“Why Do I Feel Alone in This?” When Support Doesn’t Reflect Your Identity
Online therapy for all ages in MD, VA, GA, MI, and IL
What is the best therapy approach for LGBTQ?
There isn’t just one “best” approach for everyone in the LGBTQ community—because every individual’s experiences, identities, and needs are unique. That said, research and practice show that the most effective LGBTQ affirming therapy is built on evidence-based approaches combined with a deep respect for identity.
- Some of the most commonly used therapy approaches include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps reframe unhelpful thoughts related to identity, stigma, or internalized shame.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages clients to live authentically while developing tools to manage stress and discrimination.
- Trauma-Informed Therapy: Supports healing from bullying, rejection, or past trauma related to sexuality or gender.
- Family Therapy: Helps families build understanding, communication, and support for LGBTQ loved ones.
At Backpack Healthcare, the “best” therapy is the one that honors your identity while addressing your emotional and mental health needs. Our LGBTQ affirming therapy integrates these evidence-based approaches into a safe, affirming space where healing and growth can happen.
What does it mean to be LGBTQ affirming?
Being LGBTQ affirming means more than just accepting or tolerating someone’s identity. It’s about actively validating and supporting LGBTQ clients in ways that affirm their worth and dignity.
In practice, LGBTQ affirming therapy means:
Respecting Pronouns and Names
Always using the pronouns and name that a client chooses.
Understanding Unique Challenges
Recognizing the impact of stigma, discrimination, and minority stress on mental health.
Validating Identity
Affirming that a client’s identity is real, important, and worthy of respect.
What is gender affirming therapy?
Gender affirming therapy is a type of care within the broader umbrella of LGBTQ affirming therapy that specifically supports transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive individuals. It focuses on validating and supporting a person’s gender identity while addressing mental health concerns, life stressors, and personal goals.
This can include:
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Providing a safe space to explore gender identity.
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Supporting clients through social or medical transitions.
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Helping manage stress from discrimination or stigma.
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Building self-compassion and resilience.
Gender affirming therapy does not push clients toward any specific outcome—it supports them in exploring their authentic selves and making choices that feel right for them. At Backpack Healthcare, our clinicians offer gender affirming therapy that centers on empowerment, safety, and acceptance.
What does a gender-affirming therapist do?
A gender-affirming therapist provides mental health care that explicitly respects and supports a client’s gender identity. Their role goes beyond traditional therapy, often including advocacy and education as part of the healing process.
- In LGBTQ affirming therapy, a gender-affirming therapist may:
- Listen without judgment as clients share their experiences of identity and transition.
- Offer coping strategies for navigating stress, dysphoria, or social challenges.
- Provide letters of support for gender-affirming medical care, when appropriate.
- Educate families to build stronger understanding and support at home.
- Advocate for inclusion in schools, workplaces, and communities.
Most importantly, a gender-affirming therapist ensures that therapy is never about questioning or invalidating a client’s identity—it’s about creating space for healing, growth, and self-acceptance.
Real Help, Real Fast: How Backpack Healthcare Works
We believe getting help should be easy, effective, and inclusive. That’s why Backpack Healthcare offers:
Same-day appointments in MD, VA, GA, MI (and soon IL)
Virtual therapy you can access from home, school, or work
Support in over 250 languages
A self-care app powered by AI that helps between sessions
In-school therapy services (Maryland)
Clinicians who are employees, not contractors—so your care is consistent and connected
Coverage with Medicaid and most major insurances, including Aetna, Anthem, CareFirst, Evernorth, and MedStar
In-Network
Insurances
Frequently Asked Questions
We have a diverse staff of specialists, including counselors, psychiatric nurse practitioners and social workers, who can address your child’s specific challenge. We also offer family counseling. Our goal is to make sure you get an appointment when you need it. – usually within 5 days.
We have the ability to diagnose disorders, provide cognitive talk therapy and prescribe medication. Whatever your child is struggling with, we have a specialist to help.
Yes. We provide cognitive talk therapy including medication management/psychiatry.
Medicaid will cover at 100% with no patient responsibility. Commercial insurance plans such as Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare and Tricare may apply a co-pay, deductible or coinsurance that you would be responsible for.
We are in-network with ALL Medicaid Managed Care Organizations such as Aetna Better Health, AMERIGROUP Community Care, CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield Community Health Plan Maryland, Jai Medical Systems, Maryland Physicians Care, MedStar Family Choice, Priority Partners and United Healthcare Community Plan. If you have Maryland Medicaid and your insurance is not listed, please go to https://maryland.optum.com/ and search MCO for the updated list of accepted insurances. If you have Virginia Medicaid and your insurance is not listed, please go to https://vamedicaid.dmas.virginia.gov/provider/mco#gsc.tab=0 and search MCO for the updated list of accepted insurances. We also accept commercial insurance plans such as Aetna, Cigna, BlueCross BlueShield ( BCBS) United Healthcare ( UHC ) and Tricare East Region.
If your insurance is Out of Network, you are welcomed to pay at our reasonably priced self-pay rates and a HCFA-1500 claim form can be provided for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement.
You have the choice to pay our reasonably priced self-pay rates at each individual or family session or you can save more by joining our discounted 3 Month Subscription plan. Please see rates and plan description HERE
Our counselors are licensed, trained, and experienced, and have the ability to make diagnoses, provide therapy and prescribe medication. All therapists are licensed in Maryland.
To give you faster access to care, all sessions are conducted remotely. You can choose a video conference through a secure patient portal or an audio phone call.
We believe in the power of telehealth — to help patients feel more comfortable, to make appointments more accessible, and to keep therapy on track. For that reason, in-office visits are not available. But we may revisit that decision over time.
Yes. Our model is designed so that you can get an appointment in less than 5 days through our scheduling portal. We are also available by text, email and our patient portal messaging.
Yes, however you can request to transfer to a different therapist if you’d like.
Our model is designed to give you faster access to care. Chances are you can get an appointment in less than 5 days. If you are in crisis, do not use this site. Please call 988 or use this resource to get immediate help.
We are available by remote video and audio sessions. Of course, your therapist is available via text, email and our patient portal messaging whenever you may need them.
We have a 24-hour cancellation policy. In the interest of providing fast, accessible care to all our patients, “no shows” may be charged a $50 fee.
Healing Starts Now
Three simple steps to get started.
Step 1. Fill Out The Form
Complete the form below and a member of our team will be in touch.
Step 2. Schedule Your Consultation
Begin your intake process and get matched with a provider.
Step 3. Feel Like You Again
Begin regular sessions with your provider and start your healing journey.