Empowering parents in supporting their LGBTQIA+ teens
Coach for parents - but also individuals, couples, polycules etc. who want to challenge the norms!
Hi, I'm Maarit!
I’m an LGBTQIA+ coach, ready to help you with questions on parenting, relationships, gender, sexuality, identity and many kinds of changes in life. I’m based in beautiful Santa Clarita, near Los Angeles (CA), and offer my coaching online.
People usually come to me when they are in search of a trustworthy professional who understands what they’re going through and can help them feel more at ease with all the big questions and emotions. I’m told I have a grounding energy and that it feels comfortable exploring different viewpoints with me. I cherish holding space for all kinds of emotions and thoughts, as I believe they all hold messages for us to explore together. In my work I combine the lived experience I have as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and the vast studies I’ve done during 12 years of being very knowledge-hungry.
Growing up I was the shy, sensitive, nerdy bookworm, often occupied in my own headspace. I learned about my own identity when going through puberty, like most of LGBTQIA+ folks. What I actually realized was that not everyone is like me! Being the shy kid I immediately realized I needed to keep my mouth shut in order to stay invisible, undetected.
During my studies and 10+ years of professional career in the mental health field I’ve learned a great deal of the invisibility and stigma around LGBTQIA+ themes. I’m intrigued by the ”silent stories”, those stories that are easily left untold in a busy and loud world. I believe all stories are worthy of being told and respected as is. During my adult life I’ve also learned a whole bunch about freedom to explore, about queer joy and about the power of connection and community. To be human is to be connected, and to be a happy thriving LGBTQIA+ individual is to choose those very people you want to include in your life.
I want to invite you with me on this journey of discovery. Not just for battling the worry, stigma and minority stress - but also for the joy, pride, self-expression and authenticity. Creating connection.
You are most welcome.
Fun facts about me
I’m originally from Finland, Northern Europe, and need lots of ice-cream to survive the hot Californian summer.
I thrive when connecting with people in deep 1-on-1 conversations.
I attend 4 book clubs and am always trying to fit ”just one more” into my calendar.
I’m sensitive to the excess stimuli of the modern society and prefer silence... and the occasional heavy music.
I love Santa Clarita's local events, but do take on the challenge of heavy traffic when visiting museums in L.A.
I believe my super happy terrier is the greatest teacher of mindfulness I will ever have.
I use she/her pronouns but I’m not at all offended by they/them. (In fact, my native language has only one pronoun instead of he/she/they and of course it’s gender neutral; ”hän”. See, Finnish is not hard at all!)
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Studies
2023 GSRD Therapist (Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity. Sateenkaarisohva, Finland)
2021 Integrative Psychotherapist (University of Helsinki, Finland)
2018 Sex Therapist (Specialist in Sexological Counseling, NACS. Sexpo Foundation, Finland)
2017 Sexual Counsellor (Hyria, Finland)
2014 Master of Arts, Psychology (University of Jyväskylä, Finland)
Working history
2024 - present: LGBTQIA+ coach (self-employed at Coach Maarit G., Santa Clarita, California)
2019 - present: Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Sex Therapist, GSRD Therapist (self-employed at Terapiatalo Quu, Finland)
2015-2019 Psychologist (Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, Finland)
2014-2015 School Psychologist (Mikkeli, Finland)
Want to have a chat? Leave a message and I'll get back to you.
What people have to say about me
Henna Suikki
Maarit is a sexologist colleague with whom I’ve exchanged both laughs and professional expertise on diversity, Maarit coming from an LGBTQIA+ affirming practice and myself from disability and rehabilitation practice. Maarit is a compassionate and empowering professional with a vast knowledge on adolescent development and supporting the queer youth. She’s done more than her fair share of studies in psychology and psychotherapy but does also draw from real life experience being a member of the LGBTQ community and living her life on her own terms, questioning the norms. If you’re looking for authentic support in Santa Clarita, I’d recommend contacting Maarit!
Sex Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Supervisor
Pekka Holopainen
I’m in the rare position to say I’ve known Maarit as a friend for about 35 years now AND as a psychologist colleague since we graduated from the same Uni more than 10 years ago. Maarit is forever knowledge-hungry and I genuinely believe she will never stop studying more to further develop her professional skills. I truly value Maarit’s wide expertise on LGBTQIA+ themes and her heart-driven commitment to provide her clients the best possible support in their diverse life situations. Growing up as quirky teens, she also has a soft spot for supporting and understanding queer youth and their families. As a professional, whether providing individual support or training healthcare professionals, Maarit spreads a calming, comforting energy around her and has the precious ability to be at ease with conflicting emotions, uncertainty and the yet-unknown. I fully recommend her to any individual or parent looking for LGBTQ+ affirming support.
Occupational Health Psychologist, Dialogical Work Supervisor, Musician
Nita Agustin
Maarit has such a welcoming and down-to-earth presence that makes it easy to open up around them. As someone who moved from Finland to California, she deeply understands what it’s like to live between cultures and create a sense of belonging wherever you are. That openness shows up in the way she listens and provides space for clients. Her jam is helping folx explore identity, relationships, and sexuality in ways that feel safe and liberating. Whether you’re figuring out who you are, how to connect to yourself or your partner, or how to bring more joy into your relationships, she has a knack for guiding those conversations with warmth and care.
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