LGBTQ+ Mental Health: Growing Up In a Queer Household in the 80s with Ann Russo

The Innovative Therapist

Episode 124. I get a lot of podcast pitches. Many of them, it’s clear they’ve never listened to my podcast and have zero idea about my audience. Others are pitching people that have truly nothing to do with what a do (men’s hair removal expert, anyone? Just why?).

Someone reached out to me to introduce Ann though and I was intrigued (I mean, read the bullets below, wouldn’t you be?). I did my due diligence and listened to another podcast interview she did. And I immediately knew I had to have her on.

Her willingness to be open about her unique experiences growing up with her dad, his partner, and her mom all the in same house in the 80s is really fascinating. And her compassionate take on the evangelical conservative Christian approach to LGBTQ+ is really quite inspiring.

Without further ado, let’s dive in!

What to Expect in this Episode

We cover the following:

• How Ann came to doing the work she does today
• What she learned from growing up in a queer household in the 80s
• What she learned from attending a religious conversion conference as a queer female
• How she is able to cultivate so much compassion for others who believe anything outside of heterosexuality is a sin
• The most common issues LGBTQ+ members face and where she sees therapists miss the mark and cause harm
• Ways she’s engaged in healing that is outside of traditional talk therapy (I loved her answer on this!)
• Her main takeaway she wants people to know when it comes to LGBTQ+ emotional well-being and mental health
• And so much more!

Who is Ann Russo?

Ann Russo, is a business founder, psychotherapist, author, and mental health advocate with an MA in Theology from Loyola Marymount and an MSW from Long Beach State. In 2018, she founded AMR Therapy to provide culturally sensitive mental health services to queer communities and other underserved populations. Under her leadership, AMR Therapy has served over 1500 clients with a dedicated team of just 15 therapists and administrators.

Ann is a trained domestic violence and sexual assault advocate, specializing in trauma-informed care and first responder crisis management. She is currently developing specialized Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for therapists, focusing on critical topics such as ethical non-monogamy, sexual empowerment, religious trauma, and queerness. These CEUs are essential for professionals seeking to enhance their skills and better serve diverse populations. Ann also offers consulting services to mental health providers on these topics.

Her upcoming book, “Her Own Terms,” delves into modern female sexuality using cognitive behavioral therapy, sex-positive perspectives, and psychodynamic insights. Raised in a queer, non-monogamous household, Ann’s personal and professional experiences enrich her approach, making her a relatable and insightful figure in the mental health field.

Ann is a prominent advocate for mental health and sexual positivity, frequently featured in articles, podcasts, and interviews. You can work with a therapist at AMR Therapy or connect with Ann directly by visiting the websites below.

You can connect with Ann by joining her email list here.

Website for Ann’s group practice is: https://www.amrtherapy.com/

Ann’s website: https://www.annrusso.org

To work with Ann or a member of her team, email her at [e-mail] and mention “Body” in the email to let her know how you heard about her work.

For 20% off CEU coursework, sign up here.

Wanting more support beyond these podcasts?

• I am currently accepting new therapy clients if you live in one of these 40 states in the US
• My rate for an intake session is $220 and for a 45 minute follow up is $195
• If interested in learning more, including my availability and details about my practice, email me at [e-mail] or call 616-227-0001
• Or if you are a therapist of helping professional looking to connect in community and learn more about or experience the IFS model, get on my email list here and/or email me at [e-mail] to introduce yourself!

Disclaimer: This blog and podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for individual professional advice or treatment, including medical or mental health advice. It does not constitute a provider-patient relationship.

Disclosure: Using the Bookshop.org links in this post means that I would get an affiliate fee if you purchase from the online bookshop (this supports my business, and local bookstores too!).