Therapy for LGBTQ+ Clients Navigating Family Rejection
One of the deepest wounds an LGBTQ+ person can experience is rejection from their own family. The people who were supposed to love and protect you may instead pull away, criticize, or cut off contact entirely. That kind of loss is more than emotional — it can be a trauma that shapes your sense of self, your relationships, and your safety in the world.
In my work as an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist in Pasadena, CA, I meet people carrying this pain in many forms. Some have been told outright they are no longer welcome. Others endure a constant drip of microaggressions and conditional acceptance. Many live with the exhausting tension of hiding parts of themselves just to preserve family ties.
The Emotional and Physical Toll of Rejection
Family rejection can show up in more than just sadness. It often leaves traces in the body: tense shoulders from bracing against criticism, a gut that knots before a family gathering, a nervous system always on high alert. Over time, these patterns can feed into anxiety, depression, and even physical health issues.
What We Work On in Therapy
Therapy is your space to be fully yourself without fear of judgment or dismissal. Together, we might:
Validate your experience: You are not “too sensitive” or “making it up.” Your pain is real.
Untangle internalized shame: Many clients carry family messages in their own inner voice — we work to recognize and replace those with affirming truths.
Build protective boundaries: Knowing when to say no, when to limit contact, and how to hold your ground.
Healing Modalities That Help
I draw on trauma-focused approaches like EMDR to process memories of rejection so they lose their power. Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps us meet the parts of you that feel hurt, angry, or abandoned and give them the care they never received. Somatic therapy addresses the ways your body holds this pain, helping you release tension and reclaim a sense of safety.
Finding Your Chosen Family
One of the most beautiful aspects of LGBTQ+ life is the concept of chosen family — people who see and celebrate you exactly as you are. In therapy, we can explore local Pasadena resources, community events, and safe spaces to help you connect with those who will stand beside you.
If You’re Facing the Holidays (or Any Contact with Family)
For some, staying in limited contact is still important. We can prepare together — role-playing conversations, setting up self-care plans, and creating exit strategies for situations that cross your boundaries. You deserve to feel in control, not blindsided.
Moving from Rejection to Self-Acceptance
Family rejection can leave deep scars, but it doesn’t define your worth. Healing is possible — not by erasing the past, but by reclaiming your present and future. You can build a life where you are loved and celebrated for exactly who you are.
Start Working With an LGBTQ Affirming Therapist in Pasadena, CA
If you’re looking for an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist in Pasadena, CA, our team would be honored to support you. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward healing and self-acceptance. Follow these steps to start your therapy journey with Thomas Blake Therapy:
Contact me for a free consultation
Meet with an affirming therapist
Start healing from rejection and build a brighter future!
Other Services Offered at Thomas Blake Therapy
LGBTQ affirming therapy isn’t the only service that Thomas Blake Therapy offers. Our team is happy to offer support for your mental health with a variety of services. Other services offered include EMDR therapy to help you cope with past trauma, narrative therapy, and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy to assist patients who have struggled with treatment-resistant concerns. If any of these services resonate with you, please reach out. Our online therapy services are offered in California and New Jersey. For more about us and our services, check out our Bio page and Blog today!
