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LGBT THERAPY LOS ANGELES| WEst HOLLYWOOD
Oliver Drakeford Therapy is an LGBTQ+-owned business, located in the heart of West Hollywood, Los Angeles. I ensure everyone on my team has LGBTQ+ Affirmative training to ensure my practice is a brave and safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ looking for mental health services.
AFFIRMATIVE LGBT THERAPY WITH OLIVER DRAKEFORd, LMFT, CGP
Welcome! I'm Oliver Drakeford, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, dedicated to providing LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy.
As a graduate of Antioch University's LGBTQ+ Specialization—the first graduate program in the nation to specifically address LGBTQ+ mental health—and as the former facilitator of gay men's groups at The Maple Counseling Center and the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center, I bring a deep and personal understanding of the unique challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face. My therapeutic approach recognizes how societal pressures, stigma, and internalized messages can intensify mental health concerns in our community.
Whether meeting in my West Hollywood office or virtually across California, my goal is to offer a supportive, inclusive, and affirming space where you can safely explore and heal, fostering authentic connections with yourself and your loved ones
What IT MEANS TO PROVIDE AFFIRMATIVE LGBTQ+ TherAPY IN LOS ANGELES
As an LGBTQ-affirmative therapist in Los Angeles, my practice centers around providing a supportive, validating, and informed environment for individuals within the LGBTQ+ community.
Here are some of the more essential aspects that define my affirmative approach:
Affirmation of Identity:
At the heart of my practice is the recognition and celebration of your sexual orientation and gender identity as natural, healthy, and essential components of who you are. My goal is to create a safe, judgment-free space where you can openly explore your feelings, experiences, and identity, knowing you're fully accepted and understood.
Awareness of Societal Challenges:
I deeply understand the systemic challenges, discrimination, and stigma that LGBTQ+ individuals frequently face. My therapeutic approach integrates this awareness, allowing me to address how societal factors impact your mental health, relationships, and overall well-being, providing you with support tailored to your lived experiences.
Empowerment:
Affirmative therapy empowers you to embrace your identity confidently, fostering resilience and self-advocacy. Together, we work toward helping you navigate adversity, build emotional strength, and advocate effectively for your own needs and well-being in various aspects of your life. This is exceptionally important given the impact of minority stress on mental health.
Cultural Competence:
My background includes specialized training in LGBTQ-specific issues, such as minority stress, internalized stigma, and the complexities of coming out. I continually educate myself on the evolving cultural nuances, terminology, and best practices, ensuring that my therapy remains relevant, informed, and deeply responsive to your unique experiences as an LGBTQ+ individual.
Holistic Support:
I utilize evidence-based therapeutic methods, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), tailored specifically to address the unique needs of LGBTQ+ clients. Whether you're dealing with depression, anxiety, substance use concerns, family acceptance, or relationship issues, my approach integrates practical strategies with sensitive cultural understanding to provide comprehensive, effective support.
WHAT SERVICES AND HELP LGBT THERAPY PROVIDES for the LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
Depression Therapy:
My approach to depression therapy is holistic, addressing the emotional, mental, and physical aspects of your well-being. For LGBTQ+ clients, understanding the unique stressors such as minority stress and societal stigma is key and research shows us that our community is more likely to struggle with depression. Find out more about my approach to depression therapy here.
Together, we'll explore the underlying causes of your depression, identify negative thought patterns, and develop personalized strategies to help you rediscover joy and purpose. If you're experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
Anxiety Therapy:
I provide integrative anxiety therapy tailored specifically to LGBTQ+ individuals. Therapy involves more than just talking—it's about equipping you with effective tools, coping strategies, and lifestyle recommendations that reduce anxiety symptoms. By creating an affirming and supportive space, we can identify triggers, dismantle anxious patterns, and build emotional resilience to manage anxiety long-term.
I love helping people with anxiety - find out more about anxiety therapy here.
LGBTQ+ Couples Therapy:
My couples therapy sessions offer LGBTQ+ partners a safe, affirming environment to address relationship challenges and improve intimacy and communication. We'll explore relationship dynamics, navigate conflicts with respect and understanding, and develop practical skills to strengthen your bond.
My goal in LGBTQ+ couples therapy is to help partner in building healthy, fulfilling partnerships that honor their identities and experiences.
LGBTQ+ Family Therapy:
I provide inclusive, affirming family therapy aimed at addressing family dynamics and improving relationships within LGBTQ+ households. S
essions focus on enhancing understanding, communication, and support among family members. By recognizing unique family structures and addressing issues such as acceptance, identity exploration, and boundary-setting, we work collaboratively toward healthier family relationships.
I've worked my entire career with families, and absolutely love family therapy.
Addiction Therapy:
My approach to addiction therapy is compassionate, non-judgmental, and LGBTQ+ affirmative. We’ll address the underlying emotional and psychological factors contributing to addiction, offering you effective coping mechanisms and support strategies.
The aim is to help you develop resilience, manage cravings, and achieve sustained recovery in an environment that respects and affirms your identity.
ADHD Therapy:
I provide specialized therapy to help individuals manage ADHD symptoms effectively. Recognizing how ADHD uniquely impacts LGBTQ+ lives, I combine behavioral techniques, organizational strategies, and supportive counseling to enhance focus, emotional regulation, and overall life satisfaction.
By integrating personalized approaches with my general approach to ADHD Therapy, we'll collaboratively develop a plan to navigate daily challenges and harness your strengths.
LGBT THERAPY NEAR YOU: LOS ANGELES | WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA
LGBTQ+ THERAPISTS.
Oliver Drakeford Therapy provides LGBTQ+ Therapy in-person at 8702 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA, 90069, and virtually online to residents of California.
To get started with me, please book a free 15 minute consultation call with me, you can ask me all the questions you want and see if you think I can help. I'll also be able to give you other names of people to call and resources you might need and if we both agree, then we'll set up your first session.
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