By: Catherine O’Hara

Psychotherapist and mental health advocate Ann Russo opens up about the childhood events that led to her becoming a dedicated and passionate voice for the LGBTQ+ communities. In a recent episode of the Innovative Therapist Podcast hosted by Dr. Shawn Hondorp, PhD, ABPP, Ann led the listeners on a deep dive into her personal experiences, which have significantly shaped her approach to therapy and advocacy. As a prominent voice for sexual positivity, Ann also freely discussed her insights into providing culturally sensitive mental health support to queer and other underserved populations.

A Personal Journey Shaping Professional Passion

Ann revealed that her commitment to mental health advocacy, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community, is deeply rooted in her own life experiences. Growing up in a queer household during the 1980s, Ann was exposed to the harsh realities of a time when the LGBTQ+ community faced significant social and religious opposition. Her father, a gay man, and his partner raised her in a conservative environment where the fear of societal rejection was a constant undercurrent. “I knew the damage,” Ann shares. “I knew the harm. I knew the pain. I experienced it; being with my dad and his partner and them being afraid in public, having to leave certain places, living in fear of being found out.” 

This upbringing in a non-traditional family, coupled with the prevailing anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment of the time, profoundly impacted her understanding of social justice and fueled her passion for advocacy. These early experiences led her to confront and challenge the societal norms that sought to marginalize her family. “These are real, traumatic experiences,” she states firmly. From leading sensitivity training for teachers in high school to actively participating in social justice movements, Ann’s path was clear from a young age—she was determined to fight for the rights and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community. 

This passion carried her through her education and into her professional life as a psychotherapist, where she continues to advocate for those who have been marginalized by society.

Navigating Religious Trauma with Compassion

One of the poignant parts of the podcast was Ann’s discussion on religious trauma, a topic she is both personally and professionally passionate about. “I was raised to see Christianity as harmful,” she admits. “I remember watching daytime [Christian] talk show hosts talking about gay people … it was really rough.” Indeed, having grown up in an era where the Christian right was vehemently opposed to LGBTQ+ rights, Ann witnessed firsthand the damage that religious condemnation can inflict on queer individuals. “As I got older and recognized my own sexuality as a queer person, I was scared to death!” Ann continues. “I did not want to be the thing that was hated,  the thing that was going to hell, the thing that was rejected. So I tried to stave off my own identity.” 

But it was immediately clear to her that denying her identity was not a viable long-term solution. “We can try to shove down aspects of ourselves,” Ann says, “but we just end up making ourselves sick. On all kinds of levels. The body, the mind — everything is impacted.” Her experiences led her to explore theology deeply, earning a master’s degree in the field, which she now uses to help others navigate the complex intersection of faith and sexuality.

Autonomy Granting: A Different Approach

Ann spoke about her unique ability to engage with individuals who hold anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs, not from a place of anger, but with compassion and understanding. Her approach is not to convince but to listen, educate, and help individuals reconcile their religious beliefs with their sexual identity in a way that promotes mental well-being. 

This method, which she refers to as “autonomy granting,” empowers her clients to make decisions that are ideal for their mental health, even if those decisions differ from mainstream LGBTQ+ advocacy.

Innovating Mental Health Support for the Queer Community

Throughout the conversation, Ann highlighted the importance of culturally sensitive mental health services. She pointed out that traditional therapy models often fail to address the unique challenges faced by queer individuals, particularly when it comes to relationships. For instance, she discussed how heteronormative assumptions in couples therapy can be harmful when applied to same-sex couples, emphasizing the need for therapists to educate themselves on the specific dynamics of LGBTQ+ relationships.

Ann is a woman of words and action. She is actively working to fill this gap in mental health services by developing specialized Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for therapists. 

These CEUs will focus on topics like ethical non-monogamy, sexual empowerment, and religious trauma. They are designed to equip therapists with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide better care for diverse populations, particularly those within the LGBTQ+ community.

Empowering the Next Generation of Therapists

Towards the end of the podcast, Ann shared her vision for the future of mental health services. She is passionate about training and consulting with other mental health providers, helping them understand the nuances of working with queer clients and those affected by religious trauma. Ann Russo’s goal is to ensure that more therapists are equipped to provide the kind of compassionate, informed care that all clients deserve.

Her upcoming book, “Her Own Terms,” is another extension of her advocacy, offering insights into modern female sexuality through a blend of cognitive behavioral therapy, sex-positive perspectives, and psychodynamic insights. This book, along with Ann’s other work, underscores her commitment to empowering individuals to live authentically and heal from the traumas inflicted by a society that too often fails to understand them. 

Listen to the full podcast episode here. If you’d like to connect with Ann, you may join her mailing list here.

Published By: Aize Perez