We believe in the transformative power of therapy and its ability to empower individuals and couples within the LGBTQ+ community. We also believe there shouldn’t be a financial barrier for LGBTQ+ people to receive mental health services from queer identified clinicians. Therefore, our mission is to bridge the gap between mental health accessibility and the LGBTQ+ community by raising funds dedicated to therapy services. Through strategic fundraising efforts and community engagement, we aim to remove financial barriers, ensuring that everyone has equal access to affirming and culturally competent therapeutic support. 

50% of LGBTQ people who reached out for counseling were unable to get the help they needed because they could not afford it. 68% of queer folks reported symptoms of generalized anxiety.

You're the missing link! We need your help in reaising funds so that every LGBTQ + person who wants to get healthy can. We’ve started the work and want you to join us. Affirming Therapy exists to remind LGBTQ+ people of their intrinsic value by taking away the financial barrier for mental health services.

Giving

Thanks to our generous donors, in 2023 Affirming Therapy was able to offer scholarships for over 80 hours of therapy at a significantly reduced cost to 15 individuals. This year, 2024 has already proven to be successful, not even halfway through the year and we’ve already done the same number of scholarships with many more to come. 

Our goal is to expand our previous impact significantly to 50 individuals and 600 hours of therapy!  We are already on track to meet that goal.  Please consider giving so that we can help as many as we can from the LGBTQ+ community get the life-saving therapy they need.

What Actual Clients Are Saying:

“I found the Christian Closet through an instagram post. When I came to the Christian Closet I was deep in shame about my divorce, reeling from hurt left by my evangelical church, and was processing my new found identity as a queer woman. It was the first place I felt I could go where I could bring all parts of me to the table and be met with love, understanding and experience. I didn’t need to hide being a lesbian to sort though church hurt and I didn’t have to sort through my homosexuality and leave God out of it. I was able to find clarity in the mystery and healing where there was hurt. I honestly don’t know how I would have sorted through and found parts of myself without the Christian Closet. I am forever grateful for the healing I experienced through my time there!”

Lexia M

“In January of 2020, I didn’t think I could go on living. I had recently come out, after living a life of shame and hiding in the world of Christian ministry. I was drowning in it, when a friend threw me a life raft, and referred me to Candice. I can’t describe how deeply healing it was to meet with someone who understood what it was like to be queer and grow up Christian. And she helped me realize something really wonderful- I am good and beautiful and powerful, just as I am. Meeting with Candice not only helped saved my life- it helped bring me to life.“

Amy T

“Although I was privileged to be able to afford my sessions with some help from insurance, therapy was a financial sacrifice. I know many people cannot afford to get quality mental healthcare, especially those who live in areas–like I do–where LGBTQ-qualified counselors are not easy to find. I benefited so much from my time with Candice–every queer person deserves to have access to to life-saving and life-enriching mental health services.”

Devon Van Essen