How to Know if You’re Bisexual (According to Experts)

The Editors at UPJOURNEY
11/03/2022

Wondering if you might be bi? Check out this Upworthy article featuring Tavi, Dr. Erika Dawkins, and more.

“First, a hot tip is that the term bisexual (bi) has always been used by some to describe attraction to people of many genders, not just two… Another fun fact: You can also experience romantic and sexual feelings as a spectrum when you identify as bisexual. It doesn’t mean you’re equally attracted to each gender… And let’s be clear that it’s a stereotype (with maybe some biphobia thrown in) that bisexual people are more likely to cheat on a partner or are attracted to everyone all the time. Being bi isn’t a phase, and bi folks are still bi, even if they’re in a long-term monogamous relationship.”

If you’re questioning your sexual orientation, feeling confused or curious, it’s never too late to expand our understanding of who we are! Read the full article for things to consider on your journey: https://upjourney.com/how-to-know-if-you-are-bisexual

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Accessibility Statement

She/Her/Hers
LMSW

Jennifer Blue

I am a transgender, mostly gay, white woman who is passionate about mental health care for the queer, trans, polyamorous/ENM, and kinky communities.

I’m a graduate of the MSW program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. My hobbies include writing, cooking, nerding out about animation, tabletop roleplaying games, and video games.

What it’s like to work with me: I firmly believe that a caring and supportive therapeutic relationship is the most important part of healing. I prefer an eclectic approach, drawing tools from different sources depending on the needs you express instead of sticking to one theoretical approach, because you are the expert on you.

Trauma Informed Therapy: My primary background is in trauma-informed approaches to cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing, as well as some work in parts therapy/IFS, DBT, hypnotherapy, and narrative therapy. I also have experience in crisis counseling. We can discuss which approaches might work best for you and use informed consent in choosing modalities. If you’re especially interested in any IFS, DBT, hypnotherapy, etc please let me know.

Couples and Relationship Therapy: My approach to working with couples and polycules is based on moving past blame and being “right” to responsibility and cooperation. I believe that we heal the world by healing each other and heal each other by healing the world, and view therapy as a tool to accomplish that healing and build the resilience and strength to find and grow the good in this world.

Therapeutic D&D and Gaming: I am also a certified Therapeutic Game Master, and proud to be able to offer therapeutic D&D groups that use gameplay and roleplaying to work on a variety of issues, including social functioning/anxiety, exploring identity, trauma, and phobias. I am also able to bring elements of this approach into individual therapy for interested clients. I am also working to provide groups using other tabletop roleplaying games in the future.

Gender Identity: Whether you’re considering and exploring your own gender identity or expression, or are comfortably situated as gender expansive, trans, nonbinary, or another gender and just want a therapist who has some shared lived experience there, I’d love to work with you.

Ages: Teens and Adults
Supervisor: Tavi Hawn

She/Her or They/Them
LCPC

Kendra Smith

I have over 20 years of experience being a therapist and counselor educator. I have a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies. Additionally, I have specialized training and experience in Multichannel Eye Movement Integration, mindfulness, clinical supervision, and distance-based counseling. I am licensed in both DC and Maryland so can see people who live in either of these locations.

When not working, I fill my time with fiber arts, exploring thrift stores, reading, and hanging with my cat and dog. I’m white and non-binary. My pronouns are she/her or they/them.

Culturally Affirmative Therapy with Deaf and Hard of Hearing People: I have extensive experience working with Deaf community and am familiar with Deaf culture. I’m bilingual in English and American Sign Language and one of my joys is assisting Deaf and hard of hearing individuals with life transitions, trauma recovery, and relationship challenges.

Healthy Relationships: One area of interest for me is in assisting people who want to improve their relationships. Whether you want support in parenting, building friendships, improving romantic partnerships, or finding connection with, and as, elders, I’m here to provide encouragement, feedback and support in understanding relationship patterns and styles. We can work on this individually, or in couples or family configurations.

Anxiety and Trauma: Anxiety can show up as worry, repetitive thoughts, irritability, tension, stomach pain or nausea, and a number of other ways. Trauma can manifest as having nightmares, staying alert and on edge, reliving past events, chronic illness or pain, dissociation or numbing, difficulty in various types of relationships, along with other symptoms. It can sometimes feel like there’s no hope for changing these things or living without them. I believe you can find relief from anxiety or trauma responses and am here to offer possibility of a new way of being and concrete healing strategies.

Parents of Trans and Gender Expansive Individuals: Parents usually want to be supportive and affirming but sometimes aren’t sure how. They may want information, resources, or a place to process their own emotions as changes take place. I’m here to help parents adjust and maintain a close relationship with their child.

He/They
Ph.D.

Parker T. Hurley

Parker T. Hurley, Ph.D., is a queer, Black, non-binary, Trans activist and healer justice practitioner based in Durham, NC. Dr. Hurley is available for virtual trainings, presentations, and consultation through Hawn Therapy and Consulting. In the future, he may be available for in person trainings through travel costs will be factored into pricing.

Upon graduating with a Master’s from Hunter College School of Social Work with a concentration of community organizing in May 2006, he has provided advocacy and support within LGBTQQ communities to individuals living with major mental illness, people of color, youth and seniors. Prior to enrolling at University of North Carolina-Greensboro to pursue a doctorate degree in Educational Studies with a concentration in Higher Education in 2009, Parker spent three years as the Member Services/Outreach and Education Coordinator of the Rainbow Heights Club (RHC). Located in Brooklyn, New York, RHC is the only government funded psychosocial and advocacy organization specifically meeting the needs of LGBTQ individuals living with severe mental illness.

He continued this work in North Carolina as the LGBTQ Coordinator at Guilford College and directed The Bayard Rustin Center for LGBTQA Education, Activism and Reconciliation. In addition to being the co-advisor for the local LGBT Youth Group in Greensboro, NC (Youth Safe), Dr. Hurley also had the opportunity to serve nationally as the Deputy Director of the Trans People of Color Coalition, and locally as the co-founder of Queer People of Color Collective based in Greensboro, NC; as well as NC Trans Pride in Action, an annual event lifting up the histories, lives and experiences of trans and gender non-conforming black, indigenous people of color (BIPOC).

Parker currently works at The Radical Healing Center located in Durham, NC as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) providing therapy, support and psycho education groups that center queer and trans BIPOC. Parker’s work is trauma-informed, person-centered and ever evolving as he trains to incorporate techniques and skills in the tradition of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Horticultural Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (and eventually Somatic Healing) into his work. Parker’s passions lie within the healing and transformation of our homes, schools and communities through self-care, radical love, building deep connections to nature and working exhaustively at the intersections of all social justice movements.

She/Her
Practice Director, Therapist

Catrin Griffths

I’m an islander in Texas with Welsh and English roots. I am happiest when I am hanging out with my daughter, husband and 3 dogs who are never disappointed to see me.

I am most passionate about creating safe and affirming environments where people can feel comfortable, feel heard and feel seen. This is essential for growth and change. I advocate for vulnerable and disenfranchised groups, including 2SLGBTQIA+ folks. When I am not doing that, I like to read, ride my bike, spend time in the theatre and hang out on the beach. I love music and the arts.

I have a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Sam Houston State University. I have served as a Licensed Professional Counselor for over 25 years. I am also licensed to supervise therapists as they begin their helping journeys. Clinical supervision and teaching are my favorite vocations. I have taught all kinds of subjects from Psychology classes at Junior College, “Lunch and Learns” at large corporations to spin classes at the gym! I have never learned more than when I am teaching.

I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Informed Treatment, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and more. I believe in a holistic approach. When we want to learn, grow or solve problems we must look at ourselves from all angles. We must consider the well- being of the mind, body and spirit.

I am an experienced mental health professional who has held leadership positions in Operations and Business Development in various behavioral healthcare settings, most recently as a Director at The Menninger Clinic.

Surviving Corporate Culture When You’re Not An Old White Man

If you’re working in a corporate or professional setting that tends to be dominated by white men, there are so many challenges you have to navigate. I can support you in kicking imposter syndrome to the curb, honing your negotiation skills, and resolving conflict in the workplace.

Stressed Out, Working Parents

Parenting these days is no joke! Whether you’re overwhelmed with the “under 5” years and trying to juggle everyone’s needs or trying to figure out what in the world is going on in adolescent universe these days, don’t try to do it alone! I will make you laugh which on some days is therapy in and of itself, but also be on your side as you strive to be the best parent you can be in the midst of these times.

Narcissistic Abuse Recovery

I can help you get a narcissist out of your life (and if that’s not possible learn strategies to minimize the damage). We’ll prioritize your healing, self discovery, and re-building your trust in yourself. And then we’ll work on how to not get involved with another narcissist! We all have core wounds. Some of those may make us susceptible, so let’s address them so you don’t find yourself in a repeat situation.

Open Relationships and Polyamory

I enjoy working with relationships and in particular, helping people who are considering opening their marriage or those who are in polycules and wanting to maintain and improve relationship dynamics. We’ll identify boundaries, communication styles, coping with the challenging aspects while appreciating the expansiveness, and more.

Placement Consultant (Some call it Educational Consultant) For Families of Teens

I work with families to find the best treatment or educational options for the young person in their life who is struggling and needs extra support, whether a higher level of care treatment plan or specialized educational setting or program. I have a lot of knowledge of programs around the country. You’re scared or frustrated and don’t know where to start but I can do a lot of the research for you, even coordinating an admission to a program. I want to help you avoid wasting your time and money or ending up with a placement that’s not a good fit. Let’s talk!

She/Her
Therapist, LGPC, ATR-P

Lisa Srok

I am a neurodivergent artist with over 6 years of sobriety.

I love live music, creating abstract art, being outside, taking long walks, finding cool rocks, and spending time with my sweet pup.

I am dedicated to recognizing and honoring the intersectionality of identity. My work is informed by the integrative belief that personal well-being encompasses all parts of self, which includes mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health. I am passionate about holding space to share the therapeutic qualities of art and offering unwavering support to individuals on their journey of personal growth.

I earned my Master’s of Art in Art Therapy with an emphasis on counseling from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and have my Bachelor’s of Fine Art in Painting and Drawing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. I am credentialed with the Art Therapy Credentials Board as a Registered Provisional Art Therapist and am a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor.

For my thesis, I conducted qualitative research to evaluate the professional experience of credentialed art therapists using art therapy as treatment for nonbinary people with disordered substance use.

My professional work and personal inspirations are rooted in embracing the intersectionality of identity, exploring new perspectives, and finding meaningful connections.

My theoretical orientation is built on a humanistic, client-centered approach.

Art is a form of self-validation. My introspective art making is driven by my need to process, my captivation with contemplation, and my desire to understand.

When used in a therapeutic setting, art-making is about the process, not the product. The ability to find solace and strength through art-making and personal reflection is a valuable, empowering experience. It does not require an artistic background, technical skills, or extensive knowledge of art. Art is about acceptance and representing our truth.

Through contemplative actions such as art-making we can discover purpose, create meaning, and gain insight. During the process of creative expression we are picking up the pieces of life and discovering how they fit together, how they relate to each other, and how we relate to them. When we need to understand ourselves, our creations contain the explanation.

Aside from art therapy modalities. I also provide talk therapy in the form of Couples/Relationship Therapy, Individual therapy, Child/Adolescent Therapy.

Supervisor: Danielle Gleber

She/Her
MSW, LCSW-C

Emily Angerhofer

I am a busy mom of 2 boys, an absurd dog, and a grumpy old cat. My hobbies include knitting and crochet, spending time with friends and family, and reading. I have an MSW from the University of Maryland School of Social Work and 12 years of clinical experience. Most of that time was spent in Baltimore City/County schools working with children and families. I spent two years with the UMD Social Work Community Outreach Center supporting Community Schools, and most recently in private practice. This experience taught me the importance of cultural humility, restorative justice practices, and how to build community wherever I go. My practice is inclusive, anti-racist, and I am passionate about healing generational curses. I have supported and been a part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community all my life, and pride myself on being a judgement free zone.

I am an eclectic, client-lead, strengths-based therapist interested in supporting the full family system: couples, families, and individuals across the lifespan. Utilizing a mix of therapeutic techniques such as narrative, expressive arts, play, radical acceptance, and mindfulness practices, I meet my clients where they are, and support them along their journey. Whether managing anxiety, depression, or sorting through past trauma, we will encounter these parts of you with openness and compassion. With you as the expert on your experience, I want to work with you on goals and strategies which will aid you in finding balance and contentment.

Supporting families with special needs or considerations
I have a special interest in supporting the parents and siblings of children with special needs, and diverse identities. As mom of two kids on the autism spectrum, and working with a diverse clientele, I have unique insight into this experience. My goal is to provide a safe space to vent and explore ways to support and further understand our loved ones.

Understanding and loving our neuro-types
The neuro-diversity umbrella is a fascinating and giant sphere of different needs and superhuman abilities! As a neuro spicy cis-woman co-parenting with a neuro-spicy cis-man and mother of autistic children, I have spent years supporting my own family as we navigate our own experiences and unique needs. I have expanded this research and experience to support individuals, families, and couples with different neuro-types communicate, support, and love themselves and each other fully.

Healthy families, together and apart
Your partnership, your family, your needs are unique and special. I am sex-positive, kink and polyamory affirming, and am dedicated to supporting healthy and safe intimate knowledge and connections for my clients. I have worked with partners to deepen their connection, expand their communication skills, and provide a united front against those that would challenge their boundaries. I love helping families re-establish positive connections and move through conflict effectively. I have also supported couples as they consciously un-couple and create positive co-parenting arrangements for themselves and their children.

Stressed, overwhelmed parents about to lose their $%&
Parenting is hard, constantly evolving, beautiful, and exhausting. You are not alone, and I am here to shoulder the load with you. We will look at barriers to self-care, resources to put in place to expand your support system, and ways to connect with other parents. Baltimore has so much to offer children and families, and your wellbeing is paramount for a healthy family system.

She/Her
LCSW-C

Danielle Gleber

My academic journey began with my bachelor’s degree in psychology and family studies from Towson University, followed by my master’s degree in clinical social worker, specializing in behavioral health, from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. My approach centers on building a warm, collaborative relationship with you while emphasizing your strengths and priorities. I value the importance of embracing diverse identities and aim to always be cognizant of intersectionality of identities, especially those which have been historically and continually marginalized including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and many other rich communities.

I applaud your decision to prioritize your mental health, and I look forward to being here to support you every step of the way. I am genuinely looking forward to embarking on this transformative journey with you towards healing and personal growth.

Pre-Teen, Teen Therapy: Adolescent years are challenging to say the least and pre-teens and teens today are navigating a lot. I’m here to support youth and their families in traveling these years as smoothly as possible.

Financial Social Work: I am certified in financial social work, enabling me to address financial stressors, particularly among women and BIPOC communities. We all have thoughts and feelings related to money, based on our backgrounds and how we’re socialized. These play into how we manage our finances. Let’s work together to build your confidence and change your relationship to your finances.

LGBTQIA+ : As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I am genuinely excited to share my expertise and walk alongside you through life’s twists and turns. My aim is to offer a caring hand in navigating the complexities of identity, psychiatric challenges, transitions, and everything in between. Embracing my identity within the LGBTQIA+ community, I am deeply committed to delivering affirming care to all, understanding the intricacies of sexual orientation, gender identity, transitions, and affirming relationships with polyamorous or kink dynamics.

Gender Affirming Therapy: As part of the LGBTQIA+ community, offering gender affirming care is very important to me. I want my gender expansive and transgender community members to feel comfortable in their therapy sessions. Whether someone of any age is considering their gender identity or expression or whether they just want to know that their therapist has knowledge of some of the things they encounter as trans folks, I strive to create the environment that they deserve. I can also help family members who are struggling with understanding or adapting, I can write gender affirming surgery letters, and am happy to talk through questions or concerns related to sexuality and sexual relationships of trans community members.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Informed Approach: Through a solution-focused therapeutic style, I can incorporate dialectical behavioral coping strategies to support your unique journey. I firmly believe that collaboration is key — I see you as the expert in your own life, and I am here to support you. I am passionate about making complex clinical jargon easier to understand, ensuring clear communication, and empowering you and your loved ones who may be new to navigating the mental health improvement process.

I am licensed in both Maryland and Virginia, however I am out of network with insurance in Virginia.

I would be a great fit for folks who live and work in both MD and VA, or students who live in one state and attend college in the other!

She/They
LCPC, Gender Therapist

Caroline Hippler

Whenever possible, I spend my time playing with my cats, reading a good book, cooking a new recipe, facilitating plant growth or exploring a found object art project.

As a therapist serving Nonbinary and Transgender clients, as well as 2SLGBTQIA+ populations broadly, I am acutely aware of the systemic, institutional barriers that continue to cause harm in people’s lives and am deeply committed to using my time in this life to improve the lived experiences of queer and transgender people.

I provide empathic client-centered counseling for anyone looking to align their lived experience more closely with their values and identities. Of all the beliefs and commitments that motivate my work, none is more important than the calling to imagine and work toward more just and equitable futures. My work is rooted in an anti-racist, intersectional, anti-oppressive frameworks. I am passionate about empowering people to listen to their own voices and live the lives they want to live. I love talking to people about gender, their identities and how the process of meaning-making impacts their lives. I provide affirming therapy for transgender and gender diverse children, adolescents and adults.

I have 8+ years of experience serving the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as a therapist and have provided training for emerging therapists and other professionals. I am a Nationally Certified Counselor, have a Master’s Degree and Education Specialist degree in Mental Health Counseling with a minor in Human Development and an undergraduate degree in Gender Studies. I have specialized training in mindfulness therapy and distance therapy.

My approach to therapy is eclectic. Every therapeutic relationship is unique and tailored to the needs of the individual. First and foremost I believe that each person is the expert in themselves. I am here to provide guidance on your journey to greater self-knowledge and self-acceptance. Together, we will decide how sessions should look for you. We will work to understand the roots of what you are experiencing and craft skillful approaches for you to take. To do this, we may borrow from several theories including: EMDR, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Existential Theory, Radical Acceptance, and Internal Family Systems Therapy. We will determine together which pieces of these, if any, will help us. Together we will work to achieve two seemingly contradictory tasks: to accept yourself as you are and to work to become more skillful and self-aware.

EMDR: We believe that trauma resides in our bodies. It can manifest in various ways through addictive behaviors, emotional upheaval, even phobias or obsessive thoughts and compulsions. Talk therapy alone is often ineffective to help us move trauma out of our bodies. EMDR is one method that can transform our responses to memories, even those from before we could talk. Caroline is trained in EMDR therapy.

How to Know if You’re Bisexual (According to Experts)

INSURANCE COVERAGE

Get In Touch

Killian McGinnis

Tavi (Tah-vee) Hawn

Jennifer Blue

Kendra Smith

Mara Thomas

Parker T. Hurley

Randall Leonard

Selima Jumarali

Shayne Couch-Murray

Alyssa Fenix

Jess Hyman

Carlyn Maia Green

Shai-Ann Karyo

Nhi Chau

Catrin Griffths

Felicia Taliaferro

Lisa Srok

Emily Angerhofer

Danielle Gleber

Caroline Hippler