For queer and gender-expansive folx, it is an ever-present fact that, here in Tennessee, we are in the buckle of the Bible belt. While not all religion is inherently harmful, it is often twisted and used as a means to control, shame, and attack any deviation from cis/hetero “norms”— and of course, LGBTQ+ rights continue to be politicized and assaulted in this part of the country.

At The Gaia Center, our team stands unequivicolly with our queer and trans + gender-diverse siblings and cousins.

Therapy that doesn’t affirm and celebrate diverse sexual orientation and gender identity + expression is doing harm— FULL STOP.

While we can’t promise a “safe space” since safety is different for everyone and the broader culture that is UNsafe for many queer folx, we do promise to create a “brave space” (hat tip to Micky ScottBey Jones) and to advocate in every way we can for the dignity and rights of our LGBTQ+ clients.

We would love to support you.

The Gaia Center prioritizes ongoing training for our team in order to better serve LGBTQ+ and other marginalized groups, and all our clinicians align with this piece of our mission. We will gladly share our own identities and our therapists will never claim to fully understand a lived experience they can only learn about.

While we’re always working on expanding our expertise, we have experience working with clients who are:

  • not necessarily struggling with anything related to gender identity or sexual orientation, but want to know they are with a therapist who is a safe person (i.e. pro-informed consent model, anti-conversion therapy)

  • exploring gender identity

  • exploring sexual orientation, including the asexuality spectrum

  • dealing with challenges from family or culture related to not “conforming” to others’ expectations

  • struggling with gender dysphoria

  • navigating gender transition

  • navigating non-traditional relationship structures

  • part of the Kink community

YOU are the expert in you— and we’d be honored to support you. Fill out our contact form or click the button below to connect with us.