The Optimist

Using psychology to support and affirm the LGBTQ+ community.

Body Image

Acceptance Can Provide Relief for Body Image-Related Disorders

Tom Parsons, MSW, LICSW on March 8, 2022

Fighting one's negative body image can backfire. Learn how acceptance can offer a new approach and provide relief.

Fighting one's negative body image can backfire. Learn how acceptance can offer a new approach and provide relief.

Health

LGBTQ+ Isolation Is a Public Health Problem

Tom Parsons, MSW, LICSW on December 7, 2021

LGBTQ+ individuals are losing community spaces and may be facing increased mental and physical health problems as a result.

LGBTQ+ individuals are losing community spaces and may be facing increased mental and physical health problems as a result.

Trauma

How Traumatic Invalidation Harms the LGBTQ+ Community

Tom Parsons, MSW, LICSW on October 1, 2021

Unlike normal invalidation, traumatic invalidation causes lasting harm and changes the way we interact with the world.

Unlike normal invalidation, traumatic invalidation causes lasting harm and changes the way we interact with the world.