alt

Professional Therapy for Same-Sex Couples

Relationship, Pre-marriage,
Marriage & Divorce-adjustment Counseling


Professionally licensed therapists or counselors practice under strict ethical standards and principles.  These ethical guidelines cover all aspects of what happens between a person in need of care and his or her counselor.  These professional "rules of the road" are designed to protect and benefit the client, assuring that all that's done is with excellence to provide the most positive outcome.

Non-discrimination Commitment

All professional therapists and counselors, including all members of our staff, provide assistance to individuals or couples without discrimination on the basis of race, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religion, sexual identity, gender identity or relationship status.

Boundaries of Practice and Competence

Another key professional ethical standard includes what is called, "Scope of Practice" or "scope of competence."  To assure that the client or clients receive the best possible outcome and solutions, counselors are not permitted to offer or provide diagnosis, treatment or advice that is clearly outside their areas of competence — to refrain from offering service for issues beyond their education, knowledge, training, experience, skills or expertise.

To receive the resolution of problems in the shortest amount of time, clients must work with counselors or therapists who are well-trained, supervised and experienced in the specialty area best suited to meet the clients' needs.  Ethically, a licensed mental health professional is not permitted to cross outside the boundaries of his or her specialty and proven area of competence.  Therapists must also exercise special care to disclose to the public any areas in which they are not trained, skilled or equipped to serve clients' needs .

Our Areas of Competence

In addition to our work with individuals and groups, all of our clinical staff have been professionally trained, supervised, licensed and have experience working only with male-female couples both prior to and after marriage.  The dynamics and focused needs of same-sex couples can present issues that male-female couples do not experience or encounter, and vice versa.  These issues are known as bio-psycho-social dynamics.  Although such issues are not always the primary concern in therapy, the same-sex couple in need of professional counseling should receive help from those with expertise in that specialty area.

Since our staff cannot provide the in-depth and comprehensive care same-sex couples deserve, we would not be the best "fit" or source of professional help for them.

Choosing The Best Specialist for Your Relationship Issues

Imagine someone visiting an eye surgeon when what they really need are eyeglasses.  Or, making an appointment with a dental surgeon when what they really need is braces.  Every profession has focused areas of specialization.  This is particularly true in the special area that we are discussing here.

Because of our lack of qualified expertise in same-sex relationship issues, we will do all that is possible to assist in making appropriate referrals so the clients receive the best possible care.

Preparing for Counseling for Same-Sex Couples

One therapist who specializes in work with same-sex couples offers what we think is sound advice to help them prepare for counseling with mental health professionals who offer this specialization.  This article in Psychology Today would be a good way to approach professional counseling with the best possible mindset. The article by Dr. Michael LaSala can be found at this link: click here

Counselors Who May Be Able to Help

Although we have not personally interviewed or screened any of the following therapists, since they describe their areas of expertise to the public as being skilled in "GLBTQ" issues, the reader may wish to contact them with inquiries.  If they do not personally work with same-sex couples' issues, they may be able to provide a trustworthy and reliable referral to a clinician who does.  We offer this referral resource with no endorsement of any kind, but only as a service to the community.

Here are professionally licensed therapists in three locations (click on location name):

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Orange County, California

Los Angeles, California


What We Believe and Our Work with Couples

The underlying beliefs that can influence our perceptions and work with couples in therapy with our staff include, but are not limited to, the following:

We believe, and adhere to, the truths derived from our Statement of Faith , that love, love-relationships, sex and marriage were created and designed by God as precious gifts to mankind.  We believe that marriage is a sacred gift, a vow and lifelong commitment before God between one man and one woman.

These beliefs are based on the following truths found in the Bible, the Word of God, and are specifically referenced here:

Genesis 1:26-27 Proverbs 30:18-19 1 Corinthians 7:1-5
Genesis 2:21-24     Matthew 19:4-6 1 Corinthians 14:40
Proverbs 12:4 
Ephesians 5:21-33 1 Corinthians 10:31
Proverbs 18:22 
1 Peter 3:1-7 Colossians 3:23-24

For our staff, the final authority in all that we do rests firmly on revealed biblical truth as we understand it. We certainly would not want our values and beliefs to hinder a same-sex couple from getting the care they need.  This is why we would be happy to assist in any way we can to make appropriate referrals to skilled clinicians for those needing and requesting such assistance.

A Final Word to The Reader

Our fervent prayer for any who may read this is that they find the best professional help possible for their unique needs, and that the Lord would, in the light, lead them into all truth by the power of His Spirit. John 16:13

This should make clear, we trust, all that we believe and hold dear on this subject.  All that has been said here is said in love, respect and only for the benefit of the reader and his or her partner.

Dr. Charles Browning
Clinical Director

Schedule Appointment

Start your new path in life and be the change today!

Click Here