While many in the LGBTQ community are enjoying recent advances for their legal equality and cultural acceptance, many who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning understand that there is still much work to be done. Both the good and the bad are true. Human rights victories for marriage equality and the growing number of cultural voices using their platform to promote inclusion are some of the highlights. The lowlights are that marginalization and discrimination are often regular occurrences for those within the LGBTQ community. These forms of inequality exact a severe toll. The LGBTQ community as a whole suffers higher rates of anxiety, addiction, and depression than other populations.
Living one’s truth is a foundational principle of mental health. People need to experience freedom to be themselves—their whole selves. This starts with self-acceptance. Thriveworks Marietta acknowledges that mental health professionals have not always provided a place where those in the LGBTQ community can experience self-acceptance. The American Psychological Association only stopped labeling homosexuality as a pathology in 1973, and that history of stigmatization has overshadowed mental health care. The LGBTQ community has often not received the mental health care it deserves, and thus, often faces a “dual stigma:” increased rates of mental disorders with more difficulty finding sensitive mental health care.
The counselors, life coaches, and therapists who work at Thriveworks Marietta understand the power of living in one’s trust and the power of self-acceptance. We are committed to providing holistic care to our clients and in particular, to support our clients who are members of the LGBTQ community with the informed and sensitive care that they deserve.
What Is LGBTQ Inclusive Therapy?
The whole of people’s lives matters. People’s physicality, spirituality, emotions, and sexuality all contribute to who they are. No one should have to separate out their sexuality from their social life or their psychology or their intellect or their biology. Yet, this is often what those who identify as LGBTQ are asked to do. They face unique and difficult challenges, and therapists need to offer personalized care while also being aware of these particular difficulties. An individual’s sexuality plays an important role in the formation of identity.
Good therapy offers individualized care. Each person’s experiences are unique and unlike any others. Your experiences are one-of-a-kind. No one else faces the challenges that you face. No one else has the opportunities you have. No one else has lived the experiences that you have lived. When the therapists at Thriveworks Marietta offer inclusive and affirmative counseling, it also means that they are inclusive and affirmative of your unique story. Our professionals work hard to earn each client’s trust, as trust is the basis of any therapeutic relationship. As the relationship between each counselor and each client progresses, clients often feel comfortable going deeper and often experience more healing. To go deeper, therapists may raise questions such as…
- How did you decide to start therapy?
- What are some of the exciting things happening in your life?
- How is your living situation? Is it safe?
- Is there were one thing you could change about your life, what would it be?
- What do you want to be doing in a year? Five years? Ten? More?
The cliché of therapy is of an individual lying on a sofa, speaking about doom and gloom. Certainly, a significant amount of therapy focuses upon difficulties, but good therapy also focuses people’s attention upon their dreams. Skilled counselors help their clients reach important professional and personal goals. Skilled counselors focus upon health and healing—whatever that may look like within an individual’s life. For some, it may look like pursuing a romantic relationship and meeting that significant other. For others, it may look like coming out to family and friends with a plan for safety. In many ways, individual clients set the agenda for therapy.
When the counseling room is a judgment-free place, people often feel safe enough to explore without feeling ashamed or without fear. Clients often feel comfortable speaking freely of their past trauma as well as their future hopes. Topics that are commonly addressed in LGBTQ therapy include:
- Coming out issues
- Family concerns
- Dealing with discrimination and non-acceptance
- Past trauma and abuse
- Healthy communication
- Depression
- Self-esteem issues
- Transcending gender roles
- Gender and sexual identity
- Eating disorders
- Dating and other relationships
- Addiction Anxiety and stress
Setting Up an Appointment for LGBTQ Sensitive Therapy at Thriveworks Marietta
What is happening in your life right now? What are the challenges? Maybe you are experiencing marginalization or discrimination. If so, the staff at Thriveworks Marietta wants you to know that we are deeply sad you are experiencing this stigmatization, and you are worthy of belonging and respect. Maybe you are focused upon your future and are ready for your next achievement. If so, the staff at Thriveworks Marietta wants you to know that you are worthy of reaching your dreams. Whatever your journey is, we are honored to be a part of it.
When you contact Thriveworks Marietta, know that you may be meeting with your therapist the following day. We accept many forms of insurance, and we offer evening and weekend sessions. However, we do not keep a waitlist so you will never be put on one. Our desire is that our clients receive the care they need when they need it. Call Thriveworks Marietta today.
