There is this cultural image of coming out as a single event. The conversation. The announcement. The moment where you finally say the thing out loud and everything shifts. And while that moment is real and it matters, what nobody talks about enough is everything that comes after it.

We spent an entire series talking about toxic relationship patterns. About power and control, chosen family, money, sex, community, and what healthy actually looks and feels like. And underneath almost every single conversation was the same thing, whether we named it directly or not.

Shame.

Somewhere along the way, "toxic" became the word we reach for when something in a relationship doesn't feel right. And look, that instinct is usually pointing at something real.

As a queer therapist, one of the questions I get asked most often, in sessions, in community spaces, sometimes just in conversation, is some version of: Is this relationship toxic, or am I just being too sensitive?

Last weekend, a few of us at OSTC had the chance to volunteer at the Know Other Festival, and it was one of those experiences that reminds you why community matters so deeply.

As we roll into spring and the longer days of summer, it’s easy to feel pulled in a hundred different directions. Between work, relationships, activism, and personal growth, it can start to feel like you’re being asked to do everything all at once.

When we talk about generational strength, many of us are taught to think only about bloodlines—family trees, ancestors we’re biologically tied to, stories passed down through last names and DNA. But for queer people, that definition has always been incomplete.

Identity-based harm can show up in ways both overt and subtle, shaping our lives, our relationships, and our sense of safety in the world. Policies, laws, and institutional practices that criminalize or erase LGBTQ+ identities can reinforce these wounds, creating cumulative effects on mental health that ripple through communities and generations.

There’s something life-saving about walking into a room where you don’t have to explain yourself. That’s the power of queer community—and why safe spaces aren’t just nice to have, they’re essential for our survival and thriving.

When the world feels heavy, rest is essential. Simply laying on the couch with your phone might give the illusion of rest, but if you're still overstimulated, emotionally raw, or spiritually disconnected, you may wake up feeling even more drained.

At Open Space Therapy Collective, we’ve learned that authentic leadership in LGBTQ+ spaces isn’t about climbing some invisible ladder or performing perfection. It’s about showing up as your full, messy, beautiful self.

Mainstream therapy often presents itself as a one-size-fits-all approach — but when it comes to working with marginalized clients, that approach can fall painfully short. In our recent episode of My Therapist is Out!, I sat down with therapist Ernesto Martinez (he/they) to discuss the ways mainstream therapy can fail LGBTQ+ and BIPOC clients — and how we can move toward more inclusive, affirming care.

Consent is a fundamental part of any healthy interaction, especially when it comes to mental health, body work, or medical treatment. Understanding and advocating for our consent can be an empowering act of self-preservation and healing.

The recent fires in Los Angeles have left many in our community displaced, grieving, and navigating the emotional and financial toll of losing homes, businesses, and spaces that once felt safe. But if there’s one thing the LGBTQ+ community has always known how to do, it’s survive—and not just survive, but care for one another, find joy in the face of hardship, and rebuild stronger than before.

Political transitions can feel overwhelming, especially when policies or rhetoric appear to challenge your identity or the rights of your community. It’s crucial, during such times, to prioritize your mental health and find ways to sustain yourself emotionally and socially. Here are some suggestions for navigating uncertain political landscapes with resilience and care.

The start of a new year often brings a sense of renewal—a fresh page, a chance to reflect on who we are and who we want to become. But this new year offers an opportunity to embrace your truth, shed societal expectations, and commit to living authentically.

The holidays can be a time of joy, togetherness, and warm memories—or they can be a minefield of emotional triggers, strained relationships, and reminders of intergenerational trauma. But the holidays also provide an opportunity to reclaim joy, set boundaries, and begin breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma.

The holiday season can be a whirlwind of obligations, family dynamics, and social pressures that often leave us feeling drained. That’s why carving out intentional time to reenergize and affirm your authentic self is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity.

As we face the possibility of another administration hostile to LGBTQ+ rights, many in our community are bracing for uncertainty, fear, and the potential rollback of hard-fought protections. Here’s how you can prioritize your mental health, nurture your connection to queer community, and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights during this time.

There's an entire spectrum of emotions, including joy, love, and connection, that deserve attention when we talk about mental health within the LGBTQ+ community.  Let’s talk about queer joy and the intersection of mental health and emotional well-being in LGBTQ+ therapy.