What does it mean to be non-binary in gender expression?
Some of our counseling specialities are non binary gender expression, LGBTQIA, and transgender affirming therapy. First, non-binary gender identity is a complex and simple term at the same time. For parents, it can be confusing, and we are happy to help you gain clarity. If you are a spouse, and your partner is questing their gender, it can feel overwhelming, scary, and exciting all at the same time. For example, each person may have a different way of demonstrating non binary gender expression. It is just one term for describing individuals who may experience a gender identity that is not just male or female. Also, research shows that there is no single gender. Sometimes, a non binary person may want to wear a dress. Other times, you may want to wear pants. This is be one example non binary gender expression.
To start and learn more about LGBTQ affirming therapy for confidence and clarity, book a free 30 minute phone consultation using the pink button below!
Looking for a recommended book for understanding trust, friendship, and non -binary gender expression?
Check out this book, The Prince and The Dressmaker, for understanding how males like a more feminine expression of their gender, and how to be affirming.
Recommended Books For Parents and Children Around Gender Expression and Being Affirming
Jacob’s Room To Choose, Jacob’s New Dress, and I am Jazz.
Why is non binary gender expression affirming therapy so important when it comes to a loved one with gender dysphoria or gender fluid expression.
So, non binary gender expression affirming therapy supports people who are neither exclusively male or female in expression. Further, the team of therapists in East Lyme, Connecticut at Wisdom Within Counseling and Coaching are non binary affirming beyond two genders. To add, non-binary individuals may identify as gender fluid, too. Sometimes, people choose terms such as agender, which means without gender.
Is genderqueer the same as non binary gender expression?
Additionally, non-binary can mean the same as genderqueer, depending on the person. So, if someone identifies as genderqueer, referring to them as gender queer is affirming language. But, if another person uses genderqueer and you you can ask if non-binary is equivalent for them and their identity. Or, they may feel that it doesn’t fit the best for them. Overall, genderqueer and gender identity is a spectrum of gender identities that are not singularly masculine or feminine. So, some people identify outside the gender binary lines. Non-binary identities can fall under the transgender umbrella, but some people don’t fully transition with surgeries. Lastly, many times, non-binary children, teens, and adults identify with a gender that is different from their assigned biological sex.
What is unique about LGBTQIA affirming therapy at Wisdom Within Counseling and Coaching for children, marriages, and couples?
To continue, non binary gender expression falls under the category of LGBTQIA affirming therapy. And, LGBTQIA means lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex, androgynous, and asexual. Then, there are many letters following incorporating variations on gender identity, sexuality, and kink affirming therapy. When someone who is in the closet, they live with a lot of internalized shame. From internalized shame and guilt, lack of family acceptance, depression becomes very real. For instance, if you have work stress, added to the pandemic, social fears, and questioning your gender, working with a counselor can help you gain confidence and clarity. At Wisdom Within Counseling and Coaching in Southeastern Connecticut, the team specializes in LGBTQIA counseling and transgender affirming therapy.
To start and learn more about LGBTQ affirming therapy for confidence and clarity, book a free 30 minute phone consultation using the pink button below!
How can you start being LGBTQIA+ affirming before you begin in counseling?
If you are not being accepted by your family, it can be hard to accept yourself. Everywhere around you is someone thinking about their gender expression, body image, or sexuality. But, you may not even realize that! You are not alone if you are questioning your gender or sexuality. No matter what you do for work or life, try to be affirming in the best ways that you can. So, if you are a teacher, a student with depression or self-harm behaviors may be struggling and questioning their gender identity. For instance, putting a rainbow flag in your classroom can help students questioning their gender feel accepted.
What is another way to be affirming to the LGBTQIA community?
If you are a doctor, high conflict marital arguments, may be rooted in sexuality questions, needs, feeling unloved, and gender fears. Wisdom Within Counseling in Southeastern Connecticut is happy to help with gender and sexuality exploration in marriage counseling and transgender affirming therapy.
If you are a parent, how can you be affirming to your gender fluid child?
Also, if you are a parent, and your elementary aged child is asking to be called a different name than their birth name, choose to be affirming. Allow your child to pick their preferred name. Often times, children and adults who identify as genderqueer, which can be known as non-binary in many cases, feel accepted choosing their own name. So, because they identify as not exclusively masculine or feminine, a name change can be affirming. Lastly, when identities are outside the gender binary and cisnormativity, encouraging coaches and teachers to use your child’s preferred names is very helpful too.
How does shame and loss around not being accepted impact depression?
Overall, the shame from lack of acceptance can lead to self-harm behaviors, alcoholism, and depression. Unfortunately, family violence and family conflict are real negative results when there is lack of understanding in a family. Sometimes, fear can lead to negative behaviors. So, we help couples who are struggling with their spouse’s gender identify or transgender identity. Also, at Wisdom Within Counseling at Southeastern Connecticut, the team of therapists specialize in LGBTQIA affirming therapy over video. We help transgender children in LGBTQIA affirming therapy. Often, couples who are in open relationships end up feeling shamed in therapy because they haven’t found an LGBTQIA affirming therapist, yet.
What are some local LGBTQIA affirming spots in the New London Connecticut area?
Well, in New London, Connecticut there is a local yoga studio, Hot On Bank, that is LGBTQIA affirming for yoga classes. To add, in East Lyme, Connecticut, there are two LGBTQIA affirming shops, such as the Book Barn and Cafe Sol.
Are you looking for clinical education trainings on being LGBTQIA affirming?
For LGBTQIA+ Training: The Affirmative Couch https://affirmativecouch.com/
Connecticut Doctor (D.O)Dr. Aj Eckert at Gender Advocacy Center (GLAM) https://www.drajsglamcenter.com/
To start and learn more about LGBTQ affirming therapy for confidence and clarity, book a free 30 minute phone consultation using the pink button below!
What does it mean to be transgender? On the topic of non binary gender expression, LGBTQIA, and transgender affirming therapy
To begin, a transgender person has a gender identity that does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. So, their biological sex and hormones don’t match. Therefore, in early childhood is time when preschoolers express gender. Sometimes, families are not supportive. Then, gay or transgender adults have to wait until they don’t live at home come to come out. And, a child who was assigned male on their birth certificate and who identifies as a girl is transgender, often called “trans.”
In non binary gender expression, LGBTQIA, and transgender affirming therapy, we cover topics like family acceptance.
Also, family acceptance is part of the therapy process because it is essential. To add, our counselors work with adults, children, and families. Then, discussions round a preferred name and ender expression, like clothes and hair come next. To note, children may express non binary gender as young ad preschool age. Teens may take beta blockers to stop development. Young adults after take hormone treatments after high school. But, there are side effects like infertility and becoming sterile. So, so parents choose to freeze eggs or sperm. Overall, when taking hormones like estrogen or testosterone, there is a level of commitment. In adult years, some transgender men get top surgery, removing breasts, to have a flat chest. Wisdom Within Counseling and Coaching recommends therapy through this long term process of physical, mental, and spiritual change.
About Wisdom Within Counseling and Coaching in the New London, Connecticut area
We are a group of five holistic therapists specialized for children, adults, couples, and families who want to develop confidence, calming skills for anger, and better self-worth and self-esteem. Each therapist works 3-5 days of the week. Each session, you learn positive coping skills for releasing negative feelings in healthy ways that can support you in being emotionally prepared for the rest of your life. Phone, video, and in person sessions are available. Plus, you can choose from creative art, mindfulness yoga, meditation, music, and outdoor therapies. We focus on alternatives to medication, mental wellness and outlets for inner peace. Proudly, we are LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists in East Lyme, Connecticut.
Why does Wisdom Within Counseling and Coaching offer these unique and different options in non binary gender expression, LGBTQIA, and transgender affirming therapy?
To add, creative art and music therapies promote a universal language beyond words for transgender children needing clarity. So, each therapy room in Niantic, Connecticut has an art table, paints, gel pens, watercolors, clay for building emotional confidence. The team of marriage and family therapists teach anxiety coping skills, self-love, and ways to let go of negative emotions.
To start and learn more about LGBTQ affirming therapy for confidence and clarity, book a free 30 minute phone consultation using the pink button below!
Read Each Therapists Bio Page
At Wisdom Within Counseling and Coaching, we offer a non-binary buddy group with Katie Ziskind LMFT. Also, Emma Mokler, LMFTA, and Amy Giller, LMFTA offer individual LGBTQIA+ counseling and coaching over video and phone.
Unique and different alternatives for a holistic, meaningful path to healing
Play therapy helps young children express frustration around bullying. Outdoor walk-and-talk therapies by the beach help teenagers and young adults learning to date, move mild depression. And, for depression walking can be a lifelong coping skill for acceptance. Each session, our team of therapists help you clear your mind, create a calm life, promote body confidence. Also, yoga, mediation, and breathing therapies can also help you feel stronger after loss and trauma and give you tools to manage panic, and build meaningful, healthy relationships with others, all from self-care. Over video or in person, we help you lay a foundation for emotional connection and healthy relationships, so you can live life to the fullest.
To start and learn more about LGBTQ affirming therapy for confidence and clarity, book a free 30 minute phone consultation using the pink button below!
