Stephanie Gonzales, MA, MFT
Serving the Gay and Lesbian Community
Long Beach and Surrounding Areas
EDUCATION
M.A. Marital and Family Therapy
Azusa Pacific University–Azusa, CA
July, 1995
B.S. Therapeutic Recreation
California State University–Northridge, CA
May, 1990
CREDENTIALS
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
In terms of individual therapy I primarily specialize in working with adults and adolescents. I have noticed some specific concerns that gay and lesbian clients encounter when coming to individual therapy. There are issues related to internalized homophobia, coming out, relationship problems, loneliness, depression, extended family difficulties, sexual identity confusion and spirituality conflicts. In terms of gay and lesbian couples, I have worked with many couples who are facing communication issues, financial problems, issues of monogomy, jealousy, domestic violence, anger management, codependency, and substance abuse.
I also have experience working with gay and lesbian families. The families I have worked with are blended/step-parent families, single-parent homes, adolescents and their families, and those who are dealing with the unique situation of having a gay/lesbian parent. Issues that I have worked with regarding couples and family are pre-marital counseling, gay parenting, reestablishing authority in the home, communication and conflict resolution, restructuring the roles and balance of power in the couple/family, increasing awareness of dysfunctional patterns and altering those patterns into healthy functional patterns of relating, and addressing the unique needs of gay/lesbian parents and their families.
My emphasis in working with the gay and lesbian community developed as I realized the need to have therapists who not only understand the unique needs of this community, but are committed to the overall strengthening of the family and community as a whole. Some of those unique needs are addressed in this website. In other words, it is not enough to be a lesbian therapist, it is equally important to understand the unique dynamics of this community and how it affects relationships with oneself and others. I am also unique in that I believe there are many who struggle with spiritual issues related to their sexuality. I have extensive knowledge and experience in this area, and am able to help those who experience shame or self-denial as a result of their religious affiliation. Whatever your spiritual background, I believe there is a place of peace that can be found in your sexuality and your spirituality. I believe in working to unify these important aspects of self. Feel free to email me if you have any questions or comments.
