Affirming Psychological Services

07/24/2025

New on the Blog: Sustainable Self-Care That Works in Real Life

For International Self-Care Day, we're shifting the conversation.

If you're feeling burned out, overwhelmed, or like self-care just isn't made for people like you—this post is for you.

We’re breaking down what sustainable self-care actually looks like when you’re exhausted, overcommitted, and out of capacity. No wellness trends. No guilt. Just real strategies that meet you where you are.

Read the full blog here:
https://affirmingpsychologicalservices.com/f/sustainable-self-care-how-to-show-up-when-you%E2%80%99re-burned-out

If you're looking for permission to do less—and a reminder that you still deserve care—start here.

By, Dr. Katie Moore, PsyD

07/22/2025

What if self-care wasn’t just about bubble baths and boundaries—but about staying connected to your values when the world feels heavy?

For those who care deeply, give generously, and fight for change, burnout can feel inevitable. But caring for yourself isn’t a distraction from justice—it’s part of it.
'
We’re redefining self-care as a practice of sustainability, resistance, and renewal.
Because the work you’re doing matters—and so do you.

Read the full post at https://affirmingpsychologicalservices.com/f/redefining-self-care-as-a-justice-practice

By, Dr. Katie Moore, PsyD

07/20/2025

Advocating, protesting, educating, surviving. It’s a lot to hold. And it’s okay if you’re feeling worn out.
⁠
With International Self-Care Day coming up on July 24th, we’re taking a deeper look at what real self-care means, especially for those doing the heavy emotional lifting.

💜 You deserve rest that restores, not just rest that keeps you going.
⁠
🧠 Self-Care for Activists: A Mental Health Survival Guide is now live on the blog. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, heavy, or soul-tired, this one’s for you.
⁠
🌿 Read it now at https://affirmingpsychologicalservices.com/f/self-care-for-activists-a-mental-health-survival-guide

By Dr. Katie Moore, PsyD

07/16/2025

Thinking about therapy, but unsure where to start?
We’ve got answers.

You don’t need to be in crisis to seek support. You don’t need a diagnosis (but your insurance may require one if they will be paying for your services). And you’re allowed to switch therapists if something doesn’t feel right.

At Affirming Psychological Services, we make mental health care accessible, inclusive, and affirming. Our virtual therapy services are available throughout California, and we’re here to walk with you—wherever you are in your journey.

✨ Swipe through to learn more about starting therapy—and reach out when you’re ready.
We’re here for you. 💚

07/09/2025

Longer days are supposed to feel lighter, but for many of us, the extra daylight, disrupted routines, and pressure to "have fun" can create burnout, low mood, or anxiety. If you’re feeling sluggish, irritable, or just off, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to push through it by yourself.

At Affirming Psychological Services, we offer both virtual therapy across California and in-person sessions at our Irvine office. Whether you’re dealing with the summer slump, anxiety, identity stress, or burnout, we’re here to help you reconnect with yourself in a supportive, affirming space.

Struggling with the summer slump? Let’s talk. Click the link in our bio or send us a DM to schedule your first session today. 💚🌞

06/30/2025

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to start therapy—this is it.

At Affirming Psychological Services, we provide LGBTQIA+ affirming, trauma-informed therapy that centers you. No judgment. No assumptions. No need to educate your therapist just to feel safe.

We’re here to support your healing, your identity, your growth; and we accept insurance to make that care more accessible.

💚 We currently accept:
Anthem, Aetna, Optum, United Healthcare, UMR, Blue Shield, Magellan, and Cigna/Evernorth.

Therapy should be affirming and attainable.

🔗 Book a free 15-minute consultation today.
📍 Virtual care across California
| Link in bio

06/28/2025

Pride Month is ending, but our commitment to LGBTQIA+ care is just as strong on July 1 as it was on June 1.

At Affirming Psychological Services, we don’t just celebrate Pride—we live it. In our sessions. In our training. In how we hold space for joy, grief, and everything in between.

To our clients: thank you. You’ve let us witness your growth, your truth, and your healing—and we don’t take that lightly.

Affirming care isn’t neutral. It’s intentional. It’s informed. It’s resistance.
And it doesn’t end with a rainbow graphic.

💚 Pride lives here—every single day.

06/26/2025

Affirming care isn’t a buzzword here—it’s the foundation of how we work.

At Affirming Psychological Services, our clinicians receive training grounded in LGBTQIA+ history, identity development theory, and models like the Cass Identity Model and the Minority Stress Model.

Why? Because our clients deserve more than tolerance—they deserve care that understands the systems they’re navigating, the identities they hold, and the strengths they bring into the room.

This is what affirming therapy really looks like.

06/24/2025

Summer break isn’t always a break—especially for LGBTQIA+ teens. Without school, clubs, or affirming peers, some teens end up spending more time in environments where they don’t feel fully seen.

Here are 3 ways you can support a teen navigating their identity at home this summer—whether you're a parent, caregiver, sibling, or chosen family:

Respect their privacy.

Let them lead the pace of the conversation.

Keep affirming, even when things feel quiet.

Sometimes it’s not about saying the perfect thing. It’s about showing up with calm, steady support. That’s what affirmation looks like.

06/23/2025

🌈 Teamwork, Creativity, and Pride! 🎨💚

At Affirming Psychological Services, we believe that affirming care starts with an affirming team. This weekend, we gathered for a joyful teambuilding night full of laughter, connection, creativity, and, of course, colorful flowers and paint-by-numbers magic.

Surrounded by rainbow blooms, community, and Pride decorations, we honored the beauty of showing up authentically, not just for our clients, but for one another. From “Be Proud of Who You Are” banners to heartfelt conversations and shared snacks, the night was a powerful reminder of what makes our team so special.

Here’s to celebrating our values through action, building trust with one another, and creating space where everyone belongs—inside and outside the therapy room.

06/22/2025

For many LGBTQIA+ folks, summer brings transitions that can feel heavy: leaving affirming spaces, returning to unsupportive environments, starting over somewhere new. The grief, anxiety, and identity shifts are real—and valid.

If you're feeling off this season, you're not alone. You haven’t lost yourself—you’re navigating change.

💻 Read the blog: https://bit.ly/LGBTSummer
📲 Save + share with someone who needs this today.

06/20/2025

🌈 We asked our team: Who in the LGBTQIA+ community inspires you? From bold historical figures to brave clients showing up authentically in therapy, their answers remind us of the power of visibility, courage, and connection. 💬

✨ Swipe through to see what moves us—and share your own source of inspiration in the comments. We’d love to hear it. 💚