How do I cope with going home to a family that doesn’t accept me?
In a focused session, we plan for the moments you’re dreading: what to say, where your limits are, and how to take care of yourself while you’re there.
Holiday Focused Sessions
Short-term therapy for holiday stress
The holidays can bring up a lot: family visits, old roles, tough conversations, and pressure on your relationship. Holiday Focused Sessions give you 1 to 3 telehealth sessions to work on one specific concern, without signing up for ongoing therapy.
Length
1 to 3 sessions
Focused on one specific concern, with no commitment to ongoing therapy
Format
Telehealth
For clients located in California
For
Adults & couples
LGBTQ+ and BIPOC clients
What people often bring
Questions people bring us this time of year
Should I come out to my family over the holidays?
There’s no right timing for everyone. We can help you weigh safety, timing and who you want to tell, so the choice is yours and you feel prepared for it.
How do we stop fighting about holiday plans?
Whose family, how long, how much money: holiday plans can bring old fights to the surface. Couples sessions focus on that specific disagreement and how you talk about it.
Why do the holidays feel so lonely?
The season can make grief, distance from family or loneliness feel louder. A few sessions give you space to name what’s heavy and decide how you want to spend it.
How do I prepare for a hard conversation with my family?
We help you get clear on what you want to say, practice it, and plan for how the other person might respond.
Is it okay to skip the holidays with family?
It can be. Many LGBTQ+ people spend the holidays with chosen family, keep visits short, or take time alone. A session can help you figure out what you want and how to tell your family.
How we can help
How a few sessions can help
Focus on one thing
We start by naming the concern that matters most right now, and every session stays on it.
Plan for the hard moments
Who will be there, what might come up, where your limits are, and what you’ll do if it gets to be too much.
Practice what you want to say
Rehearse a conversation, a boundary or a coming-out, so the words feel like your own.
Decide what’s next
Some people are done after 1 to 3 sessions. If you’d like to keep going, you can continue with Amelia.
Who it's for
Adults and couples in California
Our specialty is LGBTQ+ and BIPOC clients. Holiday Focused Sessions are for adults and couples located in California who want help with one specific, time-limited concern.
If you need more intensive support, we'll help you find the right fit.
Getting started: Fill out our inquiry form, and our office will follow up within one to two business days. You’ll complete intake forms online, then meet by video.
Fees
Private pay, per session
- First individual session, with intake assessment$200
- Individual sessions 2 and 3$180
- Couples sessions$220
The first session includes an intake assessment, which is why it’s priced differently.
HSA/FSA cards accepted. Amelia is out-of-network. If your plan has out-of-network benefits, you can submit the monthly superbill (reimbursement for associate sessions varies by plan).
Not sure it’s a fit? Start with a free 15-minute consultation.
Your clinician
Meet Amelia
Amelia Choi Freeman (she/her)
Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) #23278 · Employed by Rainbow Connection Counseling Collective · Supervised by Harry Dixon, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC #4340) · California only A Korean American counselor for LGBTQ+ adults, women of color, children of immigrants, and couples. In Holiday Focused Sessions, Amelia works with you on one concern: planning for the hard moments, practicing what you want to say, and deciding what’s next. Learn more about Amelia →Holiday Focused Sessions
You don’t have to get through the holidays alone
Tell us a little about what's going on, and our office will follow up within one to two business days.
Telehealth for clients located in California. This service isn't for emergencies, and we don't provide emergency services. If you're in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), text START to 678-678 (The Trevor Project), or call 911.