Areas of Focus

Not at all. I work with gay, bisexual, queer, and questioning men, as well as couples of all configurations. The through-line is men who want a therapist who understands queer life from the inside — whether or not you've settled on a label.

Both can be excellent — what matters most is the therapeutic relationship. The difference with a gay therapist is lived experience. I've navigated gay identity, queer culture, and the emotional terrain of being a gay man myself. That means you often don't have to explain the basics — we can go deep from the start, and you can trust that I'm not making assumptions about your life.

Working with gay couples is a deeply affirming and specialized process that integrates somatic therapy techniques to address both emotional and physical experiences within the relationship. My approach recognizes the unique challenges that LGBTQ+ couples may face, including societal pressures, internalized stigma, and communication barriers. We can explore attachment, communication, sex, and relationship structures — including monogamy, ethical non-monogamy, and open arrangements. I also work with couples where one or both partners are navigating their queer identity alongside the relationship. By focusing on the body’s sensations and responses, we help couples become more aware of underlying tensions, enhance emotional connection, and build resilience together. This somatic focus allows for a holistic healing experience that strengthens trust, deepens understanding, and fosters authentic connection in ways traditional talk therapy alone may not achieve.

Honestly? The biggest benefit is having a place where you don't have to explain yourself from the beginning. Most of us have spent years — sometimes decades — editing ourselves. In therapy with me, you don't have to do that. You can talk about your sex life, your complicated relationship with your family, the ways gay culture has both held you and hurt you, your fears about aging, your confusion about what you actually want — and none of it will land weird. I get it, because I've lived a version of it too. For gay men in the Bay Area specifically, there's a particular kind of pressure that comes with living in a place that's supposed to be a queer paradise. When you're struggling here, it can feel like you're failing at something you're supposed to have figured out. That's a lonely place to be. Therapy gives you somewhere to put that down. What I see happen for guys who commit to the work: they get clearer on who they are and what they actually want. They stop chasing relationships or experiences that don't really fit them. They find their way back to — or sometimes for the first time to — a genuine sense of self-worth. Not the performed kind. The real kind.

Somatic therapy offers gay men a holistic approach to healing by addressing the connection between the mind and body. This method helps process emotions, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. Seth Ambrose Therapy specializes in somatic techniques tailored to the unique needs of gay men.

Yes. I offer secure telehealth sessions to clients throughout California — Los Angeles, San Diego, Oakland, Berkeley, Sacramento, Marin County, and beyond. If you're in California and want to work with a gay-identified therapist, we can make that happen remotely.