With all the seemingly new information about gender and sexuality coming to light, it can be easy to feel confused or overwhelmed when thinking any of it might have to do with you or someone you care about.

Maybe you heard a different label of sexuality you never had before and realized it may fit better than the one you’ve been using, or you found yourself experiencing an attraction that you never expected. Maybe you are considering that these feelings you’ve been experiencing may be telling you that the gender you were assigned at birth and have been living as no longer is an adequate representation of who you are on the inside or out. And what then?

If you’ve ever felt lost when it comes to finding a way to describe yourself to others and especially yourself, you know it can feel extremely isolating.

Not knowing what to say or being scared to say the wrong thing can be paralyzing at times and can keep you from truly feeling seen or accepted because it always seems to feel like you’re not really being honest, but that you don’t want to share a truth that feels like it could evolve or change, burdening others with the weight of your unsureness because you chose to share too soon. This leaves you alone with yourself and your confusion, only adding to the loneliness.

The obvious addition while following this path is the weighted worry of how this will impact the current relationships in your life. Even if you can learn to identify and accept the most authentic way to express yourself, how are you going to tell those who matter to you and how are they going to react?

Navigating Gender and Sexuality Issues can be wrought with beliefs that do not serve you finding and accepting your whole self, just as you are- truly.

Remember those current relationships? What have you learned (intentionally or not) about the possibility of you not meeting the societal standard for what is “normal” and “healthy”. Have they inherently taught you that having questions is wrong or that certain gender/sexualities are more “right” than others?

At Turning Point Counseling, we believe that a curious, non-judgmental, and strengths-based framework can provide the much needed space for you to explore this aspect of your identity, learn to trust yourself, and to live in a way that feels the most authentic to you.

We are an ally and would consider it an honor to hold a space with you while you ask very brave questions about yourself- to yourself.

We’d love to help you. Click here to schedule your free 15- minute phone consultation for online counseling in Vancouver, Washington.