You deserve a therapist that “gets it.”

Affirming Therapy for Marginalized Communities

Divergent Neurotypes

Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy honors individuals' unique ways of experiencing the world. Rather than focusing on diagnosing or "fixing" perceived deficits, this approach emphasizes strengths, diverse cognitive and sensory styles, and the importance of creating environments where individuals feel understood and empowered.

Neurodivergence is a natural part of human diversity, and therapy becomes a collaborative process aimed at enhancing well-being and self-advocacy, not conformity to neurotypical standards.

Overall, neurodivergent affirming therapy is about celebrating neurodiversity, challenging ableism, and creating an empowering space where individuals can thrive in their unique neurological wiring.

LGBTQ+ Community

Queer-Affirming Therapy supports and validates the identities and experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals. It focuses on creating a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore and embrace their identity and expression without fear of judgment, discrimination, or expectation to conform to stereotypes. Clients can explore their sexuality, gender, relationship styles withing a safe, empowering environment.

Gender transition can be a difficult process to navigate, as there remain several barriers for people pursuing social, legal, and medical transition. A queer-affirming therapist can help clients advocate for themselves during this process and connect them to external supportive resources as needed.

Chronic Illness + Disability

Disability Affirming Therapy is a client-centered approach that acknowledges and celebrates the unique experiences of individuals with disabilities.

The focus is on empowering clients to embrace their identities, navigate challenges, and build resilience while promoting self-acceptance and autonomy. In a disability-affirming space, therapists prioritize accessibility, validate clients' lived experiences, and provide support in areas such as self-esteem, navigating societal barriers, and managing mental health in the context of disability.

The goal is to create an inclusive, respectful environment where individuals feel seen, understood, and empowered to live fully and authentically.

We understand the experiences of neurodivergent, queer/trans, and disabled individuals.

Every aspect of Fathom is created by members of the communities we serve.

More About Counseling

Counseling is a collaborative process between a trained clinician and an individual looking to explore their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and experiences. The goal of therapy is to help you better understand yourself, develop coping skills that match your values, and support you through any emotional or mental health challenges you may be facing—such as anxiety, depression, stress, or relationship difficulties.

Ultimately, you decide your goals for therapy and if it’s working for you.

Counseling is not about giving advice or telling you what to do. Instead, it’s about guiding you through your own discoveries, offering insights, and providing support as you make positive changes in your life.

You can start and stop counseling at any time. Comparable to a fitness routine, you might see more dramatic change if you are able to dedicate more time and energy to the process, but there’s no set program to get specific results.

The Process

The therapy process begins with an initial session where you’ll discuss your reasons for seeking therapy, your goals, and your personal history. This is a time for you to ask questions and decide if the therapist's approach feels like a good fit for you. From there, you’ll work together to create a plan that’s tailored to your unique needs.

In ongoing sessions, you'll have the opportunity to explore what's on your mind, talk about challenges you're facing, and work through any difficult emotions. Your therapist will guide the process, offering new perspectives, coping strategies, and tools to help you move forward. Therapy may last anywhere from a few sessions to months, depending on your goals and progress.

Throughout the process, therapy remains a safe, confidential space where you can be open and honest without judgment, empowering you to gain clarity, heal, and grow.

Intersectionality

Affirming therapy always recognizes the impact of other identities (race, class, gender, etc.) on mental health. This is called “intersectionality” and it’s a crucial part of understanding someone in their specific context. Each of these identities contributes to their unique experiences, challenges, and advantages in life. Only by recognizing and integrating the reality of overlapping identities can therapists best support their client’s pursuit of personal agency, growth and change.

Again, this approach is non-pathologizing. This means we don’t treat people as "disordered" or "abnormal" based on their identity, experiences, or behaviors that deviate from societal norms. This approach challenges the traditional medical model of mental health, which can be limiting and stigmatizing, by recognizing that distress and psychological difficulties often stem from a combination of personal, social, and cultural factors.

In the context of therapy, a non-pathologizing approach involves:

  1. Respect for diversity: Acknowledging and valuing differences in identity, beliefs, and experiences, and understanding that there is no single "normal" or "ideal" way of being.

  2. Contextual understanding: Recognizing the impact of societal factors, such as discrimination, marginalization, and trauma, on an individual's mental health and well-being.

  3. Collaborative exploration: Working together with clients to understand their unique experiences and challenges, without imposing pre-determined diagnoses or labels.

  4. Empowerment and self-acceptance: Focusing on clients' strengths and resilience, and promoting self-acceptance, personal growth, and self-determination.