LGBTQ Concerns
Although a person’s sexual or romantic orientation or gender identity may not be a source of distress, people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, or any other type of non-conforming sexual or gender identity (known as LGBT, LGBTQ, or LGBTQIA, among others) may find that the social stigma of living as a sexual minority is a source of stress or anxiety.
Despite rapidly growing cultural acceptance of diverse sexual and romantic orientations and gender identifications, oppression, discrimination, and marginalization of LGBTQ people persists. Coping with discrimination and oppression, coming out to one’s family, and sorting out an “authentic” sense of self in the face of social expectations and pressures can lead to higher levels of depression, anxiety, substance use, and other mental health concerns for LGBTQ people.
When seeking therapy, whether for issues associated with one’s sexual, romantic, or gender identity or for everyday concerns, finding a qualified mental health professional who has experience and familiarity with issues that confront the LGBTQ community can be critical to successful therapy outcomes. If you are struggling with gender or sexual identity; feel alone, rejected, abandoned or fearful of expressing who you are? Then we are here to help.
Sexual Identity
Affirming Therapists Who Are LGBTQ Certified:
We possess the specialized training and counseling experience to assist you in understanding your experience with issues of sexuality, gender transitioning, internalized homophobia, hetero-sexism, family of choice, the coming out process, HIV/AIDS, anxiety, addiction, self-destructive behaviors, anxiety or depression.