Updated on 9/13/2022
It’s natural for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to be cautious of therapy. After all, some people have historically been subjected to conversion therapy in the guise of improving their mental health. Fortunately, these days it’s easier to find an affirming therapist.
LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy can help.Looking for a LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapist? Find an experienced therapistLearn more
LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy can help.Looking for a LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapist? Find an experienced therapist
LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy can help.
Looking for a LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapist? Find an experienced therapist
Learn more
Read on to learn more about LGBTQIA+ therapy.
What is LGBTQIA+ Friendly Therapy?
While a cisgender, heterosexual therapist who typically works with heterosexual clients may be the perfect fit for a cisgender heterosexual man, they might not be a great match for someone in the LGBTQIA+ community. That’s why it’s crucial for LGBTQIA+ people to find a LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist.
LGBTQIA+ folks face a slew of struggles that some therapists might not understand likediscrimination, coming out, dysphoria, and more. So, it can be a game-changer for someone in the LGBTQIA+ community to find a therapist who is a part of the community themselves, or at least works extensively with the LGBTQIA+ community.
Affirming therapy is one of the key aspects of LGBTQIA+ friendly therapy. Basically, affirming therapy is when a therapist affirms or validates a client’s LGBTQIA+ identity, empowering them to embrace their gender identity and sexual orientation rather than trying to fight or change it. This is helpful whether you’re out and proud or if you’re newly questioning your sexual or gender identity.
The Importance of Therapy for the LGBTQIA+ Community
There’s a link between sexual orientation, gender identity, and mental wellbeing. The statistics surrounding LGBTQIA+mental healthare sobering. Adults in the LGBTQIA+ community are at least twice as likely to have a mental health condition than heterosexual adults, and transgender adults are aboutfour times as likelyto have a mental health condition than cisgender people. Even more alarming, a survey amongst transgender people found that a whopping 40% of the respondents had attempted suicide before.
The numbers make it clear: The LGBTQIA+ communityneedspropermental health careto address these problems. Not only do they need therapy, they need LGBTQIA+ friendly therapy for the most effective comprehensive care. Every member of the LGBTQIA+ community seeking therapy deserves an LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist who really gets them and the unique stressors they face.
The Process of Finding an LGBTQIA+ Friendly Therapist
Luckily, the internet makes finding an LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist simple. You have a few options for finding a provider who offers LGBTQIA+ friendly therapy:
Here are some qualifications to look out for once you come across the sites or profiles of therapists.
Be sure to choose a licensed therapist:When searching for the right fit for LGBTQIA+ counseling, you want to make sure you select a qualified licensed therapist or psychologist.
Keep in mind that therapists are licensed within their state, so it’s important you look for therapists in the same state as you so they can legally treat you.
Look for client specializations that fit your needs:When searching for an LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist, make sure you check their profile or website to see if they mention specializing in LGBTQIA+ friendly therapy and affirming therapy. If a therapist is an LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist, it’s very likely they’ll publicize this.
Find a therapist who’s part of the LGBTQIA+ community:While it isn’t necessary for an LGBTQIA+ person to have an LGBTQIA+ therapist, some prefer it. There are definitely perks that come along with this. An LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist who’s part of the community themselves will have firsthand experience dealing with something similar to what you’re dealing with. You won’t have to put in the emotional labor to educate them about the issues you face – they’ll understand from their own experience. Additionally, you might find that you’re simply more comfortable opening up about LGBTQIA+ issues to someone who is LGBTQIA+ themselves. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
Initial call:Most therapists will offer a free phone consultation before you decide to work with them. This opportunity is a great chance to get a better feel for the therapist’s personality and their approach to therapy. Use the initial call as your time to ask questions and make sure they’re an LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist. You may want to ask:
Aside from the specific questions related to LGBTQIA+ mental health providers, you should also ask questions related to the type of therapy provided and mental health conditions they treat.
How Does an LGBTQIA+ Friendly Therapist Help?
Having a good LGBTQIA+ friendly and affirming therapist can make a big difference in your life. Some qualities of a good LGBTQA+ mental health provider include:
With these qualities, training, and experience, an LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist can help you work through a variety of issues or struggles such as:
Additional LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Resources
To sum it all up, if you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community and struggling with your mental health and wellbeing,LGBTQIA+ friendly therapycan change your life for the better. Affirming therapy can help you feel proud to be LGBTQIA+, and an LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist can help you navigate your life struggles, making you a more confident and mentally resilient person.
It may take a couple of tries to find the LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist who’s best for you, but don’t give up. Individual therapy can be intimidating the first time around, so you can also find a therapist that conducts group therapy, couples therapy, or family therapy sessions. In case you can’t meet with your therapist in person, we also haveonline therapyservices. Once you find your match, it’ll be well worth it.
Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.
Articles contain trusted third-party sources that are either directly linked to in the text or listed at the bottom to take readers directly to the source.
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