You Shouldn't Have to Explain Yourself to Get Care

If you've ever had to educate your provider about your identity, defend your existence, or downplay who you are to avoid judgment—we're sorry. That's not okay, and it's not how healthcare should work.

At Forest Path, you don't have to explain yourself. You don't have to justify your identity. You don't have to wonder if your provider "gets it." You can just... be yourself.

LGBTQ+ Affirming Care Page TOC

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Our Commitment to LGBTQIA+ Care

All of our providers specialize in LGBTQIA+ mental health support. This means:

  • We're knowledgeable about LGBTQIA+ identities, experiences, and mental health needs
  • We understand minority stress, discrimination, and the specific challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ communities
  • We use correct pronouns and names (and don't make it weird when you correct us)
  • We understand gender-affirming care and can provide psychiatric support for transition-related needs
  • We recognize that your mental health exists in the context of your whole identity

We're Allies, Not Just "Friendly" Being LGBTQ+-friendly isn't enough. We're actively affirming, educated, and committed to providing care that honors who you are.

Mental Health Challenges Common in LGBTQIA+ Communities

LGBTQIA+ individuals face higher rates of mental health challenges, not because of identity itself, but because of:

  • Discrimination and stigma
  • Rejection by family or community
  • Minority stress
  • Harassment and violence
  • Systemic barriers to healthcare
  • Internalized homophobia, transphobia, or biphobia
  • Intersectional marginalization

You Might Be Experiencing:

  • Depression: Related to rejection, isolation, or chronic stress
  • Anxiety: Social anxiety, generalized anxiety, or panic related to discrimination or safety concerns
  • PTSD: From harassment, violence, conversion therapy, or other traumatic experiences
  • Identity-Related Distress: Not dysphoria itself, but distress from lack of acceptance or access to affirming care
  • Substance Use: As a coping mechanism for minority stress
  • Suicidal Thoughts: Especially common among LGBTQ+ youth and adults facing rejection
  • Eating Disorders: Higher rates in LGBTQ+ communities, especially among trans and nonbinary individuals

Gender-Affirming Psychiatric Care

For transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals, we provide:

Psychiatric Support for Gender Transition:

  • Mental health evaluation and letters for gender-affirming medical care (HRT, surgery)
  • Medication management before, during, and after transition
  • Support for co-occurring mental health conditions
  • Understanding of how HRT can affect mood and mental health

We Understand:

  • Gender dysphoria is real and treatable
  • Being transgender is not a mental illness
  • Gender-affirming care improves mental health outcomes
  • Withholding transition-related care causes harm
  • Your gender is valid, regardless of medical transition decisions

Mental Health Letters: We can provide evaluation and letters for:

  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
  • Gender-affirming surgeries
  • Legal name and gender marker changes
  • Other transition-related needs

Important: We don't gatekeep. We follow informed consent models and current WPATH standards of care.

Psychiatric Medication Management

We provide medication management for all mental health conditions, with specific understanding of:

Medication Considerations for Trans Individuals:

  • Interactions between psychiatric medications and hormone therapy
  • How HRT can affect mood and mental health
  • Medication adjustments during transition
  • Working with your other providers (endocrinologist, surgeon, etc.)

PrEP and Mental Health: We understand PrEP use and potential interactions with psychiatric medications.

Substance Use: Non-judgmental support for substance use issues, with understanding of how substance use relates to minority stress.

Specific Support for Different Identities

Lesbian & Bisexual Women: Understanding of discrimination, invisibility, and mental health challenges specific to WLW communities.

Gay & Bisexual Men: Understanding of societal pressures, HIV/AIDS trauma, and mental health in MLM communities.

Bisexual & Pansexual Individuals: Understanding of bi-erasure, invalidation, and unique mental health challenges.

Transgender Individuals: Gender-affirming care, understanding of dysphoria, and support throughout transition.

Nonbinary & Genderqueer Individuals: Respect for your gender identity, understanding of erasure and invalidation.

Asexual & Aromantic Individuals: Understanding that asexuality/aromanticism are valid orientations, not disorders.

Queer People of Color: Understanding of intersectional marginalization and specific mental health impacts.

LGBTQ+ Youth & Young Adults: Age-appropriate support for coming out, family rejection, and identity development.

Older LGBTQ+ Adults: Understanding of unique challenges including historical trauma, HIV/AIDS era trauma, and aging.

Coming Out Support

Whether you're:

  • Just figuring things out
  • Out in some contexts but not others
  • Dealing with family rejection
  • Navigating coming out at work
  • Supporting someone else's coming out

We provide psychiatric support for the mental health impacts of coming out processes.

Family & Relationship Issues

We understand:

  • Family rejection and grief
  • "Chosen family" dynamics
  • Relationship challenges unique to LGBTQ+ partnerships
  • Parenting as LGBTQ+ individuals
  • Dating while managing mental health

Trauma-Informed LGBTQ+ Care

Many LGBTQ+ individuals have experienced:

  • Discrimination or harassment
  • Family rejection
  • Conversion therapy (which is trauma)
  • Violence or hate crimes
  • Medical trauma from non-affirming providers
  • Religious trauma

We provide trauma-informed care that understands these specific experiences.

What We DON'T Do

We don't:

  • Ask invasive questions about your body or identity
  • Make assumptions about your relationships or experiences
  • Require you to prove your identity
  • Treat your identity as a mental health problem
  • Gatekeep gender-affirming care
  • Use outdated or pathologizing language
  • Make you educate us about basic LGBTQ+ concepts

Telehealth Throughout Colorado

All appointments are virtual, offering:

  • Privacy if you're not out in your living situation
  • Access regardless of where you live in Colorado
  • No need to navigate potentially unsafe in-person spaces
  • Connection from wherever you feel most comfortable

Insurance & Access

We accept most major insurance including:

  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • United Healthcare
  • Oscar
  • Optum
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Private pay options

Note: We do not accept Medicaid or Medicare at this time.

Insurance Concerns: We understand that using insurance might out you to family members if you're on their plan. We can discuss options.

Crisis Support

If you're in crisis:

  • Trevor Project (LGBTQ youth): 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678
  • Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741
  • 911 if you're in immediate danger

You Deserve Affirming Care

You shouldn't have to fight for basic respect while seeking mental health support. You shouldn't have to educate your provider. You shouldn't have to worry about judgment or rejection.

You deserve care that sees you, honors you, and supports your whole self.

Ready to Work with Providers Who Get It?

If you're tired of explaining yourself, if you want care that affirms rather than questions your identity, if you're ready for psychiatric support from providers who actually understand—we're here.

Book an appointment online or call us at (719) 212-1951.

Same-week appointments available. You're welcome here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are your providers part of the LGBTQ+ community?

Some are, some aren't. All are educated, affirming allies who specialize in LGBTQ+ mental health support. Our founder is queer, though she doesn't currently see patients clinically.

Can you provide letters for HRT or surgery?

Yes. We follow informed consent models and current WPATH standards of care.

Will my identity be a problem with insurance?

Not with us. We code diagnoses appropriately and advocate for coverage of necessary care.

What if I'm not out yet?

You're safe here. We respect your privacy and won't out you in any documentation or communication.

Do you work with polyamorous or non-monogamous individuals?

Absolutely. We understand diverse relationship structures and don't pathologize consensual non-monogamy.

Can you help with PrEP-related anxiety or adherence?

Yes. We can address anxiety around PrEP use and provide support for adherence challenges.

Forest Path Psychiatry & Healing is a nurse-led psychiatric practice serving all of Colorado via telehealth. All of our providers specialize in LGBTQIA+ affirming care and are committed to creating safe, welcoming spaces for all identities.