LGBTQ-Affirmative Therapy in Los Angeles for Individuals and Couples

Serving clients in West LA, Beverly Hills, and West Hollywood

BRETT MARROQUIN, PH.D. | Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Certified in Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT)

At Solid Ground CBT, my mission is to increase LGBTQ individuals’ and couples’ access to high-quality, scientifically-supported therapies that can truly transform LGBTQ people’s lives and relationships, in a safe, caring, and affirming place.

For LGBTQ folks, it can be tough to find a therapist that fits, someone you can be your whole self with, who "gets" it. And for LGBTQ couples, it can be even harder to find a well-qualified couples therapist who identifies as LGBTQ themselves and specializes in working with the LGBTQ community.

Have you ever run into these common challenges for LGBTQ people in therapy?

  • Therapists who are unfamiliar with LGBTQ communities, cultures, relationships, or language

  • Therapy that feels tolerant, but not actively “affirmative” about LGBTQ identity and experience

  • Therapy that feels judgmental or “othering", or seems to view LGBTQ identity as exotic

  • Therapy that assumes certain goals, values, or beliefs are universal

  • Therapists who don’t fully understand the unique aspects of growing up as an LGBTQ person in the world

  • Therapists who assume everything in your life has to do with LGBTQ identity, or that all LGBTQ people are similar

You shouldn’t have to choose between an LGBTQ-affirmative therapist and evidence-based treatments that have proven track records, like cognitive behavioral therapy and integrative behavioral couple therapy.

LGBTQ individuals and couples deserve access to a therapy approach that works, with a therapist who gets it.

Gay woman showing pride and joy at LGBT march smiling with arm raised

Learn more about my services for LGBTQ individuals and couples:

Dr. Brett Marroquin, LGBTQ-affirmative therapist at Solid Ground CBT in West Los Angeles

Dr. Brett Marroquin, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Being LGBTQ-affirmative in therapy doesn't just mean being "ok" or "nonjudgmental" about LGBTQ identities. It means affirming the positivity, validity, and diversity of LGBTQ experiences, and recognizing the roles of homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination in our community's wellbeing and relationships.

An LGBTQ-affirmative approach doesn’t assume everything in therapy has to be about your LGBTQ identity. It does assume your experiences, fears, goals, and hopes are valid and important, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, or sexuality.

Just like my non-LGBTQ clients, many of my LGBTQ clients are primarily focused on anxiety or relationship issues in individual therapy, or on improving their close relationships in couples therapy.  In addition, LGBTQ individuals and couples often seek to address other concerns more specific to their identities (see below).

Common LGBTQ-Specific Concerns

  • Exploring identity and sexuality

  • Coming out (or not)

  • Stress and anxiety in social settings

  • Closeness and intimacy in relationships

  • Dating and sex

  • Confidence and self-esteem

  • Family issues

  • Navigating intersections of sexuality, gender, race, ethnicity, and religion

  • Feelings of shame, anger, fear, and hurt

  • Experiences of prejudice, discrimination, and hate

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Whatever your place on the LGBTQ spectrum (or off of it), you can rest assured that with me you will find a welcoming, caring, and validating environment.

Get started today.