Providing a Safe & Supportive Space for All

At Louis Laves-Webb, LCSW, LPC-S & Associates, we are proud to offer LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy in Austin, Texas. Our practice is committed to creating an inclusive, non-judgmental environment where individuals of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions feel seen, heard, and supported. We believe in the power of therapy to provide healing, growth, and understanding, and we are dedicated to serving the diverse needs of the LGBTQIA+ community with compassion, empathy, and respect for their mental health.

Understanding LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy

LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy is an approach that actively acknowledges, supports, and celebrates the unique experiences of LGBTQIA+ community members. It goes beyond mere tolerance and acceptance, emphasizing validation and empowerment in addressing the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ people. Our therapists are trained to understand the complexities of identity, relationships, and mental health as they relate to the LGBTQIA+ experience. We are here to help you navigate life's challenges, embrace your authentic self, and cultivate a fulfilling, meaningful life.

We're Here To Help

Counseling On Your Schedule

Starting As Low As $100 Per Session!
Please let us know if you would like to see a specific counselor.
Disclaimer: By submitting this form you agree to the collection of your personal data pursuant to our privacy policy.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Experience badge

Experienced

Our therapists have the education, training, and experience necessary to provide authentic and effective therapy. We continuously learn and train to ensure we can provide the best care possible for you.

Passion icon

Passionate

Your mental health is essential, and our therapists will do everything in their power to guide you on your journey towards wellness. We love helping our clients identify and achieve their mental health goals, while being there every step of the way.

Affordability icon

Affordable

We firmly believe mental health services and therapy should be accessible to everyone. That's why we proudly offer fair rates, a sliding scale, and help guide you through insurance hurdles.

Confidentiality Guaranteed

Your privacy is a priority, and all services are compliant with Texas state law.

Common Issues Addressed in LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy

While every individual's experience is unique, LGBTQIA+ individuals often face specific challenges that can impact their mental health and well-being. Our therapists are equipped to help clients navigate these issues, which may include:

Phase 1: History Taking

Before beginning EMDR, your trauma therapist will get to know more about your experiences and symptoms. This step is for you to share about events in your past that may be affecting your current mindset.

Phase 2: Preparation

This stage is about ensuring your readiness for EMDR. Even though EMDR therapy for trauma is completely safe, it can be problematic for individuals who commonly experience dissociation. As a safeguard, your trauma therapist will work with you to create your own “calm place” to concentrate on if you feel distressed.

Phase 3: Assessment

It’s now time to choose a target to be reprocessed during your next few sessions. In doing so, you’ll need to identify a vivid image related to the memory, a negative cognition about yourself associated with it, and emotions and bodily sensations that accompany both. Your therapist will then have you challenge that negative cognition with a cognitive one. They will have you rate how true your positive cognition feels and how much distress the target memory causes you on a scale from 1-10.

Phase 4: Desensitization

This is where Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing comes into play. When you feel ready, your therapist will guide you to process your negative feelings and memories using bilateral eye movements to facilitate the brain’s healing process. This will help to ground you and take more directed focus on the thoughts, feelings, and images associated with your target. Every minute or so, your therapist will check in on what you’ve noticed and ask you to rate how much discomfort you’re now feeling. When you no longer report distress related to your targeted memory, you move onto the next step.

Phase 5: Installation

Next, your attention will be brought back to the positive cognition you identified earlier. Your trauma/PTSD therapist will recheck how true this belief now feels. The goal is to get this belief to feel like it’s 100 percent true.

Phase 6: Body Scan

You will now be asked to check your body for any areas of tension in your body caused by the target memory. Are your teeth clenched? Is your chest tight? Any uncomfortable physical sensations will be reprocessed using the same procedure as before until you can think of the target memory without feeling any tension.

Phase 7: Closure

At the end of every session, your trauma counselor will make sure that you are leaving feeling more relaxed than when you arrived. If you are feeling agitated, they will lead you through self-calming techniques until you regain your sense of control.

Phase 8: Reevaluation

At the beginning of each subsequent session, your therapist will ask you questions to ensure your positive beliefs have been maintained. This will also help them to identify any new problem areas that may need to be targeted.

EMDR therapy for trauma is considered a success once you are able to bring up memories of trauma without feeling the distress that brought you to therapy. Your trauma therapist will also provide you with the techniques and skills you need going forward to deal with upsetting feelings.

Identity Exploration and Acceptance

Coming to terms with one's sexual orientation or gender identity can be a complex journey, often involving self-reflection, questioning, and, at times, self-doubt. Our therapists provide a supportive, affirming space to explore your identity, helping you embrace who you are without fear or judgment.

Coming Out and Disclosure

The decision to come out to friends, family, or coworkers can be both empowering and anxiety-provoking. Our therapists offer guidance and support as you navigate this process, helping you make decisions that are right for you and your safety.

Relationship and Family Dynamics

LGBTQIA+ individuals may encounter unique challenges in relationships, whether navigating same-sex partnerships, mixed-orientation relationships, or family acceptance and understanding. Our therapists work with individuals, couples, and families to foster open communication, strengthen connections, and build supportive, healthy relationships.

Minority Stress and Discrimination

Experiencing discrimination, prejudice, or microaggressions due to sexual orientation or gender identity can lead to significant stress and anxiety. We understand the impact of minority stress and provide a safe space to process these experiences, build resilience, and develop coping strategies.

Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, and General Mental Health Concerns

LGBTQIA+ community members may be more susceptible to mental health challenges, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma, due to societal stigma, rejection, or past negative experiences. Our therapists are trained in evidence-based approaches to help clients manage these conditions and find pathways to healing.

Navigating LGBTQIA+ Identity in Cultural or Religious Contexts

Navigating LGBTQIA+ identity in cultural or religious contexts can present unique challenges and conflicts. Our therapists are sensitive to the intersectionality of identity, culture, and spirituality, providing support for clients who may be grappling with reconciling these important aspects of their lives.

Affirmative Gender Identity Therapy

Navigating gender identity can be a deeply personal and complex journey, especially for transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals. The process may involve exploring one's gender identity, understanding and addressing gender dysphoria, considering transitioning options, and seeking gender-affirming care. At Louis Laves-Webb, LCSW, LPC-S & Associates, we recognize the unique emotional, psychological, and social challenges that come with this journey, and we are committed to providing compassionate, informed, and gender-affirming support for those exploring gender identities.

Understanding and Addressing Gender Dysphoria

Gender dysphoria refers to the distress or discomfort experienced when an individual’s gender identity does not align with the sex assigned at birth. This discomfort can manifest in various ways, including anxiety, depression, body image issues, and self-acceptance issues. Our therapists are skilled in helping individuals understand and manage these complex feelings, providing a safe and validating space to explore their experiences. Through affirming therapy, clients can process their emotions, develop coping strategies, and build resilience to navigate the challenges of gender dysphoria.

Exploring Transitioning Options

For many transgender and non-binary individuals, transitioning is an important step toward aligning their external appearance and presentation with their true gender identity. Transitioning can involve a range of steps, including social, medical, and legal transitions. Each person’s journey is unique, and there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach. Our therapists provide a non-judgemental and supportive environment where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings about transitioning, consider their options, and make decisions that are right for them. This may include discussions about coming out, navigating family dynamics, changing names or pronouns, seeking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or exploring surgical options.

Providing Gender-Affirming Care

At Louis Laves-Webb, LCSW, LPC-S & Associates, we believe in the importance of gender-affirming care, which recognizes and respects each individual's self-identified gender. Our approach is client-centered and trauma-informed, ensuring that each person's unique experiences and needs are honored. Our therapists are committed to creating a space where clients feel safe to express their gender identities without fear of judgment or discrimination. We provide emotional support, guidance, and resources for those pursuing gender-affirming medical care and can help clients navigate any challenges that may arise during this process.

Phase 1: History Taking

Before beginning EMDR, your trauma therapist will get to know more about your experiences and symptoms. This step is for you to share about events in your past that may be affecting your current mindset.

Phase 2: Preparation

This stage is about ensuring your readiness for EMDR. Even though EMDR therapy for trauma is completely safe, it can be problematic for individuals who commonly experience dissociation. As a safeguard, your trauma therapist will work with you to create your own “calm place” to concentrate on if you feel distressed.

Phase 3: Assessment

It’s now time to choose a target to be reprocessed during your next few sessions. In doing so, you’ll need to identify a vivid image related to the memory, a negative cognition about yourself associated with it, and emotions and bodily sensations that accompany both. Your therapist will then have you challenge that negative cognition with a cognitive one. They will have you rate how true your positive cognition feels and how much distress the target memory causes you on a scale from 1-10.

Phase 4: Desensitization

This is where Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing comes into play. When you feel ready, your therapist will guide you to process your negative feelings and memories using bilateral eye movements to facilitate the brain’s healing process. This will help to ground you and take more directed focus on the thoughts, feelings, and images associated with your target. Every minute or so, your therapist will check in on what you’ve noticed and ask you to rate how much discomfort you’re now feeling. When you no longer report distress related to your targeted memory, you move onto the next step.

Phase 5: Installation

Next, your attention will be brought back to the positive cognition you identified earlier. Your trauma/PTSD therapist will recheck how true this belief now feels. The goal is to get this belief to feel like it’s 100 percent true.

Phase 6: Body Scan

You will now be asked to check your body for any areas of tension in your body caused by the target memory. Are your teeth clenched? Is your chest tight? Any uncomfortable physical sensations will be reprocessed using the same procedure as before until you can think of the target memory without feeling any tension.

Phase 7: Closure

At the end of every session, your trauma counselor will make sure that you are leaving feeling more relaxed than when you arrived. If you are feeling agitated, they will lead you through self-calming techniques until you regain your sense of control.

Phase 8: Reevaluation

At the beginning of each subsequent session, your therapist will ask you questions to ensure your positive beliefs have been maintained. This will also help them to identify any new problem areas that may need to be targeted.

EMDR therapy for trauma is considered a success once you are able to bring up memories of trauma without feeling the distress that brought you to therapy. Your trauma therapist will also provide you with the techniques and skills you need going forward to deal with upsetting feelings.

Our Approach to LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy

At Louis Laves-Webb, LCSW, LPC-S & Associates, we are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and affirming therapeutic environment where LGBTQIA+ people can explore their identities, experiences, and challenges without fear of judgment or discrimination. We take a client-centered approach, tailoring our therapeutic methods to meet each client's unique needs, goals, and preferences. We aim to empower our clients by fostering self-awareness, resilience, authenticity, and self-compassion. We recognize the importance of understanding the intersectionality of each client's identity, taking into account their cultural, social, and personal context.

Our therapists are dedicated to providing affirmative care that honors and celebrates each client's gender identity, sexual orientation, and unique life experiences. We incorporate a range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities, each thoughtfully selected to address specific concerns and promote healing, growth, and well-being.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a widely used, evidence-based approach that focuses on helping clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs that may be contributing to anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues. For LGBTQIA+ clients, CBT can be especially helpful in addressing internalized homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and societal stigma. Through CBT, clients learn to reframe unhelpful thoughts, develop healthier perspectives, and build effective coping strategies to navigate life's challenges with greater confidence and resilience.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a highly effective modality for couples and individuals that focuses on building secure emotional bonds and enhancing communication. For LGBTQIA+ couples, EFT helps navigate the unique dynamics that may arise within their relationships, such as managing external stressors, negotiating boundaries, or fostering intimacy. Our affirming therapists use EFT to help clients express their emotions openly, understand each other's needs, and create a strong foundation of trust and support within their relationships.

Imago Relationship Therapy

Imago Relationship Therapy is a transformative approach that encourages couples to explore and heal the unconscious wounds that influence their relationship dynamics. It fosters empathy, understanding, and connection by guiding partners through structured dialogues that promote deep listening and compassionate communication during relationship issues. For LGBTQIA+ couples, Imago Therapy provides a safe space to explore their unique experiences and strengthen their emotional bond. It is especially effective in helping partners understand each other's perspectives, resolve conflicts, and build a conscious, loving relationship.

Trauma-Informed Therapy

We recognize that LGBTQIA+ people may face unique traumas related to discrimination, rejection, or identity-based violence. Trauma-informed therapy is a compassionate approach that prioritizes safety, trustworthiness, and empowerment. Our affirming therapists are trained to provide trauma-sensitive care that acknowledges the impact of past traumas on mental health and relationships. Through trauma-informed therapy, clients are supported in processing and healing from these experiences, developing resilience, and building a sense of empowerment and self-worth.

Mindfulness-Based Approaches

Mindfulness-based therapies encourage clients to cultivate a non-judgmental awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in the present moment. For LGBTQIA+ clients, mindfulness can be a powerful tool for promoting self-acceptance, emotional regulation, and inner peace. By incorporating mindfulness techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and grounding exercises, our therapists help clients reduce anxiety, manage stress, and build a stronger connection to themselves and their authentic identities.

Online Therapy for LGBTQIA+ Individuals

At Louis Laves-Webb, LCSW, LPC-S & Associates, we understand that accessibility and convenience are crucial when it comes to mental health care. For many LGBTQIA+ individuals, accessing affirming therapy can sometimes be challenging due to geographical limitations, scheduling conflicts, or privacy concerns. To better serve our clients, we offer online therapy as a flexible and accessible option that allows individuals to receive the support they need from the comfort and safety of their own home. With our online therapy, you can speak to the same affirming therapists who are at our offices every day.

Creating a Safe, Affirming, and Supportive Environment

Our approach to LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy is rooted in the principles of empathy, validation, and empowerment. We understand the importance of feeling seen, heard, and respected in therapy, and we strive to create a space where clients can be their true selves without fear of bias or discrimination. Our therapists are continually engaging in training, education, and advocacy to better understand and support the unique experiences of LGBTQIA+ people. We are committed to creating a therapeutic environment where clients feel safe to explore their identities, address their challenges, and celebrate their strengths.

Phase 1: History Taking

Before beginning EMDR, your trauma therapist will get to know more about your experiences and symptoms. This step is for you to share about events in your past that may be affecting your current mindset.

Phase 2: Preparation

This stage is about ensuring your readiness for EMDR. Even though EMDR therapy for trauma is completely safe, it can be problematic for individuals who commonly experience dissociation. As a safeguard, your trauma therapist will work with you to create your own “calm place” to concentrate on if you feel distressed.

Phase 3: Assessment

It’s now time to choose a target to be reprocessed during your next few sessions. In doing so, you’ll need to identify a vivid image related to the memory, a negative cognition about yourself associated with it, and emotions and bodily sensations that accompany both. Your therapist will then have you challenge that negative cognition with a cognitive one. They will have you rate how true your positive cognition feels and how much distress the target memory causes you on a scale from 1-10.

Phase 4: Desensitization

This is where Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing comes into play. When you feel ready, your therapist will guide you to process your negative feelings and memories using bilateral eye movements to facilitate the brain’s healing process. This will help to ground you and take more directed focus on the thoughts, feelings, and images associated with your target. Every minute or so, your therapist will check in on what you’ve noticed and ask you to rate how much discomfort you’re now feeling. When you no longer report distress related to your targeted memory, you move onto the next step.

Phase 5: Installation

Next, your attention will be brought back to the positive cognition you identified earlier. Your trauma/PTSD therapist will recheck how true this belief now feels. The goal is to get this belief to feel like it’s 100 percent true.

Phase 6: Body Scan

You will now be asked to check your body for any areas of tension in your body caused by the target memory. Are your teeth clenched? Is your chest tight? Any uncomfortable physical sensations will be reprocessed using the same procedure as before until you can think of the target memory without feeling any tension.

Phase 7: Closure

At the end of every session, your trauma counselor will make sure that you are leaving feeling more relaxed than when you arrived. If you are feeling agitated, they will lead you through self-calming techniques until you regain your sense of control.

Phase 8: Reevaluation

At the beginning of each subsequent session, your therapist will ask you questions to ensure your positive beliefs have been maintained. This will also help them to identify any new problem areas that may need to be targeted.

EMDR therapy for trauma is considered a success once you are able to bring up memories of trauma without feeling the distress that brought you to therapy. Your trauma therapist will also provide you with the techniques and skills you need going forward to deal with upsetting feelings.

Passion icon

Speak With One Of Our LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapists Today

Louis Laves-Webb, LCSW, LPC-S & Associates
"After sessions with Kalee Gower, I often find myself getting in my car, blasting music, and feeling a sense that all’s well in the world!"

Why Choose Louis Laves-Webb, LCSW, LPC-S & Associates for LGBTQIA+ Therapy in Austin?

We are deeply committed to the principles of inclusivity, respect, and understanding. Our therapists are not only affirming of LGBTQIA+ identities but are also dedicated to continuing education and advocacy to better serve the LGBTQIA+ community. We recognize the importance of finding a therapist who "gets it," and our team is here to provide a compassionate, affirming space where you can feel safe, heard, and supported in every step of your journey.

How Our Patients Feel

"Louis is an incredible therapist.  His approach to patients is truly one-of-a-kind by first and foremost ensuring there is a gentle and safe environment to have an open conversation.  Louis has helped me through several issues I've faced throughout my life..."

“Louis has been instrumental to a lot of my own personal growth and development. And the work he has helped me go through has impacted not only me, but everyone around me and the relationships around me.”

“Robbie allowed me to soften and open up to an internal world that I didn’t even know existed.”

“I’ve worked with therapists for the last 7 years and I’ve never had such a positive experience like I’ve had with Kalee. The perfect balance of feeling safe and cared for while also giving friendly and intelligent guidance to achieve my therapy goals.”

“I’ve worked with therapists for the last 7 years and I’ve never had such a positive experience like I’ve had with Kalee. The perfect balance of feeling safe and cared for while also giving friendly and intelligent guidance to achieve my therapy goals.”

"My time spent with Mr. Laves-webb has been a blessing. He and his staff are professional and informative. They listened when I spoke and help me decide what was best for me. I no longer feel lost in my own head and I know whom I can contact to help me sort through my life. Thank you All for what you have helped me with. I appreciate your time."

"Very helpful and personable.  Been seeing him for couple's counseling for several years and he's helped us through some tough times."

Passion icon

Speak With One Of Our LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapists Today

Specialties

AddictionAnger/ AggressionAnxietyChildren/ AdolescentsChronic IllnessCouple's TherapyDepressionEating DisordersFamily TherapyGroup TherapyHealthIFS TherapyEMDR Trauma TherapyIndividual TherapyLGBTQIA+Life TransitionsMen's IssuesMindfulnessOnline TherapyParentingPTSDRelationship/ IntimacySelf-EsteemSpiritualityStudent ConcernsTrauma