Affirming Psychological Services

11/15/2025

APS turns four today. What began with one psychologist subleasing a single office has grown into a team of 14 clinicians, 4 administrative staff, and 4 supervisors who show up every day with skill, compassion, and real dedication to the people we serve.

We have supported more than a thousand Californians through trauma, identity exploration, transitions, relationships, and a wide range of mental health challenges. During that time we have expanded our services, grown our team, trained new clinicians, and continued building a space where q***r, trans, neurodivergent, and marginalized communities can feel understood and respected.

As we step into year five, you can expect continued growth, new programs, and more ways to access affirming care throughout California. We are excited for what is ahead, and we are grateful for every clinician, partner, trainee, and community member who has been part of this journey.

If you have collaborated with APS, trained with us, referred to us, or worked alongside our team, you are welcome to share your experience in the comments. Your voices help show what this community has built together.

Here is to another year of healing, growth, and community.

***raffirmingtherapy

11/01/2025

We are happy to welcome Dr. Liane Roberts to Affirming Psychological Services.

Dr. Roberts is a licensed clinical psychologist who works with children, teens, and young adults. Her approach is calm, collaborative, and centered on helping clients build emotional safety, self-understanding, and confidence. She supports clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, and identity exploration, and she integrates CBT, mindfulness, and grounding strategies into her work.

Dr. Roberts offers in-person sessions in Irvine on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and telehealth on Wednesdays and Fridays.

If someone you know is looking for a therapist who is steady, thoughtful, and affirming, Dr. Roberts is now accepting new clients.

10/27/2025

Our founder, Dr. Moore, recently joined teen podcaster and Girl Scout Gold Award candidate Stuti, on her project Haven Within to talk about healthy relationships for teens. We discussed consent, boundaries, emotional safety, and how teens can learn to recognize when a relationship feels supportive rather than confusing or draining.

Teens benefit from hearing these topics discussed directly, without judgment, and in language that respects their autonomy. Stuti is doing meaningful work by creating space for these conversations among her peers.

If you are a teen, or if you support teens as a parent, caregiver, teacher, therapist, or mentor, this may be a helpful resource to share and talk through together.

You can watch the interview by scanning the QR code on this post, or by using this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4FNYKsULIk

10/11/2025

Every person’s journey is different, and every path deserves respect and support.

Coming out can be joyful, complicated, or even unsafe, and all of those experiences are valid. Whether you’ve already shared your truth, are thinking about it, or are still holding it close, your story matters just as it is.

In our newest blog post, we explore why there’s no “right” way or timeline to come out, and how to honor each person’s unique experience.

Read it here: https://affirmingpsychologicalservices.com/blog/f/there’s-no-one-way-to-come-out-honoring-every-journey

By the Affirming Psychological Services team

09/24/2025

Boundaries Are About Connection, Not Control

Boundaries are not walls meant to push people away. They are guidelines we set for ourselves and not rules we place on others. A boundary says, “This is how I will care for myself if this situation comes up.” It does not mean, “You have to change who you are.”

Healthy boundaries can sound like:
- “I will not be checking work emails after 6 pm.”
- “I am not available to talk about that topic right now.”
- “If you raise your voice, I will pause the conversation and come back later.”

Boundaries are an effort to protect relationships, not end them. They create clarity, safety, and mutual respect. Even if someone does not like your boundary, setting it can still be an act of kindness for both you and them because it creates honesty instead of resentment.

Therapy can help you explore where boundaries feel difficult, practice setting them in safe ways, and build skills that support healthier, more authentic connections.

09/19/2025

Meet Myrna

Myrna is a warm, trauma-informed therapist at Affirming Psychological Services who creates a supportive, affirming space for children, teens, adults, and families navigating anxiety, trauma, identity, and life transitions. She is especially passionate about working with LGBTQ+ youth, multicultural and immigrant families, and neurodivergent clients, including those with Autism and ADHD.

As an Arab American and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Myrna brings both lived experience and clinical insight into her work. Her approach blends CBT, TF-CBT, and creative interventions like art therapy, mindfulness tools, and play-based techniques to help clients express emotions, build coping skills, and strengthen emotional regulation.

Myrna offers virtual therapy across California, accepts insurance, and provides a sliding scale starting at $40 to make inclusive, evidence-based care more accessible.

If you’re seeking a trauma-informed therapist who understands the intersections of identity and healing, Myrna is here to support you.

09/16/2025

Ever wonder why you shut down, panic, or overthink when stressed? That’s your nervous system working hard to keep you safe.

There are four main stress responses:
⚡ Fight → Stand your ground or push back
🏃 Flight → Avoid or escape
🤝 Fawn → Please others in order to stay safe
❄️ Freeze → Shut down or disconnect

These are natural, automatic reactions, not flaws. In therapy, you can learn to recognize your patterns and build tools that help you feel grounded and in control.

09/12/2025

Meet Eleni

Eleni is a q***r, nonbinary therapist at Affirming Psychological Services who offers a warm, collaborative, and identity-affirming space for adolescents, young adults, and adults navigating trauma, anxiety, identity development, and life transitions. They are especially passionate about supporting LGBTQ+ clients and individuals impacted by complex trauma, disconnection, or marginalization.

Eleni’s approach blends person-centered care with trauma-informed CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing, while providing practical tools for healing, emotional regulation, and self-acceptance. They offer both in-person sessions in Irvine and virtual therapy across California, accept insurance, and provide a sliding scale starting at $40 to make care more accessible.

If you’re seeking an affirming, trauma-informed therapist who will meet you with compassion and integrity, Eleni is here to support you.

09/08/2025

***Why Therapy Isn’t Just for a “Crisis”***

Many people believe therapy is something you seek only when things feel overwhelming or “bad enough.” But the truth is, therapy can be helpful at any stage of life, even when nothing feels “wrong.”

Therapy can help you:
- Understand your patterns and triggers
- Improve communication in relationships
- Process past experiences and trauma
- Explore identity and life transitions
- Build coping strategies for everyday stress

Seeking support doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with you. It means you’re choosing to care for yourself, create space for growth, and invest in your well-being.

Remember: you don’t have to wait for a crisis to start healing.

09/05/2025

Meet Lex

Lex is a q***r, genderq***r therapist at Affirming Psychological Services who creates an affirming, collaborative space for teens, young adults, and LGBTQIA+ individuals navigating anxiety, trauma, identity exploration, and relationship challenges. They approach therapy with warmth, curiosity, and respect, ensuring clients feel safe to be themselves and set the pace of their own healing.

Lex offers in-person sessions in Irvine and virtual therapy across California. Insurance is accepted, and their sliding scale starts at just $40, making affirming care more accessible.

If you’re seeking an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist who will meet you with authenticity and care, Lex is here to support you.

09/03/2025

Celebrating World Beard Day… with a twist

While today is meant to celebrate impressive facial hair, we want to talk about another kind of “beard" - a slang term that originated in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Historically, a beard refers to someone (often of a different gender) who appears to be a person’s romantic partner to hide that person’s q***r identity. This often happened when being openly LGBTQIA+ could result in discrimination, job loss, family rejection, or even danger to personal safety.

For many, having a “beard” wasn’t about deception but survival in a world shaped by compulsory heterosexuality and systemic oppression. While times have changed, understanding this term gives us a glimpse into the challenges LGBTQIA+ people have faced, and sometimes still face today.

At Affirming Psychological Services, we believe in creating safe spaces where everyone can show up authentically, without fear. By honoring this history, we take one more step toward understanding, compassion, and inclusion.

💬 Have you heard the term “beard” before? Tell us below. We’d love to know what this word has meant to you or your community.

08/29/2025

Meet Kaela

Looking for a therapist who truly understands you? Kaela is a warm, empathetic clinician at Affirming Psychological Services who creates a safe, judgment-free space for adults navigating anxiety, depression, self-doubt, and life transitions. As a therapist of Black descent, she brings cultural awareness, authenticity, and compassion into every session, helping you slow down, reconnect with yourself, and begin healing at your own pace.

She offers virtual therapy across California and in-person sessions in Irvine. Insurance is accepted, and her sliding scale starts at just $40, making quality care more accessible.

Your story matters. Your healing matters. And Kaela is here to support you.

https://affirmingpsychologicalservices.com/kaela-norris