Serenity Behavioral Health Services

  Our agency is a proud ally of the transgender community - but our nation has a long way to go in understanding and accepting this beautiful community. So far, 2021 marks the deadliest year on record for our transgender friends and family members. Trans Awareness Week sees organizations and allies bring visibility and support to transgender people and an awareness of issues the community faces. Even though we celebrate transgendered people this week, they need for all of us to be allies every day of the year. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLADD) offers these tips for allies of Transgender People: You can’t tell if someone is transgender just by looking.
Don’t make assumptions about a transgender person’s sexual orientation. If you don’t know what pronouns to use, listen first. Don’t ask a transgender person what their ‘real name’ is. Understand the difference between ‘coming out’ as lesbian, gay, or bisexual and ‘coming out’ as transgender. Be careful about conf...

Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline that provides trans peer support for trans people in crisis, for the trans community, by the trans community. Their principles include Peer Support, Community/Not Cops, Harm Reduction, Confidentiality and Anonymity, Equity Not Equality, Autonomy and Self Determination. They have over 600 trained operators to take your call. If you are in crisis or are questioning or just need someone to talk to, please call.

Hello! My name is Nelli LaValle. I am a licensed social worker and mental health therapist from Columbus, Ohio. I have bachelor's degrees from Ohio State University in English, Psychology, and Women's Studies as well as a master's degree in Social Work. Prior to beginning my journey as a therapist, I spent time volunteering with LGBTQ+ organizations such as Kaleidoscope Youth Center and TransOhio. I believe that therapy is beneficial for anyone but is particularly important in supporting vulnerable communities, and in order for therapy to be effective, individuals need to be able to feel safe and to feel seen by their therapist. I have experience working with a variety of individuals with identities across spectrums of gender and sexuality as well as a variety of non-traditional relationship structures. Anxiety and depression can be linked to the coming out process or ongoing issues navigating systems where gender and sexuality can limit access to resources, support, and sa...