Gay Therapist DC: Gay Psychologist & LGBTQ+ Specialist in Washington, DC

Gay Therapist DC: LGBTQ+ Counseling In Dupont Circle, Washington, DC

A photo with two men's hands with wedding rings on. This is to symbolize pride in gay marriage for the section of Dr. Heilman's website entitled Gay Therapist DCGay Therapist DC: As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I have dedicated my training, research, and clinical work to helping those within the LGBTQ+ community find pride, belonging, fulfillment, and a strong sense of confidence in who they are. Navigating life as an LGBTQ+ individual can come with unique challenges, including identity exploration, societal pressures, family dynamics, and relationship complexities. My goal is to provide a safe, affirming space where you can explore your experiences without fear of judgment.

Do you need a therapist experienced in helping with LGBTQ+ issues, relationships, parenting, or family concerns? I specialize in:

  • Same-sex marriage and divorce
  • Sexuality and gender identity
  • Monogamous, “monogamish” and non-monogamous relationships
  • Lesbian, gay, transgender and polyamorous relationship counseling
  • LGBTQ+ families, parenting, and fertility/adoption concerns
  • Bisexuality and bisexual spouse issues
  • The Coming Out process (to self, parents, or others)
  • LGBTQ+ bias and discrimination

Whether you’re seeking support for personal growth, relationship challenges, or navigating life’s transitions, I offer a compassionate and knowledgeable approach tailored to your unique needs.

Gay Therapist DC: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, + (LGBTQ+) Affirmative Therapy

Gay Therapist DC section of Dr. Heilman's website that shows two men lovingly holding hands together.Gay Therapist DC: Society has thankfully undergone a fundamental transformation in the way it views the communities named under the LGBTQ+ acronym. However, in addition to overt aggression towards LGBTQ+ individuals, more covert negative stereotypes of LGBTQ+ individuals persist. These stereotypes are harmful to the physical and mental health of LGBTQ+ people and result in increased rates of depression, anxiety, long-term relationship challenges, sexual dissatisfaction, substance abuse, loneliness and isolation, and lowered self-esteem for these communities.

Over time, LGBTQ+ individuals understandably can take in negative societal attitudes about themselves, and direct them towards a hatred of who they are. To develop a healthy sense-of-self, recent research has shown that LGBTQ+ individuals must battle against conscious and unconscious processes of self-devaluation.

LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy can help work through what societally-placed internalized beliefs might be getting in the way of your leading the fullest life possible.

Gay Therapist DC: Gay Parenting and Family Challenges

Gay Therapist DC section of Dr. Heilman's website that shows a lesbian couple hugging one another.Gay Therapist DC: Are you dealing with family and/or parenting issues? Many gay and lesbian couples have biological or adopted children. Family issues can be highly stressful and cause many challenges for gay families and relationships. Regardless if one of you is the birth or biological parent or one or both of you are adoptive parents, families struggle with many issues, such as:

  • Feelings of jealousy about attention your partner gives to the children
  • Fighting about discipline or parenting issues and parenting styles
  • Blended and step-family issues
  • Single mom or dad households
  • Inter-racial couple issues
  • Overwhelmed by responsibilities and finding little time for yourself and/or your relationship
  • Navigating non-monogamy in your relationship
  • Help with parenting issues, adolescent and teenage issues
  • Support and help for yourself, partner or child dealing with illness, mental health issues and more

In therapy, you can learn how to resolve conflict, improve communication and become more aware of the destructive and hurtful patterns you might be engaging in. Whether you are fighting with your significant other/s about sex, money, children, insecurity, affairs or jealousy, therapy can help. Counseling can also help if you are trying to end or cope with a difficult relationship.