There is a difference between a therapist who is accepting and a therapist who actually knows your world. With the first, you might still find yourself explaining terms, softening your story, or watching for their reaction. With the second, you just talk.
As someone who is part of the queer community, I know the culture, the language, the relationships, and the particular ways the world can make you feel like too much or not enough. You don’t have to translate yourself here, you just have to show up.
I see LGBTQ+ adults and couples by telehealth anywhere in California, from Los Angeles and Long Beach to San Diego, Palm Springs, and the Bay Area.
LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy in California
There’s No Right Way to Be Queer —
Some of the people I work with have been out their whole lives. Some came out later. Some are questioning and aren't ready to put a name on anything, and that's welcome too.
Some want to talk about LGBTQ+ topics directly: identity, coming out, dating, community, what it means to build a life that fits. Others come in for something that has nothing to do with being queer. They just want a therapist who won’t make their identity a side project.
Some have families who were never accepting, or grew up in a religion that made them feel wrong for existing. Others have close, loving families and are working on something else entirely. Your story doesn’t have to look a certain way to belong here.
What We Work On —
I work with the challenges people face regardless of sexuality or gender. Anxiety. OCD. ADHD. Trauma. Perfectionism. Relationship patterns that keep repeating even after years of insight.
I also work with the things that often come with being queer in a world that wasn’t built for us. Family of origin wounds. Religious trauma and figuring out what spirituality means to you now. Shame that shows up long after you thought you were past it. Dating, disclosure, and finding real connection.
My approach is direct and warm. I draw from attachment-based and somatic approaches, Internal Family Systems (parts work), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and cognitive and behavioral tools, including CBT for OCD. I use what fits you. Learn more about individual therapy.
Gender-Affirming Care —
I work with trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive teens and adults on whatever brings them in, whether that’s gender or anything else in their lives.
I also write letters of support for gender-affirming medical care, such as hormones and surgery. I see these letters as part of supporting you, not as a gate to get through.
LGBTQ+ Couples Therapy —
I work with queer couples using Emotionally Focused Therapy and the Gottman Method. That includes couples navigating different stages of being out, a partner’s transition, family acceptance that isn’t shared, or simply wanting to feel closer. See couples therapy for more.
A Safe Person to Talk to About Sex —
I genuinely love talking about sexuality. It’s one of my favorite parts of this work.
Most people have never had a conversation about sex that wasn’t loaded with shame or someone else’s rules. So it makes sense that so many of us reach adulthood with a complicated relationship to our bodies and our desires, and not much language for any of it.
I studied human sexuality in both undergraduate and graduate school and have kept reading ever since. I work with queer sexuality, kink, and non-monogamy, and with straight women who want to feel more at home in their desire. You can bring any of it here without worrying about my reaction.
I believe people deserve pleasure, whatever they’ve been told about what they or their bodies deserve.
If your relationship is open, polyamorous, or otherwise non-monogamous, see my page on ENM-affirming therapy.
The Details —
Individual sessions are $250. Couples and partner sessions are $325. Sessions are 50 minutes and held via telehealth throughout California.
I do not accept insurance. I am happy to provide a superbill for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
I offer a free 15-minute consultation to get a sense of fit before we begin. Both partners are welcome on that call.
About Me
I’m Amanda Jablon, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW #82020) with a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California and eleven years in private practice. I’m listed as a Kink Aware Professional through the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, and I supervise associate therapists in California. Read more about me.
-
I’m queer myself and part of the LGBTQ+ community. That’s different from being LGBTQ+ friendly, and for a lot of my clients it’s the reason they reached out.
-
No. Plenty of my clients come in for anxiety, OCD, trauma, or relationships and rarely talk about identity. They just want a therapist who already gets it.
-
Yes. You don’t need a label to start therapy, and you don't need to leave with one.
-
Yes. I write letters of support for gender-affirming medical care, including hormones and surgery, for adults in California.
-
Yes. I'm sex-positive and a listed Kink Aware Professional, and I work with people across sexualities and relationship structures, including straight clients.
-
Yes. I work with LGBTQ+ couples using Emotionally Focused Therapy and the Gottman Method.
-
I'm a good fit if you're ready to do real work and can commit to weekly sessions. I'm not the right fit if you're in an acute crisis and need a higher level of care. If that's where you are, I'll help you find the right support.
-
Yes. All my sessions are telehealth, so I can see you anywhere in California.
-
No. I'm a private pay practice and don't bill insurance directly. I provide superbills for possible out-of-network reimbursement.