Meet Bliss
Expert Care Rooted in Trauma-Responsive and LGBTQIA2S+ Affirming Practices
Bliss Kern, LPCA
- Modalities: Person Centered, Affirmative, and Humanistic.
- Pronouns: (Per/Per/Pers)
- State Practicing In: CT
Greetings, friends! I am an agender, queer Connecticut based counselor. My specialization is in queer and trans mental health. I became a counselor to support my trans and gender diverse siblings. Sometimes it's just easier to connect to a someone with lived experience, especially when you are in the process of just figuring it out for yourself! I work from a strength-based, trauma-responsive model. I provide both individual and group therapy. If you are seeking couples or family therapy, please check out the bios of my impressive colleagues.
I focus on creating strong therapeutic relationships using a social justice informed person-centered approach. In session we will identify the strengths you inherently have and develop new coping skills that empower you through life transitions, relationships, and changing patterns in your life. My deepest belief is that you are the expert in your own experience and I am here to support you as you discover, heal, and make effective changes. My therapeutic framework grows out of a commitment to social justice, queer theory, and a radical non-judgment stance. I believe as humans that we never stop growing, and that growth and healing happen in connection and community.
Bliss’s focus areas:
Exploration and Affirmation of Trans and Gender Diverse Identities:| it has been my privilege to walk through gender journeys with trans and gender diverse clients aged from 13-35. My central theme is "There's no wrong way to do gender." Every individual deserves the time, space, and support to identify what defines gender for them and how (and if) they want to enact it, express it, and live within it. For folks accessing HRT, the first two years can be an especially exciting and sometimes confusing time. Having an experienced support along the way can ease the process and help you thrive.
Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy:| Our neuro-types can be our greatest strength or one of the barriers to our mental health and well-being, depending on how we view them. So many folks with neuro-diverse brains have been asked time and again to act in ways inauthentic to them and to solve problems in ways that other kinds of brains do, thus adding stress and self-doubt to the burdens of daily life. Learning to honor your brain and work with it rather than against it can improve mental health, energy, and self-love.
Personality Disorders| Like other forms of neurodiversity, personality disorders are often stigmatized and misunderstood. Folks may experience substantial interpersonal difficulties, loneliness, chaotic home environments, and difficulty in maintaining relationships and jobs. Learning to understand how your brain works and why can make a huge difference, along with having a supportive therapist to support you in practicing new skills to allow you to live the life you want.
Bliss's Ideal Client:
Clients thrive when they come in with specific goals and an openness to the process. I love clients who are honest--even when honesty means saying "no, I'm not comfortable talking about that yet" or "I'm really struggling with feeling empowered right now." Together, we can work towards open and authentic communication that moves the client towards their goals.
What kind of therapy does Bliss provide?
Individual therapy for those who are 13 to 17
Individual therapy for those who are 18 and older
Group Therapy
Bliss's Education, Qualifications, and Additional Trainings:
Personal Information:
Bliss lives in central Connecticut with three dogs, two cats, and four house rabbits. Per hikes daily, and loves to be outdoors, whether on foot or in a kayak. Bliss believes in local political action and advocacy so can often be found in community supporting initiatives that improve the quality of life for everyone.