AFFIRMATIVE CONSULTING
Affirmative Consulting — LGBTQ+ informed training & consulting · based in Fort Lauderdale, FL · available nationwide
It's not what you say.
It's how you say it.
Affirmative Consulting helps clinicians, hospitals, hotels, schools, businesses, and agencies build genuinely inclusive spaces — grounded in an evidence-informed framework, not guesswork.
You don't need to already specialize in LGBTQ+ care to be here. If your community is changing, your training should too.
If you have to question whether you're actually affirming → that's worth a 15-minute call.
Nicholas Makris, MS, LMHC
CERTIFIED COACH & CONSULTANT
Affirmative Consulting — LGBTQ+ informed training & consulting · based in Fort Lauderdale, FL · available nationwide
It's not what you say.
It's how you say it.
Affirmative Consulting helps clinicians, hospitals, hotels, and agencies build genuinely inclusive spaces — grounded in an evidence-informed framework, not guesswork.
You don't need to already specialize in LGBTQ+ care to be here. If your community is changing, your training should too.
If you have to question whether you're actually affirming → that's worth a 15-minute call.
Nicholas Makris, MS, LMHC
CERTIFIED COACH & CONSULTANT
Credentials & recognition
This is what I mean by the little things. Any one of these, alone, seems small. Together, they're the difference between a client who trusts you and one who never comes back.
OUTSFL Out & Proud 2025 Honoree
Featured as "The Clinician" among South Florida's most influential LGBTQ+ voices.
Certified AFFIRM Pro Facilitator
Trained by the researchers and developers — evidence-informed workplace coaching & training program.
AFFIRM Adult Group Facilitator
Trained to lead the AFFIRM Adult curriculum directly with groups.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Licensed clinician in Florida — one of the country's battle ground states for anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
Clinical Leadership Experience
Trained and served in clinical leadership at one of South Florida's leading LGBTQ+ behavioral health organizations.
Guest Speaker
Presented at international conferences and universities on LGBTQ+ experiences and best practices.
Credentials & recognition
This is what I mean by the little things. Any one of these, alone, seems small. Together, they're the difference between a client who trusts you and one who never comes back.
OUTSFL Out & Proud 2025 Honoree
Featured as "The Clinician" among South Florida's most influential LGBTQ+ voices.
Certified AFFIRM Pro Coach & Consultant
Via Affirmative Research — evidence-informed workplace coaching & training program.
AFFIRM Adult Group Facilitator
Trained to lead the AFFIRM Adult curriculum directly with groups.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Licensed clinician in Florida — one of the country's battle ground states for anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
Clinical Leadership Experience
Trained and served in clinical leadership at one of South Florida's leading LGBTQ+ behavioral health organizations.
Expert Speaker
Presented at national & international conferences on LGBTQ+ experiences and guest lecturer for college students.
Why this work matters right now
Negative attitudes don't stay in the news. They show up in waiting rooms, on intake forms, and in the moment someone decides whether to trust you with the truth. AFFIRM Pro exists to close that gap deliberately — not by accident.
525+
active anti-LGBTQ+ bills are currently moving through U.S. state legislatures.
ACLU, 2026 legislative tracker
70%+
of LGBTQ+ young people say the current political climate has negatively impacted their mental health.
The Trevor Project, 2025 National Survey
Why this work matters right now
Negative attitudes don't stay in the news. They show up in waiting rooms, on intake forms, and in the moment someone decides whether to trust you with the truth. AFFIRM Pro exists to close that gap deliberately — not by accident.
525+
active anti-LGBTQ+ bills are currently moving through U.S. state legislatures.
ACLU, 2026 legislative tracker
70%+
of LGBTQ+ young people say the current political climate has negatively impacted their mental health.
The Trevor Project, 2025 National Survey
An evidence-informed approach
AFFIRM Pro is an evidence-informed, six-module, small group coaching and training program built around a detailed facilitator manual, designed to grow a professional's capacity to support the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ people at work — clients, co-workers, students, and beyond. It teaches the affirming attitudes and behaviors that build a genuinely welcoming, collaborative workplace.
Being a genuine ally means backing up affirming words with affirming action, not just good intentions. The more professionals understand the real needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ people, the better equipped they are to help disrupt negative health and wellness outcomes and support genuinely better ones. That's not just a job for therapists — case managers, support staff, front desk teams, and anyone else in a position of care has room to offer real affirmative support.
LEARN 🎯
Understand the stakes
What minority stress and rejection actually do to LGBTQ+ clients, employees, and students.
REFLECT 💭
Examine the gaps
Where current attitudes, policy, or habits fall short of genuine affirmation.
GROW 🏳️🌈
Build the practice
Concrete, trauma-informed strategies your team can use starting the next day.
An evidence-informed approach
AFFIRM Pro is an evidence-informed, six-module group coaching and training program built around a detailed facilitator manual, designed to grow a professional's capacity to support the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ people at work — clients, co-workers, students, and beyond. It teaches the affirming attitudes and behaviors that build a genuinely welcoming, collaborative workplace.
Being a genuine ally means backing up affirming words with affirming action, not just good intentions. The more professionals understand the real needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ people, the better equipped they are to help disrupt negative health and wellness outcomes and support genuinely better ones. That's not just a job for therapists — case managers, support staff, front desk teams, and anyone else in a position of care has room to offer real affirmative support.
LEARN 🎯
Understand the stakes
What minority stress and rejection actually do to LGBTQ+ clients, employees, and students.
REFLECT 💭
Examine the gaps
Where current attitudes, policy, or habits fall short of genuine affirmation.
GROW 🏳️🌈
Build the practice
Concrete, trauma-informed strategies your team can use starting the next day.
Ways to work together
No packages to decode, no fine print gymnastics. Every call and audit is open to clinicians and non-clinicians alike, anywhere in the world — only the WPATH training is clinician-specific.
START HERE
Free Discovery Call
$0
15 minutes • video call
Whether you're a therapist, a manager, or a HR director, let's see if this is the right fit before you spend a dime.
1 : 1 COACHING
Coaching Call
$97
50 minutes • video call
Whether you're a therapist, a manager, or a HR director, bring your hardest case, your trickiest team question, or a form you're not sure about.
VIRTUAL AUDIT
The Affirming Audit
$147
Written report + screen recording • no call required
One LGBTQ+ inclusive audit, everything included: your website, your forms, a secret shopper walkthrough of your space or services, your policies, and whatever else you want audited.
ON-DEMAND TRAINING
Gender-Affirming Letter Training
$147
Done-for-you templates • instant access
Understand what the WPATH organization is, your role as the clinician, how to protect yourself in an anti-LGBTQ+ climate, and get access to my templates so that you can start writing letters today.
Ways to work together
No packages to decode, no fine print gymnastics. Every call and audit is open to clinicians and non-clinicians alike, anywhere in the world — only the WPATH training is clinician-specific.
START HERE
Free Discovery Call
$0
15 minutes • video call
Whether you're a therapist, a manager, or an HR director, let's see if this is the right fit before you spend a dime.
1 : 1 COACHING
Coaching Call
$97
50 minutes • video call
Whether you're a therapist, a manager, or an HR director, bring your hardest case, your trickiest team question, or a form you're not sure about.
VIRTUAL AUDIT
The Affirming Audit
$147
Written report + screen recording • no call required
One LGBTQ+ inclusive audit, everything included: your website, your forms, a secret shopper walkthrough of your space or services, your policies, and whatever else you want audited.
ON-DEMAND TRAINING
Gender-Affirming Letters
$147
Done-for-you templates • instant access
Understand what the WPATH organization is, your role as the clinician, how to protect yourself in an anti-LGBTQ+ climate, and get access to my templates so that you can start writing letters today.
Agency & Group Trainings
Bringing this to your whole team? Let's talk specifics — group size, format, and goals.
Who this is for
This is built for allies — people and organizations who want to do this well, whether or not LGBTQ+ clients are already walking through your door.
Allies and organizations wanting to become more inclusive — no LGBTQ+ specialty required
Practices, hospitals, and agencies in areas seeing more LGBTQ+ clients than they used to, even without an existing specialty
Therapists, doctors, and other clinicians wanting to genuinely serve LGBTQ+ clients
Hotels, gyms, massage therapists, and local businesses serving the public
Employment agencies, HR teams, and employers building inclusive culture
Anyone, anywhere — this work is available nationwide and worldwide
Who this is for
This is built for allies — people and organizations who want to do this well, whether or not LGBTQ+ clients are already walking through your door.
Allies and organizations wanting to become more inclusive — no LGBTQ+ specialty required
Practices, hospitals, and agencies in areas seeing more LGBTQ+ clients than they used to, even without an existing specialty
Therapists, doctors, and other clinicians wanting to genuinely serve LGBTQ+ clients
Hotels, gyms, massage therapists, and local businesses serving the public
Employment agencies, HR teams, and employers building inclusive culture
Anyone, anywhere — this work is available nationwide and worldwide
Agency & Group Trainings
Bringing this to your whole team? Let's talk specifics — group size, format, and goals.
Consulting and coaching services are professional education and organizational development services. They are separate from, and do not constitute, psychotherapy or a clinician-client relationship. WPATH letter writing training is educational in nature and not a substitute for legal advice.