Are You Frustrated Living In A Society That Doesn't Fully Accept You?
Does the current political and social climate make you feel overwhelmed because of the discrimination you face?
Do you often struggle to know your own identity or feel accepted for who you are?
Are you finding it difficult to overcome inner turmoil and existential unease as you navigate your purpose in a world that doesn’t seem to respect you?
Being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community can be challenging, to say the least. You may be ridiculed for living your truth or figuring out who you want to be, which impacts your emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing.
Lack of acceptance from family and friends, along with societal discrimination and political anxieties, can take an overwhelming toll on the choices you make and your outlook on life. As a result, maybe you’re thinking of connecting with an LBGTQ+ therapist.
Society Looks Down On Those Who Are Different—People Like Us
If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, asexual, or anywhere else on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, it probably feels like you’re living your life having to explain yourself. People who are close to you may misunderstand—or worse, completely dismiss—your own unique experiences. With the ever-changing political climate, you may feel anxious about lawmakers constantly infringing on your rights, leaving you wondering if certain resources that you rely on will even be available moving forward.
If you’re thinking about, or are in the process of transitioning, you may be experiencing dysphoria—a feeling that your gender identity isn’t congruent with the sex that you were assigned at birth. If you don’t have a lot of support when it comes to gender identity issues, you might experience irritability, frustration, and even depression.
This is why having a counselor who understands and values you as someone who identifies as and belongs to the LGBTQIA+ community is so important. In therapy, you have the chance to unpack your fears, traumas, hopes, and dreams so that you can move forward with a newfound sense of self-worth and acceptance.
The Reasons Our Community Struggles With Mental Health
From a young age, we’re often taught to hide parts of who we are—whether that’s through being teased by our peers based on how we carry ourselves, or being “othered” or misunderstood by family members and loved ones. With the odds constantly stacked against us, it can be easy to feel alone in our journeys.
However, it’s important to know that we are not alone. Nearly 5.8 million people in the U.S. identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Our experiences often weigh heavily on all of us, as 39 percent of the LGBTQ population report having a mental illness of some sort. [1] So, there are plenty of people out there who know and understand what you’re going through, even if at times it feels like you’re on your own.
Community and Allyship Go A Long Way
Because we’re scrutinized so heavily in our daily lives, those outside of our community don’t always understand how far allyship can go. According to a survey conducted by The Trevor Project, “roughly half of transgender and nonbinary young people found their school to be gender-affirming, and those who did reported lower rates of attempting suicide.” [2]
Many of us, especially transgender folks, often choose to stay closeted and avoid living the way that we feel most true to ourselves because of threats to our safety. Political anxieties also impact our mental wellbeing, as many of us worry about our resources and rights to properly identify with our gender or marry who we love being taken away, among others.
Needless to say, having a supportive community around us makes a huge difference. When we are loved and accepted by others, it becomes easier to love and accept ourselves and see the good in who we are.
Having an expressive outlet where you can be yourself without any ridicule or judgment is so vital to healing and finding your place in the world—that’s what gaining an LGBTQIA+ therapist offers you. Therapy with Heads Held High Counseling gives you the chance to find comprehensive and compassionate support from a counselor who has a unique understanding of what it’s like to identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Learn Self-Love And Self-Acceptance With LGBTQ+ Therapy
Whether you’re someone in the midst of discovering who you are, you are taking steps to come out or you’ve already been identifying as LGBTQ+ for a long time, we are here to help you overcome your challenges and fulfill your goals. Our therapists offer counseling services to those who are gay, lesbian, transgender, or anywhere else on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum that will help ignite a sense of affirmation, self-care, and acceptance. Our goal is to get you to a point where you feel happy and confident living life on your terms, not everyone else’s.
What To Expect In LGBTQIA+ Therapy
We begin with a standard questionnaire to pair you with a therapist who matches your needs and goals. All of our clinicians identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community, so each of us brings expert guidance, personal understanding, and lived-in experiences to our counseling services.
From there, we will individualize your experience to best suit your goals. Our approach combines practical skills with deeper understanding, combining evidence-based techniques to give you quality results.
Your therapy plan may include methods such as:
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EMDR Therapy to reduce distress and anxiety related to trauma and help you free yourself from the pain of the past
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Mindfulness Practices to give you skills for staying grounded and connected with your body, especially when dealing with dysphoria or overwhelming emotions
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you challenge and overcome negative thought patterns, making it easier to reduce stress and anxiety and view your identity in a more positive light
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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to teach you how to regulate your emotions, set boundaries, and lower distress when navigating difficult situations
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Narrative and Expressive Arts Therapy to provide you with the freedom to rewrite your story and express your feelings in a way that is healthy and uplifting
At Heads Held High Counseling, we aim to provide you with a space where you can feel safe expressing your fears, emotions, expectations, and dreams. Whether you want to better manage feelings of dysphoria, find a label for your sexuality/gender that feels fitting, or learn to communicate your needs with those around you, we will do whatever it takes to bring you to a place of hope and healing.
You May Have Some Questions About LGBTQIA+ Therapy…
I’ve had insensitive therapists in the past—how can I trust that this time will be any different?
No matter what, our practice strives to avoid microaggressions, misgendering, or other harmful behaviors that derive from ignorance. As LGBTQIA+ individuals ourselves, we’ve each had our own fair share of bad experiences with therapists who lacked the understanding or sensitivity to provide the affirming care that we needed. Even to the point of having to educate them on our culture. That’s why we are so passionate about helping our clients feel seen, heard, and accepted.
What if I don’t have enough money for therapy right now?
We understand that therapy is a significant financial investment, especially for those in marginalized communities. This is why we accept all major commercial insurance plans and give you resources to help you access affordable care if you have MassHealth or Medicare.
Whatever your financial situation is, we will work alongside you to provide the best options that suit your budget so that you can focus on what matters most—healing. It’s important to remember that therapy is an investment in yourself, and the results could stay with you for a lifetime.
How long will therapy take?
While striving to feel like the truest, happiest, and most authentic version of yourself is a lifelong journey, you can actually begin to feel the effects of therapy relatively quickly. Many of our clients begin to see improvement within six months to a year, depending on the goals they set for themselves. You are welcome to pursue therapy in the short term or the long term; we are here to support you either way.
Let LGBTQIA+ Therapy Guide You To Affirming Your Truest Self
If you need guidance in figuring out who you are, living your truth, and navigating the challenges of being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, our therapy services can help you no matter where you’re at in your journey. Please reach out via our contact page to learn more about our practice or schedule a consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!
