2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy in Waterloo & Online Across Ontario
You deserve a space where you can show up as your whole self.
Finding a space where you feel comfortable being yourself isn't always easy. You may be exploring your identity, navigating relationships or family dynamics, working through experiences of rejection, or simply looking for a place where you feel understood and accepted.
At New Moon Counselling (NMC), we offer inclusive, affirming counselling for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Our therapists respect each person's unique experiences and identity, creating a space where you can bring your whole self without judgment. Whether you're exploring who you are, navigating life's challenges, or working through something unrelated to your identity, we're here to support you.
We offer in-person counselling in Waterloo and virtual therapy throughout Ontario.
There isn't one particular reason someone seeks affirming therapy. You may be looking for a therapist who understands and respects your identity, or navigating challenges connected to your experiences as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
You might find yourself:
Exploring your sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Navigating coming out, social transition, or decisions about sharing your identity.
Working through rejection, discrimination, stigma, or feeling misunderstood.
Navigating family relationships, acceptance, dating, intimacy, or relationship changes.
Feeling pressure to fit in, questioning where you belong, or struggling with isolation.
Managing anxiety, depression, stress, or the emotional impact of discrimination.
Building confidence, self-acceptance, and a stronger sense of identity.
Looking for a space where you can feel understood and accepted without having to explain who you are.
What Can Bring Someone to 2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy?
You don't need to be questioning your identity or experiencing a particular challenge to benefit from affirming therapy. Sometimes, you simply want a therapist who understands that your identity is an important part of who you are and respects that without making it the focus of every conversation.
2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapists
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Di-Anne Martin (she/her)
Individual & Couples Therapy
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Arsh Reddick (she/her)
Registered Social Worker
Individual & Teen Therapy -
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Jordan Hunsberger (he/him)
Registered Psychotherapist
Individual Therapy & Couples Therapy -
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Bethany Hanman (she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist
Individual Therapy
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Mais Haj-Ayoub (she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Individual Therapy
How Can 2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy Help?
Therapy should be a space where you feel comfortable being yourself, not somewhere you have to spend time educating your therapist or explaining why certain experiences matter. At NMC, our goal is to create an environment where you feel heard, respected, and supported in whatever brings you to counselling.
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You might be questioning aspects of your identity, exploring how you want to express yourself, or becoming more comfortable with who you are. There isn't a timeline or a particular way you're supposed to figure things out. Therapy can offer space to explore your thoughts and feelings without pressure to choose a label, reach a conclusion, or have all the answers.
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Relationships with family, friends, and partners can sometimes become complicated when identities, expectations, or beliefs differ. You might be navigating difficult conversations, boundaries, acceptance, or changes in relationships. Therapy can help you work through these experiences, communicate your needs, and build relationships where you feel respected and supported.
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Unfortunately, not everyone experiences acceptance or understanding. Experiences of discrimination, bullying, rejection, or invalidation can have a lasting impact on how you see yourself and interact with the world. Therapy provides a space to process these experiences, recognize their impact, and develop ways to protect your emotional well-being.
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It can be exhausting to feel like you need to hide certain parts of yourself or adjust who you are to make others comfortable. Therapy can help you explore internalized messages, challenge expectations that don't align with who you are, and develop a stronger sense of self-worth and confidence.
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Like anyone else, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community experience anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, grief, and everyday life stress. However, experiences of stigma, discrimination, and feeling misunderstood can add additional layers of stress. Therapy can help you understand these experiences, develop coping strategies, and find ways to care for your emotional well-being.
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Feeling accepted and connected can make a meaningful difference in our well-being. If you've experienced isolation or struggled to find spaces where you feel understood, therapy can help you explore what connection and belonging look like for you and identify ways to build supportive relationships and community.
2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy for Children, Teens, and Adults in the Waterloo Region
Everyone deserves to feel accepted and supported, regardless of their age or where they are in their journey. At NMC, our therapists recognize that experiences and support needs can look different throughout life.
Children: Children may begin expressing curiosity about gender, identity, or how they see themselves from an early age. They may also experience challenges with friendships, acceptance, bullying, or feeling different from their peers. Therapy can provide an age-appropriate, supportive space where children feel heard and accepted. When appropriate, working alongside parents or caregivers can also help create a more supportive environment at home.
Teens: Adolescence can bring a lot of questions about identity, relationships, belonging, and self-expression. Teens may be navigating the coming-out process, family acceptance, peer relationships, or figuring out where they feel comfortable being themselves. Therapy offers a space where teens can talk openly, explore their experiences, and develop confidence without pressure or judgment.
Adults: Whether you've been out for years, are exploring your identity later in life, or are navigating changes in relationships and family dynamics, there is no one way to experience your identity. Therapy can help you work through past experiences, navigate current challenges, strengthen relationships, and build a life that feels authentic and aligned with who you are.
At New Moon Counselling, we believe affirming care starts with listening, respecting your experiences, and recognizing you as the expert on your own identity. Our therapists take an individualized approach, creating space for you to explore whatever brings you to therapy without assumptions or expectations about who you are or who you should be. Depending on your needs and your therapist's training, sessions may incorporate approaches such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), EMDR, or polyvagal-informed strategies. These approaches can help you explore your identity, work through difficult experiences, build emotional regulation skills, strengthen self-acceptance, and navigate relationships and life transitions. Most importantly, therapy is guided by your goals, your experiences, and what feels meaningful to you.
You Deserve to Feel Comfortable Being Yourself
You don't need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. You don't need to identify a specific concern, explain your identity, or know exactly what you want to work on. Whether you're looking for support with something deeply personal or simply want a space where you can talk openly without fear of judgment, we're here to listen.
At NMC, we want you to feel that you can show up as yourself, be heard, and know that your experiences matter.
How We Approach 2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming Care at NMC
Ready To Get Started?
We make getting started easy!
New Clients
Ready to take the next step? You can book a counselling appointment directly online with one of our therapists using the button below.
If you have questions, would like help finding a therapist who feels like the right fit, or would prefer a little support with booking, simply fill out our contact form. We’ll be happy to connect with you and help you get started.
Existing Clients
You can log in to your account through your client portal to schedule or change appointments, or email us.
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