LGBTQ+ Therapy
in Maine
LGBTQ+ Therapy in Maine.
Laurie Palagyi Therapist in Portland, Maine Specializing in Purity Culture Deconstruction, LGBTQ+, Life Transitions & EMDR
You see things everywhere that suggest “it gets better”. You watch movies and TV shows where the parents or siblings come around to celebrate having a gay family member. Sure, it’s “tough” at first but then they get over their difficulties and life moves on and everyone is happy. And you think, “Well, that’s BULLSHIT!” In fact, you’d rather see a movie where things don’t get reconciled. Where someone is left out in the cold, kicked out of their house, not spoken to, or cut off from their loved ones… and IT DOESN’T GET BETTER. That would be more like real life. At least, your life.
You know it doesn’t always end with a happy ending or get tied up with a pretty bow. You’re angry and bitter. And you’re fucking tired of trying to navigate this situation with your family. And, your tired of making excuses for them and bending over backwards so their lives aren’t impacted. You feel like the ugly “step child” - you’re in the family but you don’t quite fit in and no one knows what to do with you.
And you know the most insidious thing - they tell you they “love” you. I mean, what the hell does that mean? They “love” the thought of you? They “love” you in a nice pretty package? They don’t actually love YOU. They don’t love all of who you are. If they did, they’d acknowledge who you love. They’d acknowledge your family. They wouldn’t say it’s a “lifestyle” and suggest it’s your choice and you’re putting yourself in this situation. As IF you would have chosen to make your life harder? WTF.
And you know what REALLY fucks you up? The fact that you think they knew. That they saw you. And they let the hurt happen. They brought you to the anti-gay rallies as a kid. They laughed along when your pastor made fun of gay people. They bought books that lined your bookshelves at home about not being gay and how it was a sin. And they still have them.
And here you are, a grown adult with a family and you’re still navigating this shit with them. And you’re tired. And you don’t want to keep doing this, at least not by yourself.
You’ve talked with other therapists and you feel like they push you to cut off your family. That they aren’t “good” for you. Or healthy. It feels hard to find someone who “gets it”. Who understands that it doesn't have to be one way or the other. That sometimes the difficulty is worth it. And the thing is, you’re willing to do the difficult but you’re not willing to hide yourself anymore. You need to have boundaries and you need someone to help you figure those out. You need to feel that you have your own back and that you’re not betraying yourself.
Hi. My name is Laurie and I am a Queer licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Maine. And, I get it.
I help people who are struggling with the pain of “otherness” that comes from being part of the LGBTQ+ community.
My clients come to me experiencing:
The loss of their family of origin
Strained relationships after coming out
Having their partners “erased” or not mentioned by their family of origin
Being asked to lie to others about their gay identity
Being ask edit themselves so they don’t make others feel uncomfortable
Trauma from being subjected to conversion therapy
Shame with internal homophobia and what to do about it
Curiosity about their own sexuality and how to explore it more
And so much more…
My clients don’t just find support to help them navigate these tough situations, I help them connect with themselves and explore what it means to have a “chosen” relationship with the difficult (and sometimes hurtful) people in their life. I won’t push you to cut off from your family, instead, we’ll take the time to create a plan that creates connection and safety for you. I’ll meet you with deep understanding, a non-judgemental attitude, and creative problem-solving to help you move forward.
Someone once created a safe space for me and now I get to create a safe space for others to be authentic and explore who they are and who they want to be.
My clients meet with me weekly so they have consistent support and we can create momentum for change. I will often allow my clients to dictate their priorities and will integrate gentle challenges and homework with my clients if they are willing and when they are ready. Therapy doesn’t have to feel scary or mysterious. It can feel like a well-needed conversation and a soft place to land. You don’t have to do this by yourself, let’s do it together.
Contact me for a free consultation for therapy in Maine.
If you are ready to feel safe in your connections then contact me for a 15-minute consultation by clicking below to discover how it can feel to choose yourself and others.
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy in Maine
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Therapy and coaching serve distinct purposes and have different methodologies and focuses. Therapy typically delves into emotional, psychological, and mental health issues, often addressing past traumas and deep-seated patterns to promote healing and personal growth. Therapists are trained to diagnose and treat mental health conditions using evidence-based interventions.
On the other hand, coaching primarily focuses on goal-setting, behavior modification, and skill development to help clients achieve specific objectives or improve performance in various aspects of their lives. They typically do not diagnose or treat mental health disorders but instead provide guidance, accountability, and support to empower clients to make positive changes. -
Knowing if you need therapy can be a deeply personal decision, but here are some signs that it might be beneficial for you:
Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness: If you find yourself consistently struggling with negative emotions that impact your daily life and well-being, therapy can provide support and coping strategies.
Difficulty coping with stress or major life changes: Whether it's a breakup, loss of a job, or other significant life events, therapy can help you navigate these challenges and develop resilience.
Relationship problems: If you're experiencing conflicts in your relationships, whether with a partner, family member, or friend, therapy can provide a safe space to explore underlying issues and improve communication.
Unhealthy coping mechanisms: If you find yourself turning to harmful behaviors such as substance abuse, self-harm, or excessive eating, therapy can help you develop healthier coping mechanisms.
Trauma or past experiences: If you've experienced trauma or have unresolved issues from your past that continue to affect you, therapy can provide a supportive environment for processing and healing.
Feeling stuck or lacking direction: If you're feeling stuck in life, unsure of your goals or purpose, therapy can help you gain clarity, set achievable goals, and work towards personal growth.
Ultimately, if you're struggling to cope with emotions or situations on your own, seeking therapy can be a valuable step towards improving your mental health and overall well-being. -
My therapy & coaching services are fully online and remote, offering convenient access to support from the comfort of your own space. With secure and confidential virtual sessions, I provide the same high-quality care and personalized attention as in-person sessions.