LGBTQ+ Therapy
Are You a Member of the LGBTQ+ Community and Facing Mental Health Issues?
Do you feel like you’re alone and no one understands you?
Do you feel like you can’t be yourself?
Do you worry that you’ll never be accepted by family or friends?
Do you fear for your safety?
Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community is not easy. Although society has come a long way over the years, not everyone is as accepting as they could or should be. Even if you surround yourself with people who love and accept you, you may still feel misunderstood at times. This can be very isolating. Having an LGBTQ+ counselor can be beneficial, especially if you do not have a strong support system.
You may fear judgment or discrimination. You may feel different from others but not fully understand why or how you’re feeling. You may have questions about your gender identity or sexual orientation. Does your sex assigned at birth align with your gender identity? Do you feel that you don’t “fit” in your own body? Do you find yourself having a strong desire to be a different gender?
LGBTQ+ therapy can help you explore these feelings.
LGBTQ+ Individuals are More Likely to Experience Mental Health Issues
There is a clear need for counseling services in the LGBTQ+ community. According to the American Psychiatric Association, LGBTQ+ individuals are 2.5 times more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and substance misuse compared to heterosexual individuals.
You May be Impacted by Stigma
Although people have worked to break down barriers, the stigma of being a member (or even an ally) of the LGBTQ+ community remains prevalent. These negative and unfair biases can impact your beliefs and actions, which in turn impacts your mental health. Stigma creates fear and may stop you from taking action, especially when it comes to asking for help. You may avoid medical settings, hide relationships, not turn to law enforcement for help, or not dress the way you want to.
You May Experience Discrimination
Discrimination takes place in subtle and not-so-subtle ways in the LGBTQ+ community. You may experience micro-aggressions (people making comments based on your sexuality or gender identity). You may be treated differently at work or have difficulty getting an apartment. You may feel a need to change your behavior as a way to avoid these situations.
You May be a Victim of Violence
Members of the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to be a victim of violence. You may have been bullied growing up. You may be harassed by peers or strangers on the street. Or you could be a victim of a hate crime. As a result, you may not feel safe showing your true self. You may be hyperaware of your surroundings or not trust others easily. You may avoid certain areas or places for fear of being a target.
All these experiences can have a negative impact on your mental health. Seeing an LGBTQ+ therapist can help.
LGBTQ+ Therapy Can Help You Improve your Mental Health
You may be having trouble concentrating or sleeping, lack motivation, worry uncontrollably, or feel sad. This may contribute to you not being interested in things you normally enjoy. Counseling has been shown to help people in the LGBTQ+ community who are experiencing mental health issues by lessening these types of symptoms (as well as others) and improving quality of life.
Our LBTQ+ affirming therapists provide a safe, supportive, inclusive environment where you can be open, vulnerable and explore yourself (and situations) in ways you can’t in your day-to-day environments. We have undergone cultural competency training, as well as LGBTQ-specific trainings, which helps us recognize and understand the unique dynamics and experiences of individuals of different sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
As part of the self-exploration process, LGBTQ+ therapy can help you answer questions you’ve been asking yourself: Who am I? Why do I feel like I don’t fit in? How can I change that?
As you gain clarity, you can determine how to best live in accordance with your true self. This includes sharing with others and learning how to communicate what you’re experiencing to those around you, as well as sharing with them what you need. Counseling can also help you with “coming out” to people in your life. It can teach you how to speak up for yourself and implement boundaries where needed.
Many individuals in the LGBTQ+ community have experienced trauma. In these instances, an LGBTQ+ therapist can help you understand and process your trauma, while also building skills to better manage your responses to trauma in the future. We do this through a trauma-informed lens, as our therapists have undergone training and have certificates in trauma-informed care.
Learning healthy coping skills is an important part of staying on top of your mental health. Our therapists use evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help you manage your mental health in positive and productive ways. These methods emphasize challenging your way of thinking, regulating your emotions, accepting things you cannot change, and increasing your ability to handle stressful or uncomfortable moments while being more mindful or present.
You Still May Have Doubts About LGBTQ+ Therapy
Will you understand my experience?
Our therapists understand that you have a unique life experience (and unique responses to those experiences). We take the time to ask questions and discuss your experiences and feelings with you so we can get to know and understand you, which helps us provide the best care.
I’m afraid I’ll be judged.
Those in the LGBTQ+ community frequently experience discrimination, and a natural response to this is to feel self-conscious and worry about what others think. This is why our LGBTQ+ affirming therapists prioritize creating a safe, non-judgmental space.
I don’t know if therapy is right for me.
Because you are constantly learning, growing, and evolving, everyone can benefit from therapy. Our approach is based on the types of challenges you’re experiencing in the moment, which can change throughout the therapy process. Our objective is to help you be the best version of yourself so you can reach your goals.
You Can Take Control of Your Mental Health
Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community presents unique challenges, and our LGBTQ+ counselors are here to help. To get started, schedule a free 20-minute consultation online. We want you to feel comfortable and confident in expressing your true self, living in accordance with your values and ultimately becoming the best version of yourself.
Therapists who specialize in LGBTQ+ Therapy:
Recent Blog Posts on LGBTQ+
