Validating the "Quiet" Trauma

This is for the kid who had to be the chameleon.
Many of my LGBTQ+ clients come to therapy feeling like they "don't have it that bad" because they weren't physically harmed. But we need to talk about the trauma of the closet.

Living in the closet is a state of constant performance. It’s the "quiet" stress of:

• Filtering every sentence before you speak.
• Monitoring your body language.
• Losing the chance to be a messy, "normal" teenager because you had to be "perfect" to stay safe.

 
When we talk about intersectionality, we acknowledge that for many, "coming out" isn't just about sexuality—it’s about potentially losing their only safety nets in communities that are already marginalized.
 
Healing means: Giving your inner child the permission to stop performing. You don’t have to be perfect to be worthy of safety.
 
If you would like to explore this more, you can book online for an initial telephone conversation with me. Then, if you are ready, we can look at booking an initial assessment.
 
I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Chris Warren-Dickins
Psychotherapist in New Jersey and the United Kingdom