The Brandywine Center has always welcomed clients of varying sexual orientations. We are not only “gay friendly” but practice Gay Affirmative Therapy.
Our approach to therapy is one that embraces a positive view of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) identities and relationships and addresses the negative influences that homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism have on the lives of our LGBTQ clients.
Gay affirmative psychotherapy takes the perspective that gay and straight people are absolute equals and that all individuals – regardless of race, gender and sexual orientation or preference – make valuable contributions to our world. While we have witnessed dramatic changes in our culture’s acceptance and valuing of LGBTQ individuals, we recognize that most of us have grown up in a homophobic world that was traumatic and invalidating in both overt and subtle ways. Taking in homophobic attitudes from family, school, and the world at large can have a negative impact on personal growth, development and relationships. The aftermath may include low self-esteem, social anxiety, depression, and difficulty with trust.
Our work together may help you unravel what’s often a complex mix of influences holding you back: negative relationship patterns you learned growing up, homophobic attitudes you encountered that still exert an invisible influence on your feelings about yourself, and a lack of role models for committed gay relationships in society. We welcome your questions and concerns about how we integrate traditional therapy practice with gay affirmative therapy.