Whole Congruence Therapy
Miriam Kolni, LMFT
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Being an LGBTQ+ person means that you already had to, or are going through, a journey of self-exploration, facing fears of rejection or questioning if you are "fill in the blank" enough (i.e. trans, masculine, feminine, gay, queer, passing, proud, etc.). Therapy can help you to live authentically and unlock the potential of self-love, self-respect, self-acceptance, self-dignity, and to see and be seen fully in relationships. All parts of who you are important, whether you are seeking support with understanding yourself or simply wanting a therapist who is knowledgable and addresses your therapy needs without unnecessary focus on your various identities other than being informed them as part of your context. You are not alone in this process and are deserving of simply being you.
Relationships always change through life's many transitions, stressors and challenges (finances, kids, marriage, divorce, loss, infidelity, conflict, communication, etc.). The misunderstandings and arguments often stand in for unspoken hurts or fears, desire for security, and need to feel less alone, more connected, more seen, and appreciated. My work with relationships, familial and romantic, addresses the patterns that leave them stuck in the discomfort of disconnection to find new experiences of closeness, understanding, and security. Relationships do not need to be in crisis or on the brink of breaking to benefit from therapy. Relationships and the individuals within them have the potential for more security, understanding, and clearer communication.
You do not have to deal with whatever is going on all alone. Therapy is a safe, non-nonjudgmental, place to let down your guard, be seen, get an outside perspective from a trained professional, and face the obstacles that are keeping you feeling stuck. Whether you are feeling down, depressed, anxious, angry, scared, not feeling, or simply want to feel better, you are in the right place. Taking the steps to recognize that you may need some extra help and seeking a therapist takes a lot of courage and intention, and also demonstrates your hopefulness, willingness, and readiness for change.
Relationships and Marriage
LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy
Individual Therapy
Services and Specialties
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We are all interconnected and impacted by each other, especially by important relationships. Family Therapy brings multiple perspectives and contexts into the same space, concentrating efforts to resolve problems and reach new solutions together. The family is the client, no one person is to blame, and all members are important in achieving change, even if not everyone can attend. I use a Family Therapy perspective with all clients to find new ways to understand, communicate, and connect. Family Therapy provides the space for creating new experiences of each other, to better support individuals, build closer bonds, set clearer boundaries, and assist parents to be on the same team.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy) is a transformative therapy that assists your brain in its natural healing and learning process. It has a broad range of applications including mental health diagnoses (e.g. depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders, etc.), pain, weight challenges, performance anxiety, phobias, fears, panic, and nightmares. I utilize EMDR to facilitate client growth especially when they are feeling stuck and weighed down by known/unknown forces in themselves, and have observed powerful changes. Everyone experiences difficult events in their lives whether they are aware or not. EMDR therapy works to free you from the emotional charge stemming from these events that color how you perceive and interact with the world around you.
Gender identity is part of your sense of self, and is unique for every person. Understanding, accepting, and living as yourself can be a challenging and scary process when navigating labels, social expectations, and fears. Your gender is 100% valid and integral to your experience, whether you want help with: exploring your identity, getting support letters for affirming care, supporting your child or a family member, or being treated as a full person going through everyday problems.
EMDR
Family Therapy
Gender Identity
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Online therapy (aka telehealth or tele-mental health) provides the opportunity to access therapy with me from anywhere in the state of Texas. Whether at home or in your office, there is no need to plan for drive time, deal with traffic, or leave the comfort of your space. Online video sessions are done over a HIPAA secure platform, and all you need is your device and a wifi signal. To access your online therapy sessions, simply login to your secure client portal and join the session at your scheduled time. Your therapist will see that you are waiting and will be able to start the session. Should we have any technical difficulties, I will contact you over the phone to troubleshoot.
When seeking gender-affirming surgeries, and/or name or gender marker changes, letters from a therapist may be required by your surgeon or the court. I want to support you in getting the care and documentation you need to feel the most authentic and comfortable. I utilize the Gender ASSET (Affirmative Supportive Surgery Evaluation Tool) to do a full biopsychosocial assessment to better understand how I can support you in accessing the care you are seeking, assist you in making informed decisions about your care, and prepare for the best possible outcomes for your recovery. This evaluation can be done separate from or part of ongoing therapy.
The questions about having kids or raising children are numerous. The fertility journey can be one filled with disappointment, sadness, anger, fear, conflict and distance between partners, excitement, and joy. When having kids occurs in ways that are unexpected, difficult, or require extra steps and resources, wanting to be a parent can impact all areas of life. Seeking help can alleviate some of the pressure, allow you to openly express what you are going through, and find new ways (or rediscover old ones) to relate to yourself and your partner. Once parents, new unknowns and challenges emerge, and professional help can assist you in your goal of raising kids to become good humans.
