Why did no one mention how hard this would be?

Most couples experience significant distress in their relationships in the 3 years after becoming parents. As an LGBTQ identified parent, you've got all the considerable stresses of parenting, and an added layer of homophobia and heterosexism thrown in.

Even if you were completely comfortable with your identity before you had a child, you may be thrown off balance by the challenges of being an LGBTQ parent. These new challenges can affect your self-esteem or cause anxiety. You may feel that you've got to be the perfect parent in order to just be seen as a good enough parent by other people.

You don't need to feel alone if this is happening for you.

I help LGBTQ identified parents with:

• Relationship issues
• Self-esteem
• Blended family dynamics
• Parenting tools and strategies
• Issues for non-biological parents
• Deciding what route to take to form a family
• Grandparents and other extended family
• What to do when parents disagree
• Talking to your child about your family structure

You need a therapist who will respect you and validate you as a parent. You don't want to educate your therapist about the way you formed your family or the legal limitations your family faces.

I love helping LGBTQ parents gain more self-confidence and feel more resilient in the face of the stress they face.

Read Annie's article Finding Confidence as an LGBTQ Parent
Information for Same Sex Couples
Information for Parents