Forming now · Weekly LGBTQ+ support group · Vista, CA
LGBTQ+ Support Group in Vista, CA
The Queer Umbrella
A weekly in-person group for LGBTQ+ adults who want real connection, emotional depth, and a place to be fully themselves, without needing to explain the basics.
This is a clinician-led interpersonal process group, not a peer-led drop-in support meeting. Looking for one-on-one care instead? We offer LGBTQ+ affirming individual therapy too, just ask.
There’s room for you under the umbrella
Here’s everything you need to decide, up front. The Queer Umbrella is forming now, so joining early means helping start it.
Does any of this sound familiar
You might relate if…
- 01 You’re tired of feeling like you have to “educate” people just to be understood
- 02 You want community, but you want it to be real, not just surface-level
- 03 You’re carrying more than you let on, even to people close to you
- 04 You want a space where both queer joy and queer pain get to exist
- 05 You’re doing okay on the outside, and still feel alone on the inside
There’s something powerful about being in a room where you don’t have to translate your life.
Queer joy is not talked about enough.
What this actually is
A place to explore and grow.
The Queer Umbrella is a weekly LGBTQ+ therapy group for adults who want a place to explore what’s happening in their lives and grow in the way they relate, to themselves and others. There isn’t a set curriculum or a “worksheet vibe”; instead, the group focuses on what’s real and present, in the room and in your life.
Support group, or individual therapy? A quick, honest guide.
A process group is the right fit if you want ongoing connection with other LGBTQ+ adults alongside clinical guidance, and you’re ready to be seen by others, not just heard by a therapist one-on-one. Individual therapy is private and built entirely around your own history and pace. Many people do both. Coastal Therapy Group also offers LGBTQ+ affirming individual therapy, in person in Vista or online anywhere in California, so if one-on-one is the better starting point, tell us and we’ll help you sort it out.
What group focuses on
- how you connect
- what you feel
- what you avoid
- what you want
- what it’s like to be seen
- what happens when you take emotional risks in relationship
It’s not about performing. It’s not about forcing vulnerability. It’s about building trust over time, and discovering that you don’t have to do life alone.
What people often get from LGBTQ+ group therapy
Growth that happens live.
Group therapy helps you grow in ways individual therapy can’t always reach, because relationships are happening in real time. Over time, people often experience:
- Less loneliness
- More emotional confidence
- Deeper self-trust
- Stronger boundaries
- A greater capacity to give and receive support
- More honest, fulfilling relationships
And maybe most importantly: a sense of belonging that doesn’t require you to shrink yourself.
Is this the right fit
Who this group is for.
A good fit if
There’s room for you here.
- You want a space where your LGBTQ+ identity is not just accepted, but understood
- You feel isolated, stuck, or longing for more meaningful connection
- You’re navigating relationships, dating, family dynamics, or chosen family
- You’re doing a lot on the outside … but struggling on the inside
- You want support around anxiety, stress, shame, grief, or self-worth
- You want a place where queer joy gets to exist, too
Not the right fit if
A different kind of support fits better.
- You’re in acute crisis or need a higher level of care right now (we’ll help point you to the right support)
- You want individual therapy only, with no group component (ask us about LGBTQ+ affirming individual therapy)
- Tuesday mornings don’t work and you can’t attend somewhat consistently
- You’re looking for a free, drop-in peer meetup rather than a structured, clinician-led group
Not sure where you land? That’s exactly what a free conversation is for.
The practicals
How the group will work.
The Queer Umbrella will meet weekly on Tuesday mornings at our Vista office, just off the 78 in North County San Diego.
Group is one of the most affordable ways to work with a licensed psychologist at our practice, and you can attend it on its own or alongside individual therapy. For how private-pay and out-of-network reimbursement work, see our cost and insurance page.
Meet your group leader
Warm, steady, and easy to talk to.
Jenna Suway, PhD (they/them)
Licensed Psychologist
Jenna Suway, PhD is a Licensed Psychologist in Vista. They’re an LGBTQ+ affirming psychologist who works with clients across the gender and sexuality spectrum, and their goal is to create an open and safe environment from which to explore, process, and learn.
“People aren’t cookies, so I don’t use a cookie cutter model for therapy. Instead, I provide individualized therapy tailored to your unique history, capacities, and needs. In many ways, this will evolve as we get to know each other.”
Dr. Suway is currently accepting new individual psychotherapy clients both in person in Vista and via video conferencing to people throughout the state of California.
Read more about Dr. Suway →Good questions
What people ask before the first call.
01 What is an interpersonal process group?
An interpersonal process group is a place to practice being yourself and sharing what you think and feel with others who are doing the same. Members bring in what’s actively on their minds, anything from anxiety and stress, to relationships and identity, to loneliness, pride, grief, or belonging. Over time, group often becomes a place where people try new ways of being with others: speaking up instead of staying quiet, naming an emotion instead of hiding it, asking for support, being honest in a relationship without losing yourself.
02 Is this a support group or a therapy group?
It’s a clinician-led interpersonal process group, which sits between the two. Like a support group, it’s built around ongoing, real connection between LGBTQ+ adults. Like therapy, it’s facilitated by a licensed psychologist (Jenna Suway, PhD) who guides the group toward emotional growth, not just a shared space to vent. If you’re picturing a free, drop-in peer meetup, this isn’t that; it’s a paid, clinician-led group, and it’s forming now, so you’d be joining at the very beginning.
03 Do I need to have my identity all figured out to join?
No. The Queer Umbrella welcomes people at every stage, whether you’ve known your identity for years or you’re still exploring what feels true. You don’t need the right words yet. You just need to be curious about connecting with others.
04 Is this only for certain identities within the LGBTQ+ community?
No. The group welcomes LGBTQ+ adults across the full spectrum of sexual orientation and gender identity. Group composition shifts over time; if you have specific questions about who’s currently in the group, ask on the contact form below and we’ll talk it through honestly.
05 Do I have to talk?
No. Sharing is encouraged, but nobody is forced to speak before they’re ready. Many people benefit from simply showing up, listening, and letting trust build over time.
06 Do I have to share everything?
No. You will never be pressured to share anything you aren’t ready to share. You get to choose your pace.
07 Is it okay if I’m in individual therapy too?
Yes. Many people do group therapy alongside individual therapy. Group can be a powerful complement because it offers support, connection, and real-time feedback from peers. Coastal Therapy Group also offers LGBTQ+ affirming individual therapy, in person in Vista or online anywhere in California.
08 How much does it cost, and do you take insurance?
The Queer Umbrella is $125 per session, and a small number of sliding-scale openings may be available. Coastal Therapy Group is a private-pay practice and out-of-network with insurance, but we provide monthly superbills you can submit to a PPO plan for possible reimbursement. See our cost and insurance page for details.
Ready when you are
There’s room for you under the umbrella.
The Queer Umbrella is forming now in Vista, CA. Tuesdays 9:00–10:30am, $125 per session, 4 to 10 members. Group starts once we reach the minimum, so reserving your spot now means helping start it and joining the first cohort.
The next step is simple: complete the contact form below to reserve your spot. We’ll follow up to answer questions, make sure it’s the right fit, and share next steps and availability. No pressure, just a conversation.
Reserve your spotReserve your spot.
Interested in joining the first cohort? Fill out the form and a real person from our team will reply, usually within one business day. Prefer to talk first? Call or text (760) 334-6262.