Therapy For High-Achieving Gay Men Who Secretly Struggle With Shame
Hey, I’m Josh! It’s nice to meet you.
From the outside, it looks like you’re doing ok, but...
On the inside, you’re exhausted, anxious, self-critical, and feel stuck.
I help high-achieving and emotionally sensitive gay men who have spent years pushing through shame, perfectionism, and harsh self-criticism. I help clients build internal security and fulfilling connections so they can stop fighting themselves and start living with more confidence, clarity, and authenticity.
I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in Florida, and I use a mind–body approach to help you heal old survival patterns that are keeping you stuck.
Why Is Having A Gay Therapist Important
Growing up gay often means learning to adapt early in childhood. You learned to hide parts of yourself, staying vigilant, or learning to earn connection and love through achievement. These survival strategies can follow you into adulthood, affecting relationships, intimacy, and self-worth. People who have not grown gay in a heteronormativity world, do not have this lived experience. Having a gay therapist and therapy specifically for gay men allows for understanding, compassion, and so you don’t have to explain yourself to someone who doesn’t get it. Together we will bring curiosity to these patterns, helping you develop emotional security from the inside out.
Issues Commonly Addressed in Therapy for Gay Men:
Imposter syndrome
Chronic shame or self-criticism
Relationship anxiety or avoidance
Difficulty expressing needs or setting boundaries
Perfectionism or being achievement oriented
Trauma and attachment wounds
Disconnection from emotions or desire
Repeating unhealthy relationship patterns
My Approach To Therapy for Gay Men
I work with gay men using NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), a trauma-informed, relational approach that emphasizes safety, emotional awareness, and authenticity. Rather than pathologizing your experiences, therapy focuses on helping you understand yourself with compassion and build relationships that feel secure, alive, and authentic.
