LGBTQ+ Therapy

 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, which could lead to hiding who you are, and you may even feel unsafe in your environment.

You may also 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+ Individuals are More Likely to Experience Mental Health Issues

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. In addition, lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide, and youth questioning their sexuality are two times more likely to attempt suicide compared to heterosexual youth. These statistics express a clear need for counseling services in the LGBTQ+ community. 

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 individuals’ beliefs and actions, which in turn impacts their mental health. Stigma creates fear and stops people from taking action, especially when it comes to asking for help as they may fear judgment and rejection.

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) as you go throughout your day. You may be treated differently at work or have difficulty getting an apartment. You may feel a need to change your behavior in response to discrimination or out of fear of it. For example, you may avoid medical settings (including LGBTQ+ therapy settings), hide relationships, not turn to law enforcement for help, or not dress the way you want to. 

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.

Therapists provide a safe, supportive environment where individuals can be open, vulnerable and explore themselves (and their situations) in ways they can’t in their day-to-day environments. They will receive access to resources and build skills to manage anxiety, depression, and any other challenges they may be experiencing related to their mental health. 

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 we gain clarity, we can help you 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. 

Sadly, 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 our 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 learn how to express yourself and manage your mental health in positive and productive ways. We focus on changing the way we think and developing healthier responses to upsetting or difficult situations. These methods emphasize challenging our way of thinking, regulating our emotions, accepting things we cannot change, and increasing our ability to handle stressful or uncomfortable moments while being more mindful or present.

Our LGBTQ+ affirming therapists pride themselves on creating a safe, judgment-free, inclusive space. 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. 

We are compassionate and do our best to meet you where you are and stay by your side throughout your journey. 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.

You Still May Have Doubts About LGBTQ+ Therapy

Will you understand my experience?

Our therapists understand that everyone has unique life experiences (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. This is necessary for you to feel comfortable and receive the full benefits of therapy.

I don’t know if therapy is right for me.

Because we 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. We understand reaching out and getting started is often the hardest part, which is why we try to make it as easy as possible by allowing you to schedule online at your convenience. 

You can also request a free 15-minute consultation to get a feel for your LGBTQ+ therapist and ensure they’re the right fit.

We would love to help you navigate this journey so you can live your best life.