John Sovec, MA, LMFT is a nationally recognized expert on creating affirmative support for LGBTQIA+ teens and their families during the coming out process. He is the author of the award winning bestseller Out: A Parent’s Guide to Supporting Your LGBTQIA+ Kid Through Coming Out and Beyond (JKP, 2023). John is a frequent contributor to numerous publications on providing LGBTQIA+ support, speaks at conferences nationally, and provides training and professional consultation on LGBTQIA+ competencies for community agencies, schools, and non-profits. In addition, he consults and trains on the corporate level regarding diversity, equity, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion. John is the clinical consultant for The Life Group LA, adjunct faculty at Phillips Graduate Institute and guest lecturer at Alliant University, Antioch, Cal State Fullerton, and USC School of Social Work. In December 2019, he was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. John is a nationally recognized expert on creating affirmative LGBTQIA+ support with his work featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, OWN, FOX, NPR, Bravo, The Riki Lake Show, The Washington Post , Newsweek, Reader Digest, The Advocate, LA Talk Radio, and columns for Huffington Post, Medium, and Good Therapy. He is the host of OutTalk, a monthly web series for OutCare Health. You can learn more about John and his work at www.JohnSovec.com and www.GayTeenTherapy.com