B E N T
Psychological Services for Gender & Sexual Minorities
Boulder & Denver, Colorado
Tara Eastcott, Psy.D.
BENT is the division of my psychotherapy practice that focuses on working with individuals who identify as members of gender and/or sexual minority communities.
GENDER
One of the main reasons I decided to become a psychologist was in order to be able to work with transgender / transsexual / gender-queer folks. I view gender identity as a uniquely individual and endlessly varying experience. I thereby see "gender variance" as part of the natural spectrum of human life and personal development, not as an illness or aberration.
My philosophy: I am committed to using my expertise in psychological health and healing to help people who experience oppression due to their gender identity or expression to live more comfortably, safely, and with greater contentment inside their own skin. In a society that is so phobic of gender variance that it not only marginalizes and silences these individuals, but often lashes out against them in brutal violence, I see providing supportive therapy as work of social justice. I am adamant that freedom of gender identity and expression be considered a fundamental human right.
My training: I received and sought out specialized training throughout my graduate education in working with trans folks, and can promise a non-judgmental approach that is not driven by any agenda other than helping you to grow into better alignment with yourself and your world.
The “letter”: I have experience conducting assessments and writing letters for clients wanting to begin hormone therapy or seeking sexual reassignment surgery. I will work with your medical providers to facilitate this process. Each assessment is unique, and I will work with you to determine whether you can simply complete a single assessment, or whether a course of psychotherapy would be recommended as well.
Other supports: I am available to meet with family members, schools, and employers/HR departments to help ease communication around transition, coming out, and establishing appropriate support systems.
SEXUALITY
GLBQQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, questioning): you may be seeking therapy primarily because you are having difficulties or have questions directly related to your sexual orientation. Or you might be seeking therapy for another reason, and just want to know that your sexual orientation will not be an "issue" for your therapist. I can undoubtedly provide an educated, non-judgmental ear in either of these cases. You will find that while I am unabashedly queer-positive, I am also well acquainted with the terrible suffering that some people experience because of their sexual orientation, and can help folks to navigate the many layers of distress (personal, familial, relational, occupational, spiritual) they may be confronting.
Other Sexual Minorities: Basically, those who are into a type of relationship (say, polyamorous) or sexual behavior or community (say, BDSM) that falls outside the "vanilla mainstream." Again, I can help you to address concerns directly related to your sexuality, or allow you to be comfortable knowing that I bring a particular awareness and acceptance of these activities to our work together as we focus on other topics.
A chilly day at Boulder Pride 2009...
SEXUAL ADDICTION / COMPULSIVE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR / SEXUAL TRAUMA Certainly I do _not_ assume that members of gender and sexual minority groups automatically struggle with these things! But for those who do, there is frequently additional shame, isolation, and/or confusion associated due to one's gender or sexuality. This is a particularly important area of my work, as I am able to combine my expertise in providing cutting-edge treatments for compulsive behavior and the after-effects of sexual trauma with a complex awareness of how gender and sexuality can influence people's experiences.
1722 14th Street, Suite 130
Boulder, CO 80302
720.236.2821
Psychological Services for Gender & Sexual Minorities
Boulder & Denver, Colorado...................
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