Diversity Rules Magazine

Jake Myers is the founder and CEO of LGBTQ Thera- py Space, the first LGBTQ-owned and operated on- line therapy pla orm designed for LGBTQ+ clients. A Licensed Marriage and Family Thera- pist who recently relocated from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale, Flor- ida when his own prac ce moved on- line, Myers is dedi- cated to providing an affirma ve and welcoming space for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples to navigate life's challenges. He graduated from An och University Los Angeles with a master's degree in clinical psychol- ogy and a special- iza on in LGBT Affirma ve Psy- chotherapy. Myers writes a column, "Ask Jake," for Queerty, in addi on to other mental health-related topics. LGBTQ Therapy Space, the first LGBTQ-owned and operated na onal online therapy pla orm designed specifically for the LGBTQ+ community, launched Au- gust 31. The pla orm connects LGBTQ+ clients seek- ing quality individual or couples counseling services with local licensed therapists who have first-hand knowledge of LGBTQ+ challenges and experiences. The user-friendly online pla orm provides an au- then c, judgment-free space to help clients navigate a wide variety of challenges, including issues that dis- propor onately affect members of the LGBTQ+ com- munity such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse. Therapists also work with clients to help them navi- gate unique LGBTQ+ experiences, such as coming out to family and friends, transi oning, exploring complex rela onship dynamics and addressing ha- rassment in the workplace. LGBTQ Therapy Space provides quality 50-minute online video sessions, versus the less personal text message check-ins offered by some other telether- apy pla orms, enabling clients to enjoy the benefits of tradi onal in-person therapy sessions from the comfort and safety of their homes. Convenient features like remote therapy sessions, quick and efficient therapist matching, advanced ap- pointment scheduling capabili es, streamlined pay- ment systems and free therapy consulta ons also help clients save valuable me. Jake Myers, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), founded LGBTQ Therapy Space to provide quality and accessible mental health and counseling services to all members of the LGBTQ+ community. As a therapist and gay man, he recognized a severe lack of access to LGBTQ+ therapists and resources na onwide, promp ng him to launch the first tele- health pla orm of its kind. "For healing to really take place, we need to feel com- pletely safe, accepted and seen by a therapist," My- ers, founder and CEO of LGBTQ Therapy Space, said. "Having an LGBTQ-affirma ve therapist available to someone in a big city like Miami or a smaller town like Fresno is impera ve for an LGBTQ+ person to gain the most from their work in therapy. However, it can be difficult for LGBTQ+ people to find licensed therapists in their towns or ci es who truly under- stand what they are going through." Approximately 56 percent of LGBTQ+ people have experienced discrimina on while seeking health and medical treatments, ranging from the lack of proper gender designa on on intake forms to the refusal of services, according to a health report from the Na- onal LGBTQ Task Force. "LGBTQ Therapy Space is working hard to change this narra ve by making it easy for LGBTQ+ individu- als and couples to get the therapy and counseling services they've been searching for so they can live their best lives," Myers con nued. 4 | Diversity Rules Magazine | Oct 2021 LGBTQ Therapy Space Jake Myers, Founder

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