sense of those experiences, and reconnect with yourself more compassionately.
My Approach
I believe therapy works best when it feels like a genuine, human connection. You don’t need to have the “right words” or everything figured out—we’ll work together to understand what’s going on and what you need.
My work is trauma-informed and grounded in evidence-based practices, including:
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for trauma processing
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to understand patterns in thoughts and behaviors
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotional regulation and distress tolerance
- Mindfulness-based approaches to build awareness and self-compassion
Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model, I tailor therapy to you—your needs, your pace, and your goals. We might focus on building coping skills, processing trauma, exploring identity, or creating systems that actually support your daily life.
Trauma & Healing
If you’ve experienced trauma—whether it was something acute or something more ongoing—you may notice it showing up in ways that feel confusing or frustrating. Maybe it’s anxiety, shutdown, emotional reactivity, difficulty trusting others, or feeling disconnected from yourself.
I have specialized training in EMDR, an evidence-based approach that helps the brain reprocess traumatic experiences so they feel less overwhelming and more integrated. We will always move at a pace that feels safe and collaborative—nothing is rushed, and you are always in control of the process.
I have specialized training in EMDR, an evidence-based approach that helps the brain reprocess traumatic experiences so they feel less overwhelming and more integrated. We will always move at a pace that feels safe and collaborative—nothing is rushed, and you are always in control of the process.
LGBTQIA+ Affirming Care
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I understand how important it is to have a space where your identity is not questioned, minimized, or pathologized.
Whether you’re exploring your identity, navigating relationships, processing minority stress, or simply wanting a therapist who gets it, I offer a space grounded in respect, authenticity, and affirmation. You deserve support that honors your full self—not just parts of you.
Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy
If you’re neurodivergent—or think you might be—you may have spent years trying to fit into systems that weren’t designed for you. That can lead to burnout, self-doubt, and a lot of internalized pressure to “just try harder.”
In our work together, we focus on understanding how your brain works and building strategies that actually support you. This might include:
- Reducing shame and self-criticism
- Building sustainable routines and systems
- Improving emotional regulation
- Navigating relationships and communication
- Unmasking and reconnecting with your authentic self
You don’t need to force yourself into someone else’s version of functioning. We’ll find what works for you.
My Background
In addition to my clinical training, I bring lived experience as both a veteran and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. These experiences shape how I understand resilience, identity, and the complexity of navigating different systems and environments.
I strive to create a space that feels grounded, real, and supportive—where you don’t have to explain the basics of your experience to be understood.
What Therapy With Me Feels Like
Clients often describe our work together as:
- Warm and nonjudgmental
- Collaborative and flexible
- Grounded in both skill-building and deeper exploration
- Honest, with gentle challenge when it supports growth
I’ll meet you where you are, and we’ll move forward together in a way that feels manageable and meaningful.
Let’s Get Started
You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just curious about yourself and your patterns, that’s more than enough.
Welcome
Starting therapy can feel like a big step—especially if you’ve spent a long time feeling misunderstood, overwhelmed, or like you’ve had to hide parts of yourself to get through the world. I want you to know that you don’t have to do that here.
I work with adults who are ready to better understand themselves, process what they’ve been carrying, and build lives that feel more aligned, grounded, and sustainable. My approach is warm, collaborative, and affirming—especially for LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent folks looking for a space to show up fully as themselves.
I specialize in working with adults who are:
– Part of the LGBTQIA+ community
-Neurodivergent (including ADHD, autism, or those exploring their neurodivergence)
-Processing trauma or difficult past experiences
-Navigating identity exploration or life transitions
-Struggling with emotional overwhelm, anxiety, or burnout
-Feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve them
Many of my clients come in feeling like they’ve been “holding it together” for a long time—but underneath that, they’re exhausted, disconnected, or unsure of who they are outside of expectations. Therapy can be a place to slow down, make sense of those experiences, and reconnect with yourself more compassionately.
My Approach
I believe therapy works best when it feels like a genuine, human connection. You don’t need to have the “right words” or everything figured out—we’ll work together to understand what’s going on and what you need.
My work is trauma-informed and grounded in evidence-based practices, including:
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for trauma processing
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to understand patterns in thoughts and behaviors
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotional regulation and distress tolerance
Mindfulness-based approaches to build awareness and self-compassion
Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model, I tailor therapy to you—your needs, your pace, and your goals. We might focus on building coping skills, processing trauma, exploring identity, or creating systems that actually support your daily life.
Trauma & Healing
If you’ve experienced trauma—whether it was something acute or something more ongoing—you may notice it showing up in ways that feel confusing or frustrating. Maybe it’s anxiety, shutdown, emotional reactivity, difficulty trusting others, or feeling disconnected from yourself.
I have specialized training in EMDR, an evidence-based approach that helps the brain reprocess traumatic experiences so they feel less overwhelming and more integrated. We will always move at a pace that feels safe and collaborative—nothing is rushed, and you are always in control of the process.
LGBTQIA+ Affirming Care
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I understand how important it is to have a space where your identity is not questioned, minimized, or pathologized.
Whether you’re exploring your identity, navigating relationships, processing minority stress, or simply wanting a therapist who gets it, I offer a space grounded in respect, authenticity, and affirmation. You deserve support that honors your full self—not just parts of you.
Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy
If you’re neurodivergent—or think you might be—you may have spent years trying to fit into systems that weren’t designed for you. That can lead to burnout, self-doubt, and a lot of internalized pressure to “just try harder.”
In our work together, we focus on understanding how your brain works and building strategies that actually support you. This might include:
Reducing shame and self-criticism
Building sustainable routines and systems
Improving emotional regulation
Navigating relationships and communication
Unmasking and reconnecting with your authentic self
You don’t need to force yourself into someone else’s version of functioning. We’ll find what works for you.
My Background
In addition to my clinical training, I bring lived experience as both a veteran and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. These experiences shape how I understand resilience, identity, and the complexity of navigating different systems and environments.
I strive to create a space that feels grounded, real, and supportive—where you don’t have to explain the basics of your experience in order to be understood.
What Therapy With Me Feels Like
Clients often describe our work together as:
Warm and nonjudgmental
Collaborative and flexible
Grounded in both skill-building and deeper exploration
Honest, with gentle challenge when it supports growth
I’ll meet you where you are, and we’ll move forward together in a way that feels manageable and meaningful.
Let’s Get Started
You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just curious about yourself and your patterns, that’s more than enough.
I offer both in-person sessions and telehealth appointments.
When you’re ready, I’d be honored to work with you.
Welcome!
Starting therapy can feel like a big step—especially if you’ve spent a long time feeling misunderstood, overwhelmed, or like you’ve had to hide parts of yourself to get through the world. I want you to know that you don’t have to do that here.
I work with adults who are ready to better understand themselves, process what they’ve been carrying, and build lives that feel more aligned, grounded, and sustainable. My approach is warm, collaborative, and affirming—especially for LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent folks looking for a space to show up fully as themselves.
I specialize in working with adults who are:
Part of the LGBTQIA+ community
Neurodivergent (including ADHD, autism, or those exploring their neurodivergence)
Processing trauma or difficult past experiences
Navigating identity exploration or life transitions
Struggling with emotional overwhelm, anxiety, or burnout
Feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve them
Many of my clients come in feeling like they’ve been “holding it together” for a long time—but underneath that, they’re exhausted, disconnected, or unsure of who they are outside of expectations. Therapy can be a place to slow down, make sense of those experiences, and reconnect with yourself in a more compassionate way.
drstephanymahaffey.com 