LGBTQ+ Therapy
Are You Still Learning To Accept Your Own Sexual Orientation Or Gender Identity?
Do you struggle with internalized homophobia? Do you feel uncomfortable embracing your identity as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, even if you’ve already come out? Does it seem like you’re out of step with your peers, and rather than striving to reach your full potential, you’re afraid to work towards what you really want?
Lots of LGBTQ+ people grapple with internalized homophobia, which can compromise your sense of self and manifest as the belief that you don’t belong in the spaces where “everyone else” is welcome. Maybe you feel like you can be open about your identity in certain environments, but have to hide who you are in others. Perhaps you’re still exploring your identity or grappling with gender dysphoria, and this leaves you feeling unmoored and uncertain about the future.
Many LGBTQ+ People Feel Like They Must Sacrifice Their Own Happiness
If you’ve faced prejudice or stigma because of your identity, or you simply feel out of place in your social circle, you might compromise on your own happiness. Maybe you talk yourself out of applying for better jobs, resign yourself to unfulfilling relationships, or accept disrespectful treatment from family members, friends, and coworkers because you’re not sure you deserve anything better.
As a result, you might be struggling with anxiety, depression, isolation, shame, difficulties with dating, or even alcohol and substance abuse. A fear of bullying, harassment, or conflict might cause you to avoid situations or public spaces where you have to interact socially, which makes you feel as though there’s a barrier between you and your wider community.
Through therapy, you can identify the specific issues that are causing you distress and learn healthy coping strategies for managing these symptoms. A therapist can help you get comfortable with honoring your own needs and start taking steps towards building a life you’re proud of.
Have any questions? Send us a message!
Discrimination And Stigma Can Make LGBTQ+ Individuals Feel Inadequate
While our society has made progress regarding the rights of people in the LGBTQ+ community, individuals in this community still face discrimination in their personal and professional lives. LGBTQ+ people might struggle to find steady employment or access essential healthcare services, and depending on where they live, they may be affected by legal barriers pertaining to marriage, adoption, or protections against hate crimes. Furthermore, many LGBTQ+ people deal with bullying and sexual harassment in school, at work, and other public spaces, which leads to social anxiety, isolation, and difficulty trusting others.
Media representation of LGBTQ+ people often lacks diversity and portrays negative stereotypes, which further harms self-perceptions. Additionally, LGBTQ+ people who were raised in religious environments might be burdened by intense shame and guilt surrounding their identities.
All of these factors can reinforce feelings of inadequacy and even self-hatred, causing LGBTQ+ people to internalize societal stigmas and doubt the validity of their own identities.
It’s Hard To Address Mental Health Without A Support Group
Many people in the LGBTQ+ community wish they could open up to their loved ones about the guilt, shame, pain, and self-doubt they feel. But LGBTQ+ individuals who have been rejected by their families of origin or live in areas where they face heavy discrimination may be ostracized from social support systems.
Some LGBTQ+ people struggle to find therapists who understand their unique perspectives and challenges. With my experience as a therapist working with the LGBTQ+ community, as well as my comprehensive knowledge of affirming mental healthcare practices, I can provide you with critical support as you work towards building your self-worth.
LGBTQ+ Therapy Can Help You Find Self-Acceptance
When you are working with a counselor who has specialized knowledge in supporting LGBTQ+ people, you can share your experiences in a secure, comfortable environment where your identity will be respected. Whether you are gay, transgender, gender non-conforming, or questioning your gender or sexuality, we’ll assess the factors that might be affecting your mental health and explore how your relationships influence your self-esteem. We’ll also outline your long-term goals and build your communication and assertiveness skills so that you can become more resilient and start building a healthier support system.
I understand that many LGBTQ+ people hesitate to seek therapy because they worry that their identities will be questioned and scrutinized. I follow the American Psychological Association (APA) and World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) guidelines for counseling with LGBTQ+ individuals, including affirming identities, upholding cultural competence, creating a safe and confidential space, delivering personalized care, and providing access to LGBTQ+ affirming resources and ongoing education (1, 2).
What To Expect In LGBTQ+ Counseling
When you begin therapy, you’ll be able to share the specific issues that prompted you to seek counseling and the symptoms you’ve been struggling with in your daily life. In addition to working towards true self-acceptance, we’ll also discuss whether some of these problems are related to your LGBTQ+ identity, or whether they might be rooted in other factors. I’ll also equip you with information about your legal rights as a member of a protected class and medical options so that you can better navigate healthcare and legal settings.
Furthermore, if you are questioning your gender identity or trying to cope with gender dysphoria, I can help you work through decisions around affirming your gender in therapy. Even if you are not interested in starting any gender-affirming journey, I can guide you in processing any complex thoughts or feelings you might have about your gender.
Treatment Approaches To LGBTQ+ Therapy
I can integrate several therapeutic approaches to create an LGBTQ+ affirmative treatment plan that is customized to your needs. Through psychodynamic therapy, we’ll examine your personal history and how events, relationships, and instances of discrimination or traumatic experiences in your past have influenced your life in the present.
I’ll incorporate psychoeducation to address how societal beliefs about the LGBTQ+ community might be negatively affecting your self-concept. Additionally, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help you challenge negative thought patterns and internalized homophobia and transphobia.
With narrative therapy, you separate your identity from any shame you’ve experienced and shape a new, positive narrative about your self-image. Body positivity and identity exploration exercises can help you foster authenticity, and we’ll also work on strengthening your communication, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and advocacy skills so that you set boundaries and fulfill your own needs.
Through therapy, you can feel secure in your identity, build your resilience to stress, foster healthy relationships with people who love you for who you are, and express yourself without shame. I’ll help you create a life in which you can embody your true identity and gain a sense of personal empowerment.
But You May Still Have Questions About LGBTQ+ Therapy…
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I prioritize clients’ privacy and adhere strictly to ethical and legal guidelines regarding confidentiality, including HIPAA. In addition, I uphold the APA and WPATH guidelines for therapy with LGBTQ+ individuals with an emphasis on affirmation and emotional safety. I will respect your identity without judgment as we build a trusting therapeutic relationship.
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In my practice, I use inclusive language, maintain strict confidentiality, and respect my clients’ diverse identities, creating a welcoming atmosphere where clients feel validated and understood. I pursue ongoing education regarding LGBTQ+ issues, and I approach therapy from a collaborative perspective, working closely with clients to address their specific needs and connect them with resources to support their well-being.
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In addition to working with LGBTQ+ individuals as a therapist, I have written numerous scientific papers covering LGBTQ+-affirmative therapy and transgender and gender-diverse-affirmative therapy. LGBTQ+-affirmative therapy is my primary research area, and I have collaborated with universities in Italy and the United States, including San Francisco State University, to advance research on these topics. I apply these insights to empower LGBTQ+ individuals through personalized strategies.
Therapy Can Help You Express Yourself Without Shame
If you’re ready to practice self-compassion, gain confidence in your identity, and build relationships with people who accept you for who you are, therapy may be your next step. I invite you to fill out my contact form to schedule a free, 50-minute consultation in-person or over Zoom to find out if psychodynamic therapy suits your needs.
https://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines/glbt.pdf
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/26895269.2022.2100644
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