LGBTQIA2+ Individuals

Even with growing acceptance and understanding of the prisms of identity layered within LGBTQIA+ communities, it can be difficult to navigate the layers of yourself alone.

You might choose to come to counseling for the unique challenges your queerness introduces to your life, or simply for guidance in navigating the waters of your world.

Queer Relationships

Your relationships look different when the way you love is outside the bounds of the societal standard. For many folks, they function differently as well.

We think that’s beautiful but it doesn’t always feel good when you’re working to overcome isolation, confusion or conflict associated with the shape of those relationships. Your therapist needs to be familiar with how that feels.

Sexual Identity Discovery

Your sexual identity expands beyond the people you like to have sex with. The way you engage with romance and sex is all a part of your sexual identity.

Whether wearing a label feels validating or restricting, therapy can help you navigate the questions, emotions or even trauma associated with your sexual identity. Discovering your truth can help you shape your past into possibility.

Parents of LGBTQIA2+ Youth

We offer support for parents looking to provide the care and support your youth need, even when you’re not quite sure what that means.

From learning about the process of finding an LGBTQIA+ identity to navigating the complexity of supporting the challenges and community your children are now a part of, therapy can help parents be allies for their kids.

DISCRIMINATION IN THE LGBTQIA2+ COMMUNITY

There are a number of societal issues that can lead someone who identifies as LGBTQIA2+ to feel anxious or depressed, rejected or bullied, and even consider taking drastic measures in order to cope.

These individuals face challenges from the moment they step outside their front door and often face added challenges behind closed doors as well. Some individuals may also even face problems in the workplace due to their LGBTQIA2+ status, whether it’s passive aggression from a coworker or just flat-out discrimination.

Social Rejection & Bullying

From painful rejection to sexual assault, the spectrum of pain associated with discrimination leaves its mark. The trauma of social rejection and bullying is something often carried deep and close through life, even well beyond when it’s happened. These experiences are more common for LGBTQIA+ folks to face. Often, they can lead to chronic stress and other physical ailments.

LGBTQIA+ students and young people are nearly ten times more likely to be the victims of verbal or physical violence. This elevated risk is carried forward into adulthood as LGBTQIA+ adults may experience discrimination in work, housing, employment, education and basic rights.

Suicidal Thoughts & Self-Harm

While the general public’s suicidal consideration statistic hovers just below 5%, that same statistic is over 40% for trans folks. Stigma and discrimination drive up the rates of mental health struggles among LGBTQIA+ populations. From your closest family to the furthest reaches of society, living your truth puts you at risk.

When the stress and pain of experiencing this discrimination becomes too much, many people turn to the darkest recesses of their mind. Thoughts of suicide and self-harm may be a consideration that feels alluring or just like an escape.

If you feel immediately at risk of suicide, please call 911 right now. If self-harm has become a part of your coping mechanism, a qualified therapist is here to help. Please don’t wait until it’s too late to find the support you deserve.

Will I Be Able To Learn To Accept My LGBTQIA2+ Child?

Yes, in many respects, given our current culture, this is normal to have a difficult time coming to terms with your child's admission of their sexuality. What matters is that you are aware of the difficulty you are having and are taking steps to better understand their reality and to become their ally through it as well.

Some of the best things that you can do as a parent, especially initially, is to educate yourself about the LGBTQIA2+ community and familiarize yourself with many of the unique challenges they face.

In this time, seek out a support community, of parents who have been through similar paths with their own children, and seek your own opportunity to process with a counselor what this means for your family.

How Can I Become An Advocate For My LGBTQIA2+ Child?

Know that this is likely to be a long road for your child and that while times are changing, it is still important that you do what you can to help them weather the storm.

This looks like:

• Educating yourself on human rights laws and LGBTQIA2+ applications.

• Speaking up if you witness (or are the victim of) discrimination.  Even though it can be difficult to share these kinds of experiences, it is one of the best ways to advocate for the LGBTQIA2+ community, and fight discrimination.

• Sharing your experiences.  The more the stigma surrounding this population is talked about, the more awareness it can gain.

How Will Being LGBTQIA2+ Impact My Mental Health?

Whether you are living in your truth or still sorting out what that means, being LGBTQIA2+ has already impacted your mental health. This may occur through allowing you the space and freedom to process your trauma in a light of knowing you can authentically move forward from here. The validation of accessing and embracing your LGBTQIA2+ identity can change your life in ways you’ve only imagined.

There are a number of factors specific to the LGBTQIA2+ community that contribute to negative reports of mental health, including disconnect or alienation from loved ones as a result of their gender identity or sexual orientation. When relationships become toxic as a result of your honesty or you feel it neccesary to hide your identity to protect yourself, it can be difficult on your mental health and family relationships as well.

Depression, anxiety and thoughts of suicide may be increased for those with minority identities and LGBQTIA2+ fall into this category. Elevated risk of substance abuse joins scary statistics regarding depression, but these risks are amplified by remaining in a life that does not feel authentic for you.

How Can Counseling Help With Issues Regarding Sexuality & Gender Identity?

Counseling can be incredibly helpful to the process of learning to accept yourself (or your child) as a member of the LGBTQIA2+ community. In addition to processing pain, many people find LGBTQIA2+ therapy to be validating so they can learn to celebrate themselves.

Our work together can help you to:

• Process the effects of discrimination & homophobia

• Explore gender identity and expression

• Gain a greater understanding of the “coming out” process

• Review & work through trauma

• Develop coping skills to work through anxiety, depression, and sexual uncertainty

• Address relationship issues

Let Them Know They Are Loved

Sharing their truth with you was likely a huge milestone for your child. Those moments are often fraught with anxiety and fear. Your response will shape the framework for their perceived safety with you from this moment forward. Use that impactful moment to show them your love is unwavering, even if your confidence isn’t.

Research shows that LGBTQIA2+ teens who are supported by their families grow up to be happier and healthier adults.

To be clear, you don’t need to be an LGBTQIA2+ expert, or always know what to say, the most important thing however is that you communicate your love and care.

Keep The Conversation Alive

Let curiosity and open conversation drive the way forward with your LGBTQIA2+ young person. Ask questions about their life, work, passion and friends. Become a student in the lessons they have to teach you about the things that matter most in their world.

Small connection fosters big trust.Entertainment offers a great place to begin conversations that foster connection and encourage you to spend time together. Use television shows, music, or novels to share thoughts and feelings about characters and develop a shared space within your unique worlds.

These strategies can support you in connecting to their surface level happenings so you can be present in support the complexities of their deepest emotions as they grow.

Take A Team Approach

Your new reality with your child(ren) may feel overwhelming, no matter their age or the complexity of their identity. If you feel stressed or confused about how to process your own emotions while supporting them, there is nothing wrong with you. It’s okay to feel these things and they can co-exist. The important thing is you are doing the work to find the way forward together.

There is no set path but when you realize that you’ve lost your way, it’s best to call in the reinforcements.

Team up with your child’s pediatrician, a guidance counselor at school to support their growth. A close family member or community organization may also be a great addition to your network of trust. We’re here as well, to help facilitate the support you need in building a loving future together.