LGBTQ Therapy
Has it been difficult to talk about issues related to being a LGBTQIA+ person?
Have you been questioning your identity or experiencing shame or guilt as result of being a LGBTQIA+ person?
Have you or your child been thinking about transitioning and are unsure where to start?
Have you been finding it difficult to connect with other people in the community—even in LGBTQIA+ spaces?
Have you been suppressing a part of who you are and are ready to start living your true, authentic self?
The reality is individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+ tend to experience significantly higher rates of substance use, depression, anxiety, suicidality, and abuse compared to non-LGBTQIA individuals. Whether you are trying to figure out what it means to be a LGBTQIA+ person, whether your sexuality or gender identity has impacted your relationship with you family, or whether you feel like you haven’t been able to get a grasp on your mental health, therapy with a LGBTQIA-identifying and competent therapist can provide a safe space for you to talk about what is going on without the fear of bias.
Common Issues That LGBTQ+ People Face
Research has shown that LGBTQIA+ individuals tend to experience substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and trauma at rates two-to-three times higher than non-LGBTQIA+ individuals. In our therapists’ experience working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, many tend to experience multiple co-occurring issues.
Depression and Anxiety
Many people in the community face higher rates of depression and anxiety due to the discrimination and homophobia/transphobia that many LGBTQIA+ experience. For many LGBTQIA+ people, first accounts of discrimination tends to be reported in childhood and adolescence, and this can shape certain negative stereotypes about LGBTQIA+ people that they end up internalizing and believing about themselves.
Substance Use and Abuse
Recent studies show substance use rates that are two-to-three times higher than non-LGBTQIA+ people, specifically among cannabis and alcohol. Other recent specifically points out the prevalence on the use of methamphetamines among men who have sex with men. On the other hand, there has been a shift and increase in sobriety among individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Feeling Disconnected and Alone
Though the LGBTQIA+ community is a community, many LGBTQIA+ people still experience and report feeling alone and disconnected—even in highly populated LGBTQIA+ spaces! Whether you are in your 20s, 30s, 50s, or 70s, many people in the community struggle with socializing and meeting people in the community.
Relationships and Sexual Desires
LGBTQIA+ individuals tend to engage in and experience different types of sexual and relationship experiences , and this can bring up new challenges for yourself and (if you’re in a relationship) your partner. It can be difficult sharing what you’re into and/or going through, and it can be just as frustrating trying to find a therapist who you feel comfortable sharing that with.
Transition-specific Issues
If you have been thinking about transitioning, therapy can provide resources, psychoeducation on transition-related topics, and a safe space for you to be your authentic and genuine self. Whether you are wanting to start transitioning or are trying to get back on HRT again and need a current WPATH letter, our team can provide competent care that is up-to-date with the current socio-political climate regarding gender affirming care.
Whether you are coming out for the first time, have been struggling finding a therapist that you feel comfortable with, or are needing gender affirming care, working with a LGBTQIA-competent therapist who has experience working with people just like you can provide a breath of fresh air.
Why LGBTQ-Competent Therapists Matter
Simply put, when you ask a lot of LGBTQIA+ individuals if they have a preference for a therapist, most of them state that they seek out a LGBTQIA-identified therapist or a therapist who has experience working with community. Whether you are looking for a therapist for your self or your child, you are putting trust in the therapist (and in yourself that you chose the “right” therapist) to be a safe space, to not project homophobic or unconscious biases, and to not refer you or your child out because they do not feel comfortable working with you or your child. And—especially in the state of Florida—it is even more important to have a therapist who is competent and aware of legal challenges that affect the community and how to navigate them.
While most universities and graduate programs have some type of class that introduces LGBTQIA+ topics, the majority of those working in mental health do not feel that their training has provided the necessary tools for LGBTQIA+ competency. Most therapists who report being competent in LGBTQIA+ issues typically work with the community and actively seek out continuing education to be on the frontlines of the issues affecting the community. So why does this matter? Well, research also show us that therapeutic outcomes is almost exclusively predicted by the comfortability that the client has with their therapist and the client’s perception as the therapist as an expert. In other words, finding a therapist who is competent and has experience working with people like you tends to be challenging, however, it also makes all the difference in your therapeutic progress.
Common Questions Regarding Therapy for LGBTQIA+ Individuals
Can you help with letters for hormones or gender affirming surgeries?
As of right now, we can provide WPATH letters for adults who are interested in starting or getting back on hormone replacement therapy and/or gender affirming surgery.
I’ve been struggling finding a therapist that I feel comfortable with. Can I meet my therapist first before committing to therapy?
Absolutely! We get it, and that’s why we offer free, 15-minute consult calls. This gives you an opportunity to meet briefly with one (or all) of our clinicians to see who would be the best fit for you.
Can you assist my child who identifies as LGBTQIA+?
Of course! Our clinician has experience working with LGBTQIA+ youth and can be a useful tool for you and your family to better understand what it means to be LGBTQIA+ to your child. While we cannot assist in WPATH letters for youth, we can provide psychoeducation on HRT and guidance on transition-related processes (like HRT, name change, gender change, etc.).
What experience does your clinicians specifically have working with people like myself?
Though all of our clinicians provide a safe and accepting environment for all of our clients, our gender affirming therapist has been working with LGBTQIA+ adults, youth, groups, and couples for over 2 years. He has direct experience working with substance use, navigating internalized transphobia/homophobia, family mediation with issues of gender and sexuality, writing WPATH letters, and trauma. He completed his master’s thesis on adult romantic attachment and sexual self-labeling in men who have sex with men and has over 2 years of experience working with top, LGBTQIA+ non-profits in South Florida.
If you have been looking for a LGBTQIA+ therapist that is competent and has first-hand experience working with people like you or your child, contact us to see if Nicholas is currently accepting new clients. Nicholas currently see clients exclusively on a sliding scale, case-by-case basis.
