Neutral Ground Counseling Group

?? In this season of gratitude, we are most thankful for YOU, our dedicated community. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Neutral Ground Counseling Group! ??

It’s a month where thankfulness is on all our minds, so here’s a quick journal prompt for you: Write out something from your past you’re grateful for, something from the present moment, and something you hope you’ll be able to be grateful for in the future? Share your answers in the comments, we’d love to hear about what you’re grateful for!

What makes someone “found family?” Found family, or family of choice, are the people in your life who are not blood relatives, but are close to you the way family might be. You care about each other, offering support and togetherness through thick and thin. There is magic in found family. ?? They accept you as you are ?? They help you when times are tough ?? They’re people you can spend holidays with and actually enjoy the experience ?? They make your life rich with happiness. Who is in your found family!?

While we hope every family is wholeheartedly supportive of their LGBTQIAP+ family members, it is not always the case. When you come out as part of the LGBTQIAP+ community, your family may change how they treat you. This can be particularly hard to grapple with during the holiday season, and nobody should have to go through that kind of experience alone. At Neutral Ground Counseling Group, we offer affirming therapy for LGBTQIAP+ people, and we have specific experience and expertise that allows us to offer helpful, affirming support around relational and family changes. You don’t have to carry these feelings, whatever they are, alone. See how we can help you, here: https://lnkd.in/eBdiC34U

What can you do to help your teen this holiday season, when you find out their other relatives aren’t supportive of who they are? ?? Acknowledge your teen’s hurt, and recognize how they’re treated isn’t right. ?? Create your own celebrations that include people who do support your teen. ?? Allow your teen to opt out of time with relatives who aren’t supportive. ?? Speak up for your teen in the moment! ?? Check your own behavior; are you making excuses or not being supportive yourself? Holiday seasons are full of family and friends, and this holiday season is a great time to start making sure the family and friends your teen sees are the supportive ones. If your teen is in need of extra support this holiday season, see how NGCG can help here: https://lnkd.in/gbSPC2xq

Today, the Transgender Day of Remembrance, NGCG encourages you to remember those lost to us from anti-transgender violence this year. These unique, wonderful lives cut short are an enormous loss for all of us. We will always stand with the transgender community, and we will always condemn anti-trans violence. We hope you will stand with us, today, and every day.???

So you want to be a better ally? Wonderful! Welcome to the movement to support trans people! There are so many small, but significant, changes you can make in your daily approach to the world that can make you a strong ally for all our trans neighbors. How do you show you’re an ally to trans people? Share below!

????? Please don’t ever let the narrow minds of others dim your shine. Too many people in this world tell trans people they shouldn’t exist. We are so glad you exist, and we encourage you to share who you are with those around you. The world is a better place with you, living as authentically as you can, in it! ?????

Welcome to Transgender Awareness Week! This is a week set aside to bring awareness to the joyous contributions trans people make to our world, and to call attention to the ongoing injustices trans people face in our society. We urge you to take today to share your story as a transgender person, to listen to transgender people as they share with all of us their personal stories, and to stand with those fighting against discrimination that transgender people face all too often. We’ve come far as a society toward acceptance and celebration of transgender people, but we have far to go, and this week is a great week to learn, listen, share, and take a stand, declaring your support!

This Veteran's Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to all those who have served and sacrificed for our country. Your courage and commitment inspire us every day. At Neutral Ground Counseling Group, we're here to support veterans and their families, offering a space where your mental health journey is honored with respect and care. Thank you for your service. ??