Texas LGBTQ+ Counseling

At Luminary Counseling, PLLC, we are dedicated to providing LGBTQ+ affirming counseling to those who need it in the Austin area.

Our specialized therapists understand the specific challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face, including societal stigma and discrimination,  and strive to create a supportive environment for individuals to explore their identity, navigate relationship challenges, and address various mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and trauma.

We also understand the importance of confidentiality and privacy, and offer a safe, judgment-free space to help you navigate your personal challenges, no matter how complex.

Comprehensive LGBTQ+ Counseling Services

Our therapists have received specialized training in LGBTQ+ psychology and are committed to providing inclusive counseling services that help build greater self-efficacy and address your unique needs from an affirming vantage point. What this means is that we understand that sexuality and who we love in the world are inextricable parts of the whole human. 

If you're looking for counseling in Austin, Luminary Counseling offers support for a wide range of issues. We ensure that every client receives compassionate, understanding, and effective care tailored to their specific needs, including:

• Identity exploration. Exploring and understanding one's identity can be a complex and deeply personal journey. Our counselors are here to support individuals at any stage of this process, whether they are questioning their gender identity or sexual orientation, seeking to better understand themselves, or navigating the societal and personal implications of their identity.
• Coming out support. The decision to come out, whether about one's sexual orientation or gender identity, can be fraught with emotional challenges and fears about acceptance. Working with a therapist can help individuals prepare for and manage the reactions of family, friends, and colleagues, and we offer strategies to cope with any negative responses. Our goal is to empower clients to live authentically and confidently. 
• Family conflict. We all desire some form of belonging.  Sometimes this comes from one's family of origin and sometimes this happens through deepening connections with chosen family.  Securing a sense of belonging is crucial for many LGBTQ+ individuals. Our therapists are trained to mediate and facilitate discussions that help families navigate the conflicts that arise. We provide strategies for improving communication, setting healthy boundaries, and fostering mutual respect and understanding so that families can work toward reconciliation and stronger relationships. We are skilled at working together with you and your chosen family to build greater cohesion and peace. 
• Relationship counseling. LGBTQ+ relationships face unique pressures and societal challenges. Our therapists are skilled in addressing these issues and helping individuals and couples navigate conflicts, improve communication, and strengthen their bonds. Our counseling services are inclusive and respectful of all relationship structures, including monogamy, polyamory, and other forms of designer relationships. No matter the structure of your relationship, we apply relationship science to help navigate and restore connection and improve relational satisfaction. 
• Trauma therapy. Many LGBTQ+ individuals have experienced trauma, whether due to discrimination, bullying, or violence. Our trauma therapy services are designed to help clients heal from these experiences. We use evidence-based techniques to address symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and other trauma-related issues, providing a supportive environment where clients can process their experiences and work toward recovery.
• Religious trauma.  Religious trauma can be a significant barrier to mental and emotional well-being for many LGBTQ+ individuals. Affirming therapy provides a compassionate space to explore and heal from experiences of religious rejection or abuse. Counselors help clients reconcile their identities with their spiritual beliefs, fostering a sense of peace and acceptance while addressing the psychological impact of religious trauma.
• Anxiety and depression treatment. Anxiety and depression are common mental health concerns within the LGBTQ+ community, often exacerbated by societal stigma and discrimination. Our therapists are trained to recognize and address the specific factors that contribute to these conditions in LGBTQ+ individuals and offer a range of therapeutic approaches and evidence-based practices to help clients manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being.

We'll Help You Connect to Your Authentic Self

At Luminary Counseling, we're dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where our therapists, trained in LGBTQ+ psychology, use affirming approaches to support your journey toward self-discovery. We work with you to build resilience, develop effective coping skills, and reclaim your life. We also help you set healthy boundaries and manage your emotional responses in a way that honors your identity.

In addition to individual psychotherapy, we offer complimentary support groups on a variety of topics that provide a communal space for sharing experiences and gaining support from peers who understand your challenges. We recognize the importance of a supportive network and assist you in finding or creating chosen family networks—communities that offer the acceptance and support that may be lacking from biological family relationships.

By providing a safe and supportive space, our inclusive therapy empowers you to overcome societal and personal challenges, fostering greater mental health, self-acceptance, and overall well-being.

If you're looking for a therapist in Austin, we're here to help you live your most authentic life.

Take the First Step Towards Healing

If you or someone you know could benefit from our supportive, LGBTQ+ affirming counseling, contact Luminary Counseling for more information about our services.

You can schedule an initial consultation by calling us at 512-657-7744 or filling out our online contact form.

We offer same-week scheduling and sliding-fee options when available.

Rest assured, your confidentiality and privacy are our top priorities.

Client Testimonials

Our clients' experiences reflect our commitment to providing high-quality, affirming therapy in the Austin area. Please know that you will never be asked to provide a testimonial! Client testimonials place an undue burden onto the therapeutic relationship and can create an unethical situation. You are our top priority and can rest assured that we won’t ask you to market for us. 

Throughout our many years of supporting Texas LGBTQ+ folx, some of the things we have heard back from our clients include: 

• Luminary Counseling has been a safe haven for people who have been unseen in their LGBTQ+ identity at other practices. 
• The support and understanding received are unparalleled. “My therapist at Luminary was different and they really wanted to get to know all of me”
  
• Countless clients have shared the incompetencies they have faced when unpacking their identity with other practices. “Coming to Luminary has been a game changer. I feel free to express myself differently than ever before”
• Working with a therapist who has lived queer experiences was essential to growth and healing. Many of our therapists identify as LGBTQ+ and bring a unique vantage point to the work. 
• We have heard the horror stories of unsafe, unethical and down-right harmful therapy. Many of us clinicians have experienced this first-hand when attempting to do our own therapy over the years. We are committed to providing a reparative experience for our beloved LGBTQ+ community. You’re not alone. Let us show you the difference an affirming practice can make