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Therapy for the Hard Stuff |
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When you are looking for a therapist to help you with the questions and transitions you are going through, I recommend that you find a lesbian therapist. A lesbian therapist is more likely to have experience counseling women who have issues surrounding questioning ones sexual orientation, and she will know the resources in your area when you are ready for them (newsletters, books, rap or support groups, lesbian-friendly churches, etc.). She will also know the stages of the questioning and coming out processes and will be able to offer more than just a sympathetic ear. She can suggest options, questions to ponder, and next steps that you may not think of on your own.
In the greater Seattle area, I recommend my partner, Ruth Baetz, MSW. She has been counseling women for 20 years, has lots of experience counseling women on this issue, and wrote a book about the coming out process called Lesbian Crossroads. If you are outside the Seattle area, she can do therapy over the phone. Her number is (206) 328-4402 and her email address is Ruth@RuthBaetzTherapy.com. She starts with a half-hour introductory session for $15 so you can see if the two of you will work well together. For a regular 50-minute session, she has a sliding scale fee starting from $65 to $95 based on your annual income. She also takes many types of insurance.
If you need a lower sliding scale fee, I would suggest Seattle Counseling Service for Sexual Minorities (206) 323-1768. They have student counseling interns who charge $15-$45. Although, I always recommend getting the therapist with the most experience if you can afford it. SCS also has a referral list that includes therapists in other areas. Their referral number is: (206) 323-0220. Their website is www.SeattleCounselingServices.org. |
Sandra Jo Palm, M.A.
Seattle, Washington
206-328-4895
Email: SandraJo@2BEORNOT2BE.NET
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