Children, Adolescents, and Adults

LGBTQ+ Mental Health Support in Manchester, NH

Q: My teen recently came out to me. Can you help our family?

Yes. We can meet with a patient individually, with family members, or both, depending on what the situation calls for, to address any anxiety, conflict, or related concerns.

Q: Is this service only for patients who are questioning or exploring their identity?

No. We see LGBTQ+ patients for the same range of concerns we treat generally, including anxiety, depression, and trauma. Many visits are unrelated to identity.

Q: What if a young patient hasn't decided on a label and doesn't want to discuss it yet?

That is fine. We do not require a patient to label or disclose anything they are not ready to discuss in order to receive care for the concern that brought them in.

Patients who identify as LGBTQ+ come to our practice for the same range of reasons any patient does. Sometimes the reason for the visit is connected to identity, such as family conflict after coming out or stress related to a school or work environment. Often it is not connected at all, and the patient simply wants a provider who will focus on the clinical concern at hand. Our role is to evaluate and treat the mental health issue a patient brings to us.

Your Care Team

I am Dr. Lionel Pereira, a Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and the founder of Serene Behavioral Healthcare. Our practice provides mental health care across every stage of life, from young children through adulthood, through a team that includes board-certified nurse practitioners seeing patients in person and via telehealth.

Meet our full team for complete provider bios and credentials.

What We Treat

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How We Approach Care

Our approach is the same clinical process we use for any patient, adapted to the specific concern presented.

Our approach typically includes:

Clinical evaluation

We assess the specific concern driving the visit, whether that is anxiety, depression, family conflict, bullying, or another issue.

Individualized treatment planning

Treatment may include therapy, medication management, or both, depending on the diagnosis and the patient's needs.

Family involvement when appropriate

For minors, we can involve family members in sessions when it supports treatment and the patient is comfortable with it.

Gender dysphoria evaluation and coordination

When gender dysphoria is a presenting concern, we provide psychiatric evaluation and coordinate referrals to appropriate medical specialists, such as endocrinology, for care outside our scope. We do not prescribe hormone therapy.

Coordination with schools and other providers

We work with therapists, schools, and other members of a patient's care team as needed.

Ongoing follow-up

We reassess regularly and adjust the treatment plan as circumstances change.

Reasons Patients Schedule a Visit

In children and adolescents, families sometimes contact us regarding:

Anxiety, withdrawal, or mood changes
Bullying, exclusion, or school-related stress
Family conflict following a disclosure at home
A general mental health concern unrelated to identity

In adults, this sometimes includes:

Anxiety or depression connected to work, family, or social circumstances
Family relationship difficulties
A general mental health concern unrelated to identity

Why Patients Choose Serene Behavioral Healthcare

Here is what sets our care apart:

Board certified providers with specialized training across the full age spectrum, from early childhood through adulthood
A clinical evaluation process focused on the presenting concern
Coordination with outside specialists for care outside our scope, such as medical gender-affirming treatment
Both in-person and telehealth options, so care fits your schedule and location

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you prescribe hormone therapy?

No. Hormone therapy and other medical gender-affirming treatments are outside the scope of our practice. When gender dysphoria is a presenting concern, we provide evaluation and psychiatric support, and coordinate referrals to appropriate medical specialists such as endocrinology.

My teen recently came out to me. Can you help our family?

Is this service only for patients who are questioning or exploring their identity?

What if a young patient hasn't decided on a label and doesn't want to discuss it yet?

Schedule a Visit

To schedule an evaluation or ask a question about our services, contact our office.

Book an Appointment or Contact Our Office to get started.

Serene Behavioral Healthcare, 1045 Elm St, Suite 204, Manchester, NH 03101