Your sexual orientation or gender identity should not be a source of distress. But LGBTQ individuals suffer from considerable social stigma, creating a constant source of anxiety and stress. Are you seeking therapy for problems associated with your gender or sexual identity? If so, you need to find the right mental health professional.

You need someone familiar with the challenges faced by members of the LGBTQ community. These challenges can be a huge impediment to your well-being. LGBTQ therapy services can empower you. It can help you navigate challenges more effectively. 

Meaning of LGBTQ Therapy

Many members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community seek therapy. They seek counseling for the same issues straight individuals face. These include couples therapy, depression, grief, work stress, anxiety, and more. Many of these problems have little to do with identity, gender, or sexuality. But members of the LGBTQ community do face some unique challenges.

Coping With Stigma and Mental Health Issues

LGBTQ people tend to seek mental health counseling at a high rate. This is because of the challenges and stressors they face. These include discrimination, homophobia, and lack of support. Finding an LGBTQ-friendly therapist can validate a patient’s experience. 

LGBTQ individuals face so much discrimination and stigma. These often come from family members, classmates, co-workers, peers, and society. This contributes to the higher rates of mental health issues. 

Those in this community are more likely to engage in self-harm practices. Many have substance abuse problems. Some even experience suicidal thoughts. It is not surprising that these individuals seek therapy services at higher rates. In addition to dealing with the effects of discrimination and stigma, the LGBTQ population also seeks counseling services for the following:
 

• Sexual Identity Problems

Sexual orientation or identity refers to your sexual fantasies, feelings, thoughts, and emotions. These feelings contribute to your romantic or sexual attraction to another person. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals often experience periods of questioning their sexual orientation. This can cause a lot of stress and confusion. Also pertinent to the issue of sexual identity is the coming-out process. It is important to learn how to deal with other people’s reactions. 
 

• Gender Dysphoria

This is a psychological condition. People whose gender expression and identity do not match with their assigned gender at birth experience this problem. It can cause a lot of distress and affect an individual’s overall mental health. 

Affirmative Therapy

People are becoming more aware of the challenges faced by the LGBTQ population. Consequently, many therapists are tailoring their services to this community’s specific needs. 

LGBTQ therapy services focus on the empowerment of individuals through affirmative counseling. In the past, therapists and counselors were uneducated about gender and sexuality issues. This causes many LGBTQ patients to end their treatment prematurely. With the emergence of affirmative therapy, however, this gap is starting to close. 

Do you want to learn more about LGBTQ therapy services? Visit Comprehensive Counseling Services, LLC, at our office in Tallahassee, Florida. You can call (850) 688-2244 today to book an appointment.