Queer Youth Info & Counseling

I hold a master's degree in counseling psychology from Naropa University and have additional training in working with youth and the LGBTQI community.

I'm a pre-licensed professional psychotherapist. I'm supervised by a licensed psychotherapist and my psychotherapy practice is registered with the State of Colorado. You can check it here.  

As a psychotherapist who specializes in working with and supporting LGBTQI youth, I make it my business to offer affirming, knowledgeable psychotherapy to LGBTQI youth.  I work with individual youth, couples and families with LGBTQI members.

My decision to create this site was driven by how little information there is for LGBTQI youth on mental wellness and counseling.  I wanted to fill this gap by providing information, support and referrals to LGBTQI youth.  Many therapists and sites are "gay-friendly" but many LGBTQI youth need more than that. With me, you'll find that I'm knowledgeable, experienced and genuinely care about and advocate for the rights and health of LGBTQI youth and their families.

I've worked with LGBTQI youth for more than 10 years:

• On a crisis line
• Facilitating support and activity groups
• Working with LGBTQI homeless youth
• Sitting on advisory committees to the city of San Francisco on LGBTQI youth needs in city services and HIV services.
• Helping start a transgender youth health clinic.
• Serving on the board of Boulder's PFLAG chapter.

I want to offer the information I have to young LGBTQI people and those who care about them, work with them, or just want to make the world a safer place for them.  If you'd like to see more information about my private practice, visit my website at www.jaymepeta.com

Please feel free to explore my site for articles and information, links and referrals. Come back often!

Therapy, friends and groups can help you get through tough changes and challenges.

It's important to know you're not alone. 

I Believe in Young People 

After more than 10 years of working for youth and youth health, I have come to believe in every young person's ability to find their own inner wisdom and intelligence, to know what they need in their lives, to form an identity based on their own truth and health, and to be strong, resilient and smart.  I bring this out in those that I work with by focusing on strengths and resources. I focus on what works for you: art, body awareness, talking, humor, working with thoughts and feelings, and sometimes just getting comfortable with -- and learning to like --  yourself!

My Approach

I see myself as an ally or assistant in helping you find out about yourself, accept yourself, and increase your strengths.  I am multi-cultural in my approach and work to find out a path that is effective for you.  I believe strongly in the need for an alliance between you and me that is based on trust.  I use humor, some body-awareness techniques, creative therapies as well as old-fashioned talking to assist my clients.  You will quickly find that I'm smart, sensible, creative and genuine.  Most of my clients experience noticeable change after even a few sessions.