Mari Alschuler, LISW

During a recent therapy session, I had a troubling experience with this therapist (Dr. Mari L Alschuler) who claimed to specialize in LGBTQ+ issues. Throughout the session, the therapist repeatedly misgendered me and referred to me by my dead name without asking for my preferred pronouns. This made me feel disrespected and invalidated, particularly because I identify as non-binary. In addition, I felt that the therapist's approach was very invalidating and black and white, which was concerning. Despite claiming to be holistic, the therapist did not fully recognize or accept the validity of my non-binary identity because I was not following a particular idea of transitioning that involved taking hormones. I sensed that the therapist did not fully understand or accept the diversity of experiences within the transgender community and was not open to exploring different options for treatment or expression. Furthermore, the therapist kept pushing the idea of taking medication or seeing a psychiatrist for psych meds, even though she was claiming to be holistic. I felt as though she was not considering alternative treatments or approaches and was relying too heavily on medication as a solution to my concerns. This made me feel uncomfortable and unsure about the therapist's expertise in addressing my needs. Lastly, I also felt that the therapist was not trauma-informed, which could be problematic for individuals who have experienced trauma related to their gender identity. This made me feel frustrated and unheard, as though my experience and preferences were being dismissed. Overall, I believe that therapy should provide a safe and respectful space for discussing sensitive topics like gender identity. While I am disappointed by my experience with this therapist, I am now considering seeking out a different therapist who has experience working with non-binary individuals and is knowledgeable about trauma-informed care. I may reach out to LGBTQ+ organizations or online support groups for recommendations or resources to help me find a therapist who is a better fit.