Identity

  • Person wearing a black leather dog mask and leather shirt, sitting against a plain background.

    How to Introduce Kink into Your Relationship: A Therapist’s Guide

    Introducing kink into your relationship can be an exciting journey of exploration, trust, and deeper connection. Whether you’re curious about spicing up your dynamic or you’ve long felt a pull toward kink but didn’t know how to bring it up, this guide is here to help you navigate that process with confidence and care. Incorporating…

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  • Two people sit at an outdoor table holding hands, overlooking a cityscape with traditional buildings and a distant dome.

    Finding Love as a Bear: Dating Tips for Navigating the Gay Bear Community

    Finding love in the gay bear community can feel like searching for the perfect balance between honey and fur—sweet, warm, and deeply comforting. The bear community offers a welcoming space where authenticity shines, yet dating in any community comes with its challenges. Whether you’re new to the bear scene or looking for ways to deepen…

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  • Two shirtless men with long hair face each other, smiling, against a white background.

    Queer Pleasure: Breaking Free from Heteronormative Expectations in the Bedroom

    Sexual intimacy is one of the most personal and profound ways we connect with our partners. Yet, many of us carry ingrained ideas about what sex “should” look like—ideas rooted in heteronormative narratives that often limit our capacity for pleasure and connection. For queer couples, challenging these expectations creates space to redefine intimacy in ways…

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  • Two people holding hands walk away on a bridge. One lifts a leg playfully. Trees and greenery are in the background.

    Building Emotional Resilience in LGBTQ+ Relationships

    Every relationship encounters stress, but LGBTQ+ couples often face unique challenges, including societal pressures, discrimination, and the impact of marginalization. Building emotional resilience within your relationship is not only possible but essential for thriving together. By fostering healthy coping mechanisms and drawing from the work of experts like Emily Nagoski (Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking…

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  • Four action figures stand in a row on a brick surface, with a staircase in the background.

    Exploring Masculinity in the Bear Community

    In the gay bear community, masculinity often takes center stage. Many bears take pride in their rugged, confident, and strong personas. These traits often challenge traditional gay stereotypes and feel empowering to embrace. However, the emphasis on masculinity can sometimes create a barrier to vulnerability. This becomes especially important in relationships where emotional intimacy is…

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  • Two hands reaching toward each other with fingers nearly touching in a narrow, modern architectural corridor.

    Why Gay Clients Should Consider a Couples Therapist for Individual Therapy

    Introduction When you’re seeking individual therapy, finding a therapist who understands your unique needs and experiences is crucial. For gay individuals, it’s important to choose someone who is not only affirming of your identity but also well-versed in the challenges you may face. Interestingly, opting for a couples therapist for individual therapy can offer unique…

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  • Four people stand together outdoors, laughing and talking, with a bright sky and sunlight in the background.

    Making New Friends: Tips for Queer Adults in Portland

    For many queer adults in a vibrant city like Portland, forming new friendships can be both rewarding and challenging. The LGBTQ+ community has a rich tradition of connecting through bars, clubs, and social gatherings, creating spaces for individuals to bond. However, as life changes—whether from moving to a new area, starting a new job, or…

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  • Three people sit at an outdoor café table, engaged with a laptop. Two men face each other, with a woman between them, smiling. Coffee cups and books are on the table.

    Managing Metamour Relationships: How to Build Harmony in Polyamorous Partnerships

    In polyamorous relationships, building and maintaining healthy connections is key to long-term success. One of the unique dynamics in polyamory is the metamour relationship—the connection between your partner’s partners. Managing metamour relationships can often feel overwhelming, but with open communication and intentional boundaries, you can foster a sense of harmony. Whether you’re new to polyamory…

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  • poly relationship with compersion on stone ledge outdoors, smiling and laughing together. Trees and a foggy background can be seen behind them.

    Cultivating Compersion in Polyamorous Relationships

    Cultivating Compersion in Polyamorous Relationships Polyamorous relationships offer a unique and fulfilling way to experience love, connection, and intimacy with multiple partners. However, managing emotions like jealousy can be challenging. One powerful way to counter jealousy and strengthen emotional bonds in polyamorous relationships is by cultivating compersion. Compersion in poly relationships is the feeling of…

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  • Two gay bears with positive body image enjoying a healthy relationship.

    Navigating Body Image in the Gay Bear Community

    Introduction Body image significantly impacts our self-esteem, mental health, and relationships, particularly within the gay bear community. While this community embraces body positivity and diverse expressions of masculinity, many bears still grapple with body image issues that can affect their mental health and relationships. In my couples therapy practice, I’ve seen how these challenges manifest…

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