June, Pride, and the Power of Being Seen: Reflections from a Human & Therapist

As a child and family therapist, June has always held deep meaning for me—not just because

summer begins and the days stretch longer, but because it is Pride Month, a time that invites us

to celebrate identity, inclusion, and the power of being seen.

For many of the LGBTQ+ youth and families I’ve worked with, June isn’t just about rainbow flags

or parades. It’s about hope. It’s about visibility. And most of all, it’s about healing.

The Weight of Silence

In the therapy room, I have sat across from kids as young as eight who were already carrying

the crushing weight of “otherness.” Some didn’t yet have the language to describe how they felt;

they just knew they were different, and that difference was often met with silence—or worse,

shame.

I’ve also listened to parents struggle, not with loving their child (they do, deeply), but with

reconciling what they thought they knew about gender, identity, or family roles. The silence

between them—thick with confusion, fear, and unspoken questions—can be heartbreaking.

That’s why Pride matters. It gives families a chance to break the silence.

Mental Health and Belonging

Being LGBTQ+ is not a mental health issue. But being rejected, invalidated, or forced to hide

core parts of who you are? That absolutely impacts mental health.

Studies consistently show that LGBTQ+ youth face higher risks for anxiety, depression, and

suicidal thoughts—not because of who they are, but because of how the world responds to

them. Conversely, just one accepting adult in a young person’s life can dramatically reduce

these risks.

I’ve seen firsthand how healing begins when a parent says, “I see you. I believe you. I love you.”

It doesn’t require perfection—just presence.

When Families Choose Curiosity Over Control

I’ve worked with families at every stage of this journey. Some come in already affirming and just

want guidance on how to best support their child. Others are confused or grieving the loss of the

future they imagined. That grief is real and valid—but so is the opportunity to grow into

something even deeper: authentic connection.

When parents shift from trying to fix to trying to understand, relationships transform. When

siblings become allies, when extended family members ask questions instead of making

assumptions, when a teenager feels safe showing up as themselves—it changes everything.

Celebrating Pride as a Family

Celebrating Pride doesn’t require a perfect understanding of every flag or acronym. It starts with

showing up. It starts with saying, “You matter to us.” Whether it’s attending a local Pride event,

reading LGBTQ+ affirming books as a family, or simply having open conversations, these small

acts ripple outward.

Pride is not just a celebration of LGBTQ+ individuals—it’s a celebration of the power of love,

authenticity, and chosen family. And for many of the kids I work with, it’s a reminder that the

world can be a safe place for them to belong.

Final Thoughts

This June, I invite all families—whether you have an LGBTQ+ member or not—to reflect on how

you create space for openness, safety, and love. Ask yourself:

● Do the people in my family feel free to be themselves?

● Do we talk about identity and belonging in our home?

● Are we willing to learn, even if we’re uncomfortable?

Because at its heart, Pride is about being seen and loved, just as you are. And in the therapy

room—and in our homes—that’s where healing begins.

Warmly,

A Child & Family Therapist Who Believes in the Power of Being Seen 󰝲💛

Kavanaugh and the Lessons Our Kids Can Learn From It.

I like many other Americans have been captivated by the Kavanaugh appointment hearing in the last 6 weeks or so. If you’re unsure of what I am referring to typing in “Kavanaugh” to any search engine will likely produce an outpouring of articles, some created in the spirit of authentic journalism, others from a radical right or left-wing political viewpoint and far too many from a position of perceived hatred for one “side” or the other.

The hashtag #IBelieveHer and #IBelieveHim have pressed and depressed out the possibility of a grey area, grey area meaning the need for critical thinking, wondering, self-reflection and learning. Because this topic (of sexual assault, consent for sexual experiences) has become a metaphorical black and white issue; either you unequivocally believe him or unequivocally believe her, the conversation has stopped entirely. As any counselor might tell you, not talking about something (whether emotions, situations or trauma) doesn’t mean those things no longer exist - they still have impact as will the Kavanaugh hearing on our nation and the kids we bring up. The challenge now stands to understand the narrative about consent and sexual assault and learn how to actively teach younger people about it.

If you choose to engage in this conversation with your children you may benefit from sticking to these central themes while also remaining true to your family values and culture. As with any planned conversation with a child or teen, remember that how you feel about the topic and how you feel as the time to have the conversation approaches is critically important. The energy we bring to a conversation with another impacts the way they receive or respond to the content of the conversation. If you want your child to respond openly, ask yourself ‘do I feel open about this issue? Am I feeling comfortable, as I want my child to feel while talking about this?’ If you aren’t in a space where you feel generally neutral or not totally emotionally charged take time and space for yourself. Counterintuitive to messages we get about “good parenting” this is the first step toward becoming a more aware and present parent.

Conversational themes:

1. Our bodies belong to us: this is a great place to start because it is applicable to all children regardless of sex/gender. The primary lesson we can learn from the Kavanaugh hearing is that kids need to and have the right to feel connected to their bodies and safe enough to verbalize when they do or do not want to be touched. The overall skills this concept develops are self-awareness, assertiveness, refusal skills, boundary setting, attachment.

2. Others bodies belong to them: In reverse, we can teach our children that just as our bodies belong to us that also means that others bodies belong to them. This requires our kids to learn to listen to the words and body language of others. I tend to advocate for parents to relate content to their children first so they can understand because kids are egocentric creatures who see things from their point of view (normal, often highly frustrating). Once they can apply the material appropriately to themselves then they be able to understand how it applies to their peers. Skills this concept develops include active listening, respect of others boundaries, question asking (consent)

3. If they are assaulted you will believe them: Despite fears that an alleged perpetrator will be falsely accused there is overwhelming evidence that victims & survivors won’t be believed. The testimony of Dr. Ford required many survivors to revisit their past experiences, often characterized by someone at some point who implied or outright accused them of dishonesty. It also called all of us to make a judgment about her truthfulness. Reassure your youth that if they are ever sexually assaulted and decide to tell you that you will believe them entirely. Being told by your youth about their assault is to be considered an honor, if you think about how private and traumatic this experience truly is.  

Starting with those very basic concepts it’s shocking how much youth already know and have experienced sexual assault, whether personally or through witness of a loved one. Approaching challenging topics such as this only becomes harder when approached out of fear and not love. When it comes to the youth in our life we show love by preparing them as best we can for the obstacles all humans face in late adolescence and early adulthood. And though we hope our youth never struggle with being assaulted, being guilty of assault or falsely accused of assault their awareness of such issues is the first step in supporting their success in future, loving relationships.

With Gratitude,

Te