Navigating the world as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community comes with unique challenges. Some are external, some deeply personal. From facing discrimination and isolation to managing family rejection or internalized shame, the stress of simply being yourself in an often unwelcoming world can take a toll on your mental health.

At Summer Counseling in Oakdale, Minnesota, we provide inclusive LGBTQIA+ therapy designed to support, affirm, and uplift individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Whether you're exploring your identity, coping with relationship stress, transitioning, or healing from trauma, therapy with a compassionate, experienced LGBTQIA+ counselor can be a powerful tool for growth, clarity, and emotional resilience.

Can LGBTQIA+ Therapy Help You?

Living outside of traditional gender or sexuality norms can be empowering. But it can also bring pain when met with misunderstanding, prejudice, or invalidation. Many LGBTQIA+ individuals come to therapy at our Oakdale practice after negative experiences with providers who lacked cultural competence or inadvertently caused harm.

You might benefit from LGBTQIA+ therapy if you:

· Have struggled with coming out to family or friends

· Face workplace discrimination or social exclusion

· Experience anxiety, depression, or trauma related to your identity

· Need an LGBTQIA+ therapist who understands the nuances of transition or non-traditional relationships

· Want to feel fully seen, respected, and understood in therapy

We welcome you just as you are. Whoever you love, however you identify, you belong here.

Issues We Help You Walk Through

Our licensed therapists are trained and experienced in addressing a wide range of issues that intersect with LGBTQIA+ experiences. These include:

· Gender identity exploration and affirmation

· Coming out support

· Depression and anxiety

· Relationship and family conflict

· Transition support and HRT referral letters

· Trauma and PTSD

· Minority stress and internalized stigma

· Personality disorders and neurodivergence

· Self-esteem and body image concerns

· Polyamory and non-monogamy dynamics

Support During Gender Transition

If you're considering or actively pursuing gender transition, we can also support you through the emotional, psychological, and practical aspects of your journey. Our team of LGBTQIA+ therapists are is experienced in working with those undergoing Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and will collaborate with you to ensure you feel supported, affirmed, and informed throughout the process.

Family and Parenting Therapy

We also offer family therapy and parenting support for those raising LGBTQIA+ children. These sessions provide a space for parents and caregivers to ask questions, explore their feelings, and gain tools to better support their child’s identity and well-being. Our goal is to help families build stronger connections rooted in understanding, respect, and love.

A Safe, Affirming Space for Growth and Healing

At Summer Counseling, we understand how crucial it is for LGBTQIA+ individuals in Oakdale to feel safe, affirmed, and celebrated in therapy. Our team prioritizes inclusivity, cultural competence, and continued education in LGBTQIA+ mental health. We’re not just “friendly.” We are fully affirming, with a deep respect for your lived experience and identity.

Our LGBTQIA+ therapists don’t make assumptions. Instead, we listen, learn, and collaborate with you to create a therapeutic experience that reflects your values, supports your goals, and honors your truth. Whether you're seeking in-person LGBTQIA+ therapy sessions in Oakdale or prefer the privacy of virtual therapy, we’re here to walk beside you.

Discover the Transformative Power of Therapy

No matter where you are in your journey, it is important to find an LGBTQIA+ therapist who can support you in your journey and give you a safe place to process your identity. If you or someone you know is seeking LGBTQIA+ therapy in Oakdale, MN, contact Emily Patrick, Kathryn Hector, Mallaigh McGinley, or Morgan McGinnis at Summer Counseling. Our commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and ongoing learning sets us apart as a wellspring of support for the LGBTQIA+ community.