LGBTQIA+ Affirming Mental Health Care in New Jersey

Gender-affirming Mental Health Care in NJ

Compassionate, affirming psychiatric care for LGBTQIA+ individuals by board-certified psychiatrists in Red Bank and via telehealth across NJ, NY, and PA

LGBTQIA+ affirming mental health care at Kolli Psychiatric & Associates provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and medication management with board-certified, fellowship-trained psychiatrists who understand the unique mental health challenges facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual individuals. Our psychiatrists create a safe, judgment-free space where you can be your authentic self while receiving expert treatment for anxiety, depression, trauma, gender dysphoria, and other mental health conditions.

We provide gender-affirming care including letters for hormone therapy, gender-affirming surgeries, and legal documentation when medically appropriate. All of our providers are psychiatrists with medical degrees and specialized training—we do not employ nurse practitioners. Most patients receive a clear diagnosis and personalized treatment plan at the first visit.

Being LGBTQIA+ isn’t a mental health condition, but the stress of living in a society that isn’t always accepting—along with experiences of discrimination, family rejection, trauma, or internalized stigma—can significantly impact mental health.

Whether you’re struggling with anxiety related to coming out, depression from lack of acceptance, trauma from discrimination or violence, navigating gender identity and seeking gender-affirming care, or simply need mental health treatment from a provider who won’t make you explain or justify who you are, our psychiatrists provide affirming, knowledgeable care. We offer LGBTQIA+ mental health services in-person at our Red Bank office or via secure telehealth throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Your first visit with one of our LGBTQIA+ affirming psychiatrists is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation where you can be open about your identity, relationships, experiences, and mental health concerns without fear of judgment or discrimination.

Your psychiatrist will explore:

• Your current mental health symptoms—anxiety, depression, mood changes, trauma symptoms, or other concerns
• Your identity—sexual orientation, gender identity, pronouns, chosen name (we use your correct name and pronouns from the first interaction)
• Coming out experiences—who knows, who doesn’t, how it’s gone, and related stress
• Family and social support—acceptance, rejection, chosen family, community connection
• Experiences of discrimination, harassment, violence, or microaggressions
• Relationship status and dynamics—partners, dating experiences, intimacy concerns
• For transgender and non-binary individuals: gender dysphoria, transition status, gender-affirming care needs, medical transition if applicable
• Minority stress—the cumulative impact of navigating a heteronormative, cisnormative society
• Substance use—which is higher in LGBTQIA+ communities often as a coping mechanism
• Previous mental health treatment and whether providers were affirming and knowledgeable
• Your goals for treatment and any specific needs (letters for medical transition, etc.)

We’ll work together to:

• Provide an accurate psychiatric diagnosis
• Distinguish between mental health conditions and normal responses to discrimination and minority stress
• Create a treatment plan that may include medication, therapy referrals to LGBTQIA+-affirming therapists, community resources, or support groups
• Provide letters for hormone therapy, gender-affirming surgeries, or legal name/gender marker changes when clinically appropriate
• Coordinate with your primary care doctor, endocrinologist, or gender-affirming care providers
• Ensure you feel seen, validated, and supported throughout your care

You’ll never have to educate us about LGBTQIA+ identities or defend who you are. We understand the language, the experiences, and the specific mental health concerns affecting LGBTQIA+ individuals.

After Your Evaluation: Creating Your Treatment Plan

Most patients leave their first appointment feeling heard, validated, and with a clear plan to address their mental health needs. Here’s what happens next:

Clear diagnosis and validation – Your psychiatrist will explain your diagnosis, distinguish between psychiatric conditions and normal responses to minority stress, and validate your experiences without pathologizing your identity.

Personalized treatment plan – Treatment may include medication for anxiety, depression, or trauma; therapy referrals to LGBTQIA+-affirming therapists; connection to community resources; or coordination with gender-affirming care providers.

Medication started same-day if appropriate – If medication is clinically indicated, we’ll prescribe it the same day after thoroughly discussing options, including considerations specific to hormone therapy if you’re on HRT.

Letters for gender-affirming care when needed – If you’re seeking hormone therapy, gender-affirming surgeries, or legal documentation for name/gender marker changes, we provide letters that meet WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) standards when clinically appropriate.

Follow-up scheduled in 2-4 weeks – We’ll monitor your response to treatment, adjust medications if needed, and ensure you’re progressing toward your mental health goals.

Coordination with your healthcare team – We work with your primary care doctor, endocrinologist, gender-affirming care providers, therapist, or other specialists to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care.

Connection to LGBTQIA+ resources – We can connect you with LGBTQIA+-affirming therapists, support groups, community organizations, and other resources that support your wellbeing.

You deserve mental health care that affirms who you are, not care that treats your identity as something to “fix.”

Why LGBTQIA+ Individuals Throughout NJ, NY, and PA Choose Our Practice

Genuinely affirming care from knowledgeable psychiatrists

We don’t just say we’re LGBTQIA+-friendly—we actively create affirming care environments. Our psychiatrists understand LGBTQIA+ identities, use correct names and pronouns, don’t make assumptions about relationships or bodies, and recognize that your identity isn’t a mental health problem. You’ll never be asked invasive questions out of curiosity or made to educate your provider about basic LGBTQIA+ concepts.

Board-certified psychiatrists with specialized training

All of our providers are board-certified, fellowship-trained psychiatrists with expertise in mental health conditions that disproportionately affect LGBTQIA+ individuals, including minority stress, trauma, anxiety, depression, and gender dysphoria. We do not employ nurse practitioners. This level of expertise matters when treating complex trauma, co-occurring conditions, or navigating medication management alongside hormone therapy.

Gender-affirming care and documentation

For transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals, we provide letters for hormone therapy (HRT), gender-affirming surgeries (top surgery, bottom surgery, facial feminization, etc.), and legal name/gender marker changes when clinically appropriate. Our letters meet WPATH standards and are accepted by endocrinologists, surgeons, and legal agencies. We understand the medical transition process and can coordinate care with your other providers.

Understanding of intersectional identities

We recognize that LGBTQIA+ individuals hold multiple identities—race, ethnicity, religion, disability, socioeconomic status—that intersect and affect mental health. We provide culturally responsive care that honors the complexity of your experiences.

Safe space for difficult topics

Discuss topics like coming out, family rejection, dating and relationship challenges, sexuality concerns, body dysphoria, experiences of discrimination or violence, substance use, or suicidal thoughts without fear of judgment. We understand these are common experiences in LGBTQIA+ communities and provide appropriate support.

Medication management considerations for those on hormone therapy

Suppose you’re taking gender-affirming hormone therapy (testosterone, estrogen, etc.). In that case, we consider potential interactions with psychiatric medications and coordinate with your endocrinologist to ensure safe, effective treatment for both your mental health and gender-affirming care needs.

Coordination with LGBTQIA+-affirming therapists

We can refer you to therapists who specialize in LGBTQIA+ mental health and who understand the specific challenges you face. If you’re already seeing a therapist, we’ll coordinate care to ensure medication and therapy work together effectively.

Convenient Red Bank location plus private telehealth

Choose from in-person visits at our Red Bank office or meet with your psychiatrist via secure telehealth from anywhere in New Jersey, New York, or Pennsylvania. Many LGBTQIA+ patients prefer telehealth for privacy, convenience, or because they don’t have access to affirming care near them.

Insurance-friendly out-of-network practice

We partner with Thrizer to handle your out-of-network insurance billing. Many patients receive significant reimbursement and only pay their copay after meeting their deductible. Your privacy is protected—insurance billing uses your legal name if required, but we use your chosen name and pronouns in all clinical interactions.

Mental Health Challenges Affecting LGBTQIA+ Individuals

LGBTQIA+ individuals experience mental health conditions at higher rates than the general population—not because of identity itself, but because of minority stress, discrimination, stigma, and lack of acceptance.

We provide expert treatment for:

Minority stress and its mental health impact – The cumulative stress of living as a marginalized identity in a society that isn’t always accepting. This includes experiences of discrimination, microaggressions, vigilance about safety, concealing identity in certain spaces, and internalized stigma. Chronic minority stress contributes to anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.

Anxiety disorders – Generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, and health anxiety are significantly higher in LGBTQIA+ communities. Anxiety may be related to coming out, fear of rejection or discrimination, safety concerns, anticipating negative reactions, or navigating heteronormative/cisnormative spaces.

Depression – LGBTQIA+ individuals experience depression at 2-3 times the rate of the general population. Depression may stem from lack of acceptance, family rejection, experiences of discrimination, internalized homophobia or transphobia, isolation, or chronic minority stress.

Trauma and PTSD – Many LGBTQIA+ individuals have experienced trauma including childhood abuse, family rejection, bullying, hate crimes, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, or conversion therapy. Trauma-informed psychiatric care addresses both trauma symptoms and the mental health conditions that develop as a result.

Gender dysphoria – The distress experienced when one’s gender identity doesn’t align with sex assigned at birth. Gender dysphoria is recognized in the DSM-5 and is the basis for medical transition. We provide diagnosis, treatment (when requested), and letters for gender-affirming medical care. Our goal is to help you access the care you need to live authentically.

Coming out stress and family rejection – The process of coming out can be anxiety-provoking, and family rejection or loss of support systems significantly impacts mental health. We help you process these experiences, develop coping strategies, and build resilience.

Relationship and intimacy concerns – Dating, relationships, and intimacy can be complicated by internalized stigma, past trauma, body dysphoria, or navigating LGBTQIA+ dating culture. We can address anxiety, depression, or relationship patterns affecting romantic and sexual relationships.

Substance use and addiction – Substance use rates are significantly higher in LGBTQIA+ communities, often as a way to cope with minority stress, trauma, or mental health symptoms. We evaluate whether substance use is causing mental health problems or whether mental health problems are driving substance use, and provide appropriate treatment.

Suicidal thoughts and self-harm – LGBTQIA+ individuals, especially LGBTQIA+ youth, experience suicidal ideation and self-harm at much higher rates. We take these symptoms seriously, provide immediate support, and create safety plans. If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, we can help.

Body image concerns and eating disorders – Body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and body dysmorphia occur at higher rates in LGBTQIA+ communities, particularly among gay and bisexual men, transgender individuals, and non-binary people. We provide psychiatric treatment and coordinate with specialized eating disorder programs when needed.

Social isolation and loneliness – Many LGBTQIA+ individuals experience isolation due to lack of community, family rejection, or living in areas without visible LGBTQIA+ populations. Social isolation significantly impacts mental health and contributes to depression and anxiety.

Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth and Young Adults in Red Bank, NJ

LGBTQIA+ adolescents and young adults face unique challenges during a critical developmental period. We provide affirming mental health care for LGBTQIA+ teens and young adults.

Coming out during adolescence – Teens navigating sexual orientation or gender identity exploration while managing school, family, and peer relationships. We provide support, validation, and treatment for anxiety or depression related to coming out or staying closeted.

Family acceptance and rejection – Family reactions to a teen’s LGBTQIA+ identity significantly impact mental health. We help teens cope with family rejection, navigate complicated family dynamics, and build resilience whether family is accepting or not.

School-related stress – Bullying, discrimination, lack of acceptance, bathroom access (for transgender students), deadnaming, and misgendering at school contribute to anxiety, depression, and school refusal. We can provide documentation for school accommodations when appropriate.

Social media and LGBTQIA+ identity formation – Online communities provide support and connection but can also expose teens to idealized images, toxic comparisons, or harassment. We help teens navigate healthy relationships with social media and LGBTQIA+ online spaces.

Dating, relationships, and sexuality – LGBTQIA+ teens navigate dating and sexuality without the same cultural scripts and support that heterosexual, cisgender teens receive. We provide support for relationship concerns, intimacy anxiety, and healthy sexuality development.

Gender exploration and early medical transition – For transgender and non-binary youth, we provide assessment, support, and when appropriate, letters for puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or social transition support at school.

Higher risk for mental health crises – LGBTQIA+ youth experience significantly higher rates of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, self-harm, depression, and anxiety. Early intervention with affirming mental health care is essential and can be lifesaving.

Schedule Your LGBTQIA+ Affirming Mental Health Appointment in New Jersey

If you’re seeking mental health care from a provider who will see, respect, and affirm who you are—or if you need gender-affirming care documentation or support—our board-certified psychiatrists are here for you.

Call our office at 732-655-4568 or book an appointment online. We serve LGBTQIA+ individuals in-person at our Red Bank office and via telehealth throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. We see patients from across Monmouth County and beyond who are seeking affirming, expert psychiatric care.

Ready for mental health care that affirms who you are?
You deserve support, not judgment—schedule your appointment today.

Frequently Asked Questions About LGBTQIA+ Affirming Mental Health Care

1. Where can I find LGBTQIA+ affirming mental health care near me?

Kolli Psychiatric & Associates provides LGBTQIA+ affirming psychiatric care in Red Bank, NJ, serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual individuals throughout Monmouth County including Freehold, Marlboro, Rumson, Middletown, Holmdel, and surrounding areas. Our board-certified psychiatrists offer affirming care for anxiety, depression, trauma, gender dysphoria, and provide gender-affirming care documentation. We offer both in-person appointments at our Red Bank office and telehealth throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

2. Are you really LGBTQIA+ affirming, or just LGBTQIA+-friendly?

We provide genuinely affirming care, not just tolerance. Our psychiatrists use correct names and pronouns, understand LGBTQIA+ identities and experiences, don’t make assumptions about gender or relationships, recognize minority stress and its impact on mental health, and treat your identity as a normal variation of human experience—not something to pathologize. You’ll never have to educate us about basic LGBTQIA+ concepts or defend who you are.

3. Can you provide documentation for legal name and gender marker changes?

Yes. We provide letters for legal name changes and gender marker changes on driver’s licenses, passports, birth certificates, and other legal documents when required by courts or government agencies in New Jersey, New York, or Pennsylvania. Our letters meet legal requirements and support your ability to have identification that matches your gender identity.

4. Will you use my correct name and pronouns?

Always. From the moment you contact our office, we use your chosen name and pronouns in all interactions—phone calls, patient portal, appointment scheduling, clinical documentation, and appointments. If you’re not out in certain contexts or prefer your legal name for insurance purposes, we can navigate that while using your correct name and pronouns in clinical care.

5. Do you treat gender dysphoria?

Yes. We provide diagnosis and treatment for gender dysphoria, which may include letters for gender-affirming medical care, medication for co-occurring anxiety or depression, therapy referrals, and ongoing support throughout your transition. Our goal is to support your access to gender-affirming care while providing comprehensive mental health treatment.

6. I’m not sure about my gender identity yet—can you help?

Absolutely. Gender exploration is a normal process, and you don’t need to have everything figured out before seeking support. We can help you explore your gender identity, process your feelings, consider your options, and make decisions that feel right for you—without pressure or timelines. Questioning and exploration are valid parts of the process.

7. Can you prescribe hormone therapy (testosterone or estrogen)?

No. As psychiatrists, we don’t prescribe gender-affirming hormone therapy—that’s provided by endocrinologists, primary care doctors in informed consent clinics, or other physicians specializing in transgender healthcare. However, we provide the letters that allow you to access hormone therapy from these providers, and we coordinate psychiatric care with your hormone therapy treatment.

8. Where can I find transgender mental health care near me in Monmouth County?

Kolli Psychiatric & Associates provides transgender mental health care in Red Bank and throughout Monmouth County, NJ. Our board-certified psychiatrists offer affirming psychiatric evaluation, medication management for anxiety, depression, and trauma, gender dysphoria diagnosis and treatment, letters for HRT and surgeries, and coordination with gender-affirming care providers. Available in-person and via telehealth.

9. Do you treat mental health issues related to coming out?

Yes. We provide support for anxiety, depression, and stress related to coming out or staying closeted. Coming out is a process that can bring relief, fear, anticipation, grief, and many other emotions. We help you navigate this process, cope with family or social reactions, and address any mental health conditions that develop or worsen around coming out.

10. Can you help with family rejection and lack of acceptance?

Yes. Family rejection is one of the most significant predictors of mental health problems in LGBTQIA+ individuals. We provide trauma-informed care for experiences of rejection, help you process grief and loss, develop coping strategies, build chosen family and support systems, and treat anxiety, depression, or other conditions that develop from lack of family acceptance.

11. I experienced conversion therapy—can you help?

Yes. We provide trauma-informed care for individuals who experienced conversion therapy or reparative therapy. These practices are harmful and can cause lasting trauma, anxiety, depression, shame, and identity confusion. We help you process these experiences, heal from the harm caused, and affirm your authentic identity.

12. Do you understand the specific mental health needs of LGBTQIA+ people of color?

Yes. We recognize that LGBTQIA+ people of color navigate both heterosexism/cissexism and racism, and that these intersecting identities affect mental health in unique ways. We provide culturally responsive care that honors the complexity of intersectional identities and addresses experiences of discrimination and minority stress from multiple marginalized identities.

13. Can I bring my partner to appointments?

Yes. We welcome partners and support people in appointments when appropriate and with your permission. We treat same-sex relationships and partnerships with the same respect and seriousness as any other relationship.

14. Will my information be kept confidential?

Yes. Everything you discuss in appointments is confidential and protected by HIPAA. We don’t disclose your sexual orientation, gender identity, or any information about your care without your written permission (with standard exceptions for safety concerns). You control who knows about your identity and mental health care.

15. I’m on hormone therapy—will that affect psychiatric medication?

Potentially. Some psychiatric medications may interact with gender-affirming hormone therapy or may need dose adjustments. We consider your hormone therapy when prescribing psychiatric medications and coordinate with your endocrinologist to ensure safe, effective treatment for both your mental health and gender-affirming care.

16. Can you help with substance use issues in LGBTQIA+ individuals?

Yes. We understand that substance use rates are higher in LGBTQIA+ communities often as a way to cope with minority stress, trauma, or mental health symptoms. We evaluate whether substance use is causing mental health problems or whether untreated mental health conditions are driving substance use, and we provide appropriate treatment while understanding the context of LGBTQIA+ substance use.

17. Do you provide care for LGBTQIA+ teens and young adults?

Yes. We provide affirming mental health care for LGBTQIA+ adolescents and young adults including support for coming out, family dynamics, school-related stress, gender exploration, and treatment for anxiety, depression, or trauma. For transgender and non-binary youth, we provide assessment and letters for puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and social transition support when appropriate.

18. Where can I find gay-affirming mental health care near me?

Kolli Psychiatric & Associates provides gay-affirming, lesbian-affirming, and bisexual-affirming mental health care in Red Bank and throughout Monmouth County, NJ. We treat anxiety, depression, minority stress, trauma, relationship concerns, and coming out issues for gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals. Our psychiatrists understand the specific mental health challenges facing sexual minority individuals and provide care that affirms your identity.

19. Is LGBTQIA+ mental health care covered by insurance?

Kolli Psychiatric & Associates is an out-of-network practice, but LGBTQIA+ mental health services are typically covered as out-of-network mental health benefits. We partner with Thrizer to handle your insurance billing. Your privacy is protected—we use your legal name for insurance if required but use your chosen name and pronouns in all clinical care. Many patients receive significant reimbursement after meeting their deductible.

20. How soon can I schedule an LGBTQIA+ affirming appointment?

We typically have availability for new patient evaluations within 1-2 weeks. Call our office at [PHONE NUMBER] or request an appointment online, and our team will schedule you with one of our board-certified psychiatrists—either in-person at our Red Bank office or via telehealth. Let us know your preferred name and pronouns when scheduling, and we’ll use them from the first contact.