Blog for Better Living

Navigating Relationship Pressures

By: Gregory E. Koch, Psy.D. | October 11, 2024

How Imago Relationship Therapy Empowers LGBTQ+ and Diverse Couples   As a psychologist and certified Imago Relationship Therapist, I’ve dedicated my career to helping individuals and couples navigate the complexities of love and partnership. But my journey isn’t just professional—it’s also deeply personal. My husband, José, and I are not only a gay couple, we […]

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LGBTQ+, Personal Improvement, Relationships

I’m an Accomplice

By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | June 7, 2024

Long before I was a psychologist, I was a volunteer and worked with all sorts of queer people. I remember volunteering in Hawaii almost 30 years ago, and one of the local volunteers was a trans woman. She was in the process of transitioning, and to get the “approval” of a psychiatrist to fully transition, […]

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Anxiety, Depression, LGBTQ+, Therapy

Navigating Anti-LGBTQ+ Religions

By: Gregory E. Koch, Psy.D. | July 21, 2023

Empowering Strategies for Resilience and Growth   In today’s diverse society, it is disheartening to acknowledge that certain religious beliefs continue to marginalize and discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community. Anti-gay religions have a harmful impact on the lives and relationships of gay individuals, often causing emotional distress and feelings of isolation. This article will highlight […]

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Anger, Anxiety, Bullying, LGBTQ+, Relationships, Trauma

Pride is a Drag!

By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | June 2, 2023

It’s that time of year—National LGBTQ+ Pride Month! Every year, during the month of June, the LGBTQ+ community recognizes the influence that LGBTQ+ people and allies have around the world by celebrating in a number of different ways. And this year, I’m celebrating Drag! For me, drag is fun, creative, and playful, which is how […]

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Anxiety, LGBTQ+, Personal Improvement

Coming Out as Queer on Your Terms

By: Gregory E. Koch, Psy.D. | December 30, 2022

This article is inspired by friends and clients who recently shared with me about their coming out journey. In my article Relationship Tips for Gay Men…and anyone else smart enough to read this article, I suggest that gay men “celebrate their gay” by being themself in as many spaces as possible. This article will expand […]

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Family, LGBTQ+, Relationships

Relationship Tips for Gay Men

By: Gregory E. Koch, Psy.D. | July 1, 2022

…and anyone smart enough to read this article   In 2014, I attempted my first 5-day backpacking trip. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Sir Edmund Hillary, the first mountaineer to summit Mt. Everest without supplemental oxygen, once said, “It is not the mountains we conquer but ourselves.” I remember feeling […]

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LGBTQ+, Relationships

Therapy Changes Welcomes Dr. Gregory Koch

By: Gregory E. Koch, Psy.D. | December 26, 2020

In our era of “snapshot appearances” and social media, being yourself can be hard. It isn’t easy to keep up appearances, and this takes a toll on our self-esteem and self-identity. That is why having a place where you can be yourself, let your guard down, be vulnerable, and be seen is so important. Holding […]

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Introduction, LGBTQ+, Relationships, Therapy, Trauma

Gender Identity Basics: Understanding Non-Binary, Transgender, and Gender Fluid People

By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | December 4, 2020

Chances are you will encounter someone in your life, if you haven’t already, who is non-binary, transgender, or gender fluid. Knowing what this means, and how to be respectful of people’s differences is important. Understanding these terms can be hard, especially if you are learning these concepts for the first time. This article will discuss […]

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Bullying, LGBTQ+, Relationships

Transphobia

By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | March 27, 2020

Trans folk in our country are under attack. Multiple states have tried to pass ‘bathroom bills.’ South Dakota even tried to pass a law that would imprison for up to 10 years any medical provider who assisted a minor with transitioning. Last October, Time magazine reported analyzing 10 million social media and online posts over […]

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Bullying, Depression, LGBTQ+