Gay Therapy LA with Ken Howard, LCSW, CST Where expertise meets real talk for gay men who want more out of life, love, and themselves. I’m Ken Howard, LCSW, CST -- an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist; gay men's specialist psychotherapist with over 32 years experience working with gay male individuals, couples, and polycules; life/career/relationship coach; and advocate for gay men thriving on their own terms. Here, you’ll get more than clichés or recycled pop psychology. These are deep dives i ...
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Ken Howard LCSW CST Podcasts

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Toxic Gay Currencies: How to Avoid the Attention, Sex, and Status Traps
39:56
39:56
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39:56Too often, gay men trade in “toxic currencies” like attention, sex, money, status, drama, and jealousy. They feel powerful in the moment but drain us over time. In this episode, Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, shares what healthier currencies look like — and how to build a richer, more grounded life.By Ken Howard, LCSW, CST
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From Obama to Trump: Understanding the Whiplash in American Politics Through the Lens of Minority Stress and Gay Men's Mental Health
24:24
24:24
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24:24Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, unpacks the political whiplash from Obama to Trump and its impact on gay men’s mental health—exploring minority stress, cultural backlash, and strategies for resilience in a divided America.By Ken Howard, LCSW, CST
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Gay Men Healing from Trauma: Why Substance Matters More Than Hype
23:40
23:40
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23:40Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, explains why lasting trauma recovery for gay men comes from evidence-based approaches like CBT and Narrative Therapy—not trendy quick fixes. Learn how to move beyond shame, grief, and rejection toward resilience and authentic connection.By Ken Howard, LCSW, CST
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When “Non-Affirming” Therapists Keep LGBTQ+ Clients for the Money: An Ethical Failure with Real Consequences
23:35
23:35
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23:35Some therapists claim to be “welcoming to all” while secretly holding non-affirming values about LGBTQ+ identity and gay men's issues such as sexuality. In this episode, Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, exposes the harm, ethical breaches, and red flags of non-affirming therapy — and shows clients and parents how to spot it before it causes damage.…
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Gay Men and The Cinderella Syndrome: From Outcast to Adonis
22:18
22:18
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22:18Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, explores “The Cinderella Syndrome” in gay men—the rise from rejection to confidence, and what happens when the glow-up fades. From body image to aging, learn how to build lasting self-worth, stay empowered, and thrive beyond appearances. Real talk, real tools, real growth.By Ken Howard, LCSW, CST
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Gay Men as Adult Children of Alcoholics - How the Past Talks in the Present
14:46
14:46
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14:46Do you struggle with control, fear of abandonment, or always expect the worst? You might be a gay Adult Child of an Alcoholic (ACA). In this episode, Ken explores how unresolved childhood chaos shapes adult gay life—and how healing is possibleBy Ken Howard, LCSW, CST
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Gay Widowers: Navigating Loss, Identity, and Rebirth
23:36
23:36
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23:36Losing a partner is devastating—especially for gay men, whose grief is often marginalized. In this episode, gay men’s specialist psychotherapist Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, explores the emotional journey of gay widowers, including AIDS-era losses, the five stages of grief, coping strategies, and how therapy or coaching can help. Whether you're grieving …
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Radical Erotic Aging: Gay Men, Desire, and the Audacity to Stay Sexy
14:45
14:45
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14:45Aging as a gay man can feel like becoming invisible—but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, shares insights from 30+ years of helping gay men reclaim sexual confidence, confront ageism, and embrace desire at any age. It's time to get real about erotic aging—and radically refuse to disappear.…
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Gilligan’s Island & The Seven Deadly Sins: What a 60s Sitcom Can Teach Gay Men
15:26
15:26
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15:26What if Gilligan’s Island was more than a goofy sitcom? What if it was a mirror for gay men’s internal struggles with shame, identity, and survival? This episode explores how each castaway reflects one of the Seven Deadly Sins—and how these moral archetypes echo the messages many gay men internalize. Through humor, camp, and therapeutic insight, th…
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Gay Men Overcoming Unconscious Barriers to Success
35:41
35:41
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35:41What holds us back from achieving our full potential? In this episode, Ken Howard, LCSW, CST explores the unconscious barriers many gay men face—like self-doubt, fear of success, cultural pressure to stay small, and toxic professional competition. With insights from 30+ years of clinical practice, he shares empowering strategies from cognitive and …
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Gay Men and Understanding Personality Traits: The OCEAN Model
38:06
38:06
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38:06Discover how the Big Five OCEAN personality traits—Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism—can help gay men improve relationships, communication, and self-understanding, with insights from therapist Ken Howard, LCSW, CST.By Ken Howard, LCSW, CST
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Flash vs. Substance: Pop Psychology Gurus vs. Real Clinicians
24:22
24:22
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24:22Tired of flashy social media gurus? In this episode, Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, breaks down the difference between pop psych soundbites and real therapy that heals—especially for gay men seeking depth, substance, and actual growth.By Ken Howard, LCSW, CST
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Gay Men and Coping with the Forms of Betrayal
34:02
34:02
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34:02In this episode, I explore the many ways gay men experience betrayal—in relationships, friendships, family, and professional life—and how we can heal from these wounds with clarity and strength. If betrayal has touched your life, listen in and consider therapy or coaching with me to reclaim your peace of mind and restore trust in yourself and other…
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Positive Masculinity for Gay Men in a Changing World
25:24
25:24
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25:24In this episode, Ken explores how gay men can reclaim positive masculinity—balancing strength, emotional intelligence, and authenticity amid today’s political and cultural battles. Learn how evolving healthy masculinity empowers gay men personally, professionally, and within our larger society.By Ken Howard, LCSW, CST
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The Success Principles for Gay Men: What We Can Learn from Jack Canfield
30:30
30:30
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30:30Gay men’s specialist psychotherapist and coach Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, breaks down Jack Canfield’s The Success Principles through a queer lens, showing how its life-changing tools can help gay men overcome internalized shame, build self-worth, and boldly pursue their goals. Ken shares practical, affirming insights inspired by Canfield's book to help…
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White Lotus and Gay Men's Fantasies - The Teasing Taboo of Pop Culture
14:59
14:59
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14:59Therapist Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, explores The White Lotus Season 3’s buzzed-about gay incest story line, why taboo fantasies intrigue gay men, and how pop culture stirs both desire and discomfort. A candid look at erotic imagination, psychological nuance, and separating fantasy from reality.By Ken Howard, LCSW, CST
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The Healthcare Hustle: What Gay Men Need to Know
1:00:33
1:00:33
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1:00:33Navigating healthcare as a gay man isn’t just about checkups—it’s about self-advocacy, access, and fighting systemic bias. In this episode, I break down the clinical, financial, cultural, and emotional barriers that make medical care more challenging for gay men, from dealing with dismissive doctors to securing PrEP, HIV treatment, or mental health…
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Legal Essentials for Gay Men: Protecting Your Future
56:00
56:00
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56:00Too many gay men delay vital legal planning—until it’s too late. In this episode, Ken covers key protections like wills, medical directives, and financial security to safeguard your relationship from a psychotherapist's perspective. Learn how to take charge now for a secure and empowered future!By Ken Howard, LCSW, CST
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When You Know You're Ugly: A Guide for Gay Men Coping with Physical Unattractiveness
24:20
24:20
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24:20In a society where "pretty privilege" often dictates social dynamics, many gay men confront the challenge of not fitting conventional beauty standards. In this frank episode, Ken delves into embracing one's identity beyond physical appearance, highlighting the power of charm, confidence, and kindness. Listen in to discover strategies for building e…
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Gay Men and Therapy Support for a Legal Case
34:11
34:11
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34:11Ken discusses the often-overlooked role of therapy in supporting gay men through legal battles. From workplace discrimination to hate crimes, gay men can face legal challenges that demand both legal representation and emotional resilience. Therapy can prepare clients for high-stress situations like depositions and cross-examinations, build psycholo…
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Interview of Host Ken Howard, LCSW, CST on the History of Gay Men's Therapy and His Career
51:43
51:43
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51:43GayTherapyLA Podcast producer, Austen Weinhart, interviews host Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, on the history of Gay Men's Therapy and his own career path over 30 years as a gay men's specialist therapist, coach, sex therapist, author, and activisit.By Ken Howard, LCSW, CST
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Gay Executive Coaching and The Dark Side of Ambition: Navigating Toxic Competition in the Workplace
41:35
41:35
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41:35This episode discusses the unique challenges gay men face in competitive professional environments. It explores how toxic competition, workplace biases, and generational tensions can undermine professional growth and mental health, and how executive coaching can foster resilience, authenticity, emotional intelligence, and leadership skills.…
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Gay Men and the Lessons Learned from 'Wicked'
44:38
44:38
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44:38Gay men's specialist therapist and life coach Ken Howard, LCSW, CST discusses the new musical movie, "Wicked," and the lessons gay men can learn from its themes, characters, and songs.By Ken Howard, LCSW, CST
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Therapy, Coaching, Psychiatry, and Medicine - Let's Stop the Misinformation, Shall We?
51:47
51:47
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51:47Ken exposes the myths around therapy, life coaching, psychiaty, and medicine, and how to understand and access these services.By Ken Howard, LCSW, CST
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Gay Men and Trump 2.0 - Coping with Anxiety
28:40
28:40
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28:40Ken gives tips on how to cope with anxiety over the re-election of Trump and its implications for LGBT+ and gay rights, discussed in an historical context of the re-election of George W. Bush in 2004, and how to critically examine sources of anxiety.By Ken Howard, LCSW, CST
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