A Space to Explore Identity, Relationships, and Belonging for Gay Men
Cody Merrell, LCSW provides individual therapy in Salt Lake City & Across Utah
You may find yourself holding back what you need in a relationship or worrying about how someone will respond when you speak up. You may also be looking for help with anxiety, depression, or changes in your life.
Working with gay men is a significant part of my practice. We can focus on what’s bringing you in, whether or not it involves sexuality or identity.
Have a question or can’t find a time that works? contact me
How earlier experiences may affect you now
Experiences of rejection, pressure to hide parts of yourself, or expectations about who you should be may still affect you. You might feel comfortable being gay and still notice yourself monitoring what you say around family or at work, or anticipating rejection in a relationship.
We can explore how those experiences influence the present, including the expectations you carry and the ways you respond to others.
Some of what we can work on
Anxiety and Stress
Persistent worry, overthinking, feeling on guard, or holding yourself to standards that are difficult to meet.
Depression and Disconnection
Feeling low, numb, or disconnected, or finding it harder to engage with people and activities that matter to you.
Relationships and boundaries
Understanding patterns in dating or relationships, expressing your needs, and addressing guilt or fear when setting limits.
Trauma and its effects
Experiences that still affect daily life, including religious trauma that may leave you with shame, fear, or difficulty trusting yourself.
Identify and self worth
Examining how you see yourself, the expectations you hold yourself to, and what you want apart from others’ approval.
Life transitions & Change
Navigating changes in relationships, work, family, or how you understand yourself, including uncertainty about what comes next.
Working together
I ask thoughtful questions, offer observations, and can be direct when that’s helpful. We work to understand what you’re experiencing and identify practical changes you want to make. Relief from symptoms and a deeper understanding of yourself can both be part of the work.
For example, you might want to ask someone you’re dating for more consistency but worry that doing so will push them away. We could explore that worry, clarify what matters to you, and consider how you want to approach the conversation.
I draw on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and other evidence-informed approaches, and I’m trained in EMDR. When addressing trauma, we discuss the approach and pace together. Your goals help guide those decisions.
Getting started
A free 15-minute consultation, by video or in person, gives us a chance to discuss what’s bringing you in, answer your questions, and see whether working together feels like a good fit. It’s an introductory conversation rather than a therapy appointment.
Have a question or can’t find a time that works? contact me