LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy is a type of therapy designed to provide specific support to individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ so that they feel safe, understood, validated, and valued. Therapists who use this approach are specially...
Throughout their lifetime, many people confront questions about their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Contrary to what you might have been taught to believe, it’s natural and healthy to consider your own unique sexual orientation and gender identity, outside of the limiting binaries of gay/straight, male/female that society presents to us. Most of us aren’t taught that sexual orientation and gender identity exist on a spectrum, and most people’s identity doesn’t land on either end of that spectrum, like our existing binary categories would suggest.
Without the right education or exposure, it can feel lonely, scary, or even unsafe to question your sexual orientation or gender identity. But it’s important for you to know that you aren’t alone and there’s nothing wrong with you. It’s normal and healthy to explore these questions about your identity—and it’s important that you find the right space and the right support for doing it in a helpful way.
If you identify as LGBTQIA+, you’re part of a community that’s over 20-million people strong in the U.S. However, though an estimated 8% of the population identifies as somewhere in the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, our country remains heteronormative and cisnormative, and complete acceptance of queer identities has yet to be secured.
One result of our culture’s lack of full acceptance and representation of healthy queer individuals is a high rate of mental health challenges among people who identify as LGBTQIA+. If you’re part of the community and struggle with depression, anxiety, dysphoria, PTSD, or other issues, it’s important for you to know three things: (1) There’s nothing wrong with you; (2) You’re not alone; (3) Support is available.
If you’re in a same-sex or queer relationship, you know that you experience many of the same highs and lows that people in heterosexual relationships do. But you’re also probably aware that you deal with specific relationship issues and concerns. Maybe one of you is out and the other isn’t ready. Perhaps one or both of you are dealing with internalized homophobia or transphobia. You may be experiencing struggles and pressures from family, religion, culture, or community. Or maybe you’re being impacted by external threats, like an unsafe environment or hostile attitudes toward queer people and relationships.
Whatever the strengths and challenges of your relationship might look like, it’s helpful to have a space where you can safely and openly explore what’s working and what’s standing in the way to health, harmony, and happiness. You might have been avoiding reaching out for support because of concerns that you won’t be met with the kind of acceptance and understanding you need. This is understandable, as not all therapists know how to address the particular concerns and challenges that same-sex and queer couples encounter.
Whether you’re exploring your sexual orientation or gender identity, dealing with mental health challenges as a queer person, or working through issues in your relationship, you need and deserve a therapist who understands you. Acceptance is the bare minimum of what you should receive from your therapist. You should be embraced and understood. You shouldn’t feel that you have to educate your therapist or justify yourself. You should have a sense of confidence that your therapist has more than just basic knowledge about queer identities and relationships.
At Evergreen Therapy, I have been embedded in the LGBTQIA+ community for decades and have been actively involved in advocacy and allyship at multiple levels. My LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy approach goes beyond basic acceptance and understanding to really meet you where you’re at.
When you work with me, you will be welcomed, embraced, accepted, and understood. I am committed to providing affirmative, informed, and person-centered individual and couples therapy to support anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+. Whether you’re healing from trauma or abuse, working through internalized homophobia, coping with rejection from family, feeling disconnected in your community, examining your gender identity or expression, exploring the possibility of transition, or navigating relationship challenges, I am here to support you.
My goal is to make the therapy process completely tailored to your unique experience and needs. That means that everything from what you address in your sessions to how long the process takes is completely up to you. I hope that you’ll feel safe and connected throughout the process, and I’m confident that you’ll feel genuinely supported every step of the way.
The issues you explore in therapy are yours to decide. Some of the many issues I’ve supported my LGBTQIA+ clients with addressing include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD & Complex PTSD
- Internalized homophobia
- Gender dysphoria
- Eating disorders
- Navigating the coming out process
- Healing from the impacts of shame
- Working through family of origin traumas
- Going through gender affirming transition
- Cultural and religious concerns
- Substance abuse
- Self-esteem concerns
- Relationship boundaries, rules, and expectations
This list represents just some of the many topics we may explore together. In every stage of the process, you’ll be supported and encouraged to go at your own pace and focus on what’s most important to you. This is your journey, after all.
To learn more about how therapy at Evergreen Therapy can help you, call 305-814-4863 to set up a complimentary virtual consultation to answer your questions before you decide to get started.
My virtual therapy platform is designed to give you quick and easy access to therapy from the comfort of your own home. Living in a heteronormative and cisnormative world can be hard, but finding a great therapist shouldn’t be. I am here to help!
People who identify as LGBTQIA+ are at higher risk of experiencing several mental health challenges—not because of who they are as people, but because of the stigmatization of queer identities that still exists in our...
Although LGBTQIA+ people face relationship issues just like those faced by all couples, they also encounter some unique challenges that are unique to their experience. From differences in personal identities and experiences to issues like...
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