Angela Shankman, LCSW
Agoura Hills, California
VerifiedFeaturedTelehealth Available
My Approach to Therapy
Pronouns: she they
It's time to finally find a therapist who understands the depth of your queer experience.
Maybe you:
+ Are looking for support in exploring your queer identity
+ Need support figuring out how to come out to your loved ones or community
+ Want to process your trauma related to your queer experience, such as trauma from bullying, rejection or estrangement
+ Have been out for a while and are comfortable in your identity, but just don't want to have to explain the whole queer thing to a therapist while exploring other topics in therapy
All of this and more is welcome here. I'm Angela, a queer identified trauma therapist who specializes in supporting highly sensitive and empathic members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Wherever you are in your queer journey, I'm here to help you to better understand your past, and help you release the weight of your trauma and life's challenges so you can move forward.
To help you reach your therapy goals, I combine Compassionate Inquiry (a somatic therapy approach), IFS (parts work), and an intersectional social justice lens. Some days you may be interested in doing more of a deep dive, and other days you may just need a space to process out loud. I'm here with you at your desired pace each time we meet!
I take a relational approach in working with my clients, meaning I bring my own humanity into the room in order to connect with you on a human to human level. I'm walking this path of trauma healing as a queer person in this queerphobic society with you- you are not alone in this. Together we can help you to deepen your self awareness and bring more self-compassion to your experience.
If you are on the fence, feel free to check out my website gnecenter.com and my instagram @healwithgoodnature to learn more about my work. I offer free phone consultations to help us determine if we'd be a good therapeutic match.
Reach out through this profile or my website if you'd like to learn more about working together! I am looking forward to connecting with you.
My Practice & Services
In person sessions available in Agoura Hills, CA and virtual availability throughout California.
My Guiding Ethical Principles
-Safe & Comfortable Spaces to Heal
-LGBTQIA+ Identity Affirmation
-Intersectional Social Justice
-Antiracism & Collective Liberation
On the Fence About Going to Therapy?
I hear you. It can be very overwhelming to reach out for support, especially when we are used to trying to take care of things on our own. There is a part of you that wants to be supported and to heal, otherwise you wouldn't be reading this right now. You deserve your space to be seen, heard, and supported. Each session is paid for individually, with no obligation to continue if you decide I am not your right fit. I'd like to support you in getting what you need, whether it is under my care or with someone else!
My View on the Nature of 'Disorders'
In some ways, our society is so sick that we have decided to call messages from our mind and body "symptoms". This has a negative connotation and fuels stigma and self judgment, as if your mind and body aren't supposed to communicate with you.
If your mind and body are experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, pain, or something else our society jumps to calling pathological, take a break for a minute. These mind and body experiences do not come from nowhere, they are a signal for an unmet need.
Your anxiety may be a sign you need help.
Your depression may be a sign you need more meaningful connection in your life.
Your pain may be a sign that your body isn't being used in a way that works for it.
Your trauma may be a sign you still need help recovering.
Instead of judging or pathologizing your experiences, start asking yourself what you need. And if you need help figuring that out, reach out for support.
Nothing is wrong with you. You are just receiving signals as to what needs attention.
Expertise & Specialties
Age Groups I Work With
TeensAdults
Groups I Work With
I specialize in working with highly sensitive and empathic members of the LGBTQIA+ community who have histories of trauma or big life challenges who want to understand more deeply why they feel and behave the way that they do to deepen self awareness and self compassion.
Therapy Services & Specialties
Concerns & Challenges Addressed
AnxietyDepressionFamily ProblemsGender DysphoriaLGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) IssuesMulticultural ConcernsPerfectionismPolyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships
Therapeutic Approaches & Evidence-Based Methods
Animal and Equine Assisted PsychotherapiesInternal Family Systems (IFS)Mindfulness-Based InterventionsPerson-Centered Therapy (Rogerian Therapy)
Industries & Communities
BIPOCEntertainment IndustryLGBTQ+Self-Employed and Freelance Professionals
Location & Contact
Primary Office
Address provided to in person clients
Agoura Hills, California, 91301