LGBTQIA+ counseling is a type of queer affirmative counseling dedicated to assisting individuals and couples in navigating the intricate intersections of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and mental health, with a primary goal of fostering well-being, self-acceptance, and affirming a client’s life experiences as a queer individual. Although not all LGBTQ+ individuals seek specialized counseling, a substantial number discover vital support and empathy within these inclusive and affirming therapeutic settings.
Thriveworks LGBTQ+ counseling in Richmond, VA typically begins with an initial assessment to understand your specific needs. LGBTQ+ counselors aim to create a safe, inclusive, and affirming environment for anyone within the LGBTQ+ community by encouraging self-acceptance and offering an understanding of your identity and experiences. LGBTQ+ therapy addresses issues like coming out, discrimination, mental health challenges, and gender transition, and provides support for LGBTQ+ relationships.
LGBTQ+ counseling is incredibly important because it can help queer individuals accept their identity, learn self-love, and give them important tools for facing the challenges of being a queer person in today’s society, among many other benefits. LGBTQ+-affirming therapists can understand the unique perspective and experiences of queer individuals as they help them process past trauma, address family conflicts, treat issues with anxiety, and more.
The number of sessions for LGBTQ+ counseling depends on the specific needs and goals of the individual. It could encompass a relatively limited series of sessions or extend into a longer counseling plan. The precise quantity and duration of sessions typically emerge through collaborative discussion with the counselor, taking into account the client’s progress and their therapeutic objectives.
LGBTQ Affirmative Counseling in Richmond, VA—Therapists
Respect. Freedom. These are bedrocks of mental health. When these are compromised, mental health will suffer. People deserve for respect. They were born to be free. That means they deserve the space to express their weaknesses and strengths, dislikes and likes, gender and sexuality.
Those in the LGBTQ community encounter more obstructions in their path toward this freedom and respect. The counselors and therapists at Thriveworks Richmond understand those roadblocks—the unique difficulties that the LGBTQ community have to handle. We are committed to offering holistic and affirmative mental health care to our LGBTQ clients. Reach out today for help.
Why Is LGBTQ Affirmative Counseling Important?
People within the LGBTQ community often have a more difficult path toward freedom and respect than others, and they often need particular guidance and support for the journey. What are some of the things that make their journey more difficult? Here is a small glance of the toll that discrimination, rejection, and harassment can take:
- While the substance abuse rate for cis-gendered and straight populations is 9 percent, within the LGBTQ community, it is 30 percent.
- Many who identify as LGBTQ report a heightened anxiety called “minority stress” that results from experiencing higher rates of family rejection, social exclusion, and violations of human right. Those stress can causes significant physical and mental health difficulties.
- Youth who are between the ages of 10-24 and who identity as LGBTQ live with higher rates of bullying, fear, prejudice, and hatred both within their homes and at school.
- Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for LGBTQ youth.
- Disorder like major depressive disorder, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder occur three times more frequently within the LGBTQ community than they occur in cis-gender and straight populations.
That is why Thriveworks Richmond offers affirmative counseling to those within the LGBTQ community. We believe everyone deserves care. We believe people should be empowered to be who they are.
Common LGBTQ Affirmative Counseling Topics
As our clients and therapists build trust, they often tackle topics such as…
- Dealing with discrimination and non-acceptance
- “Coming out” issues
- Addiction
- Anxiety and stress
- Dating and other relationships
- Family concerns
- Eating disorders
- Gender and sexual identity
- Transcending gender roles
- Healthy communication
- Self-esteem issues
- Safety concerns
- Depression
- Past trauma and abuse
Scheduling an Appointment at Thriveworks Richmond for LGBTQ Inclusive Counseling
When you think about what is happening in your life right now, what would it be like to have help? What would it be like to have an ally? What would it be like to have healing and acceptance and respect? The therapists at Thriveworks Richmond are ready to walk with you on your journey if you are ready too. When you contact our office, know that a real person will answer your call. We do not have voicemail, but our scheduling specialists help our clients find an appointment that work for their schedule.
New clients often have their first appointment within the week. Weekend and evening sessions are offered, and our therapists are credentialed with many insurance panels which means we can accept many different forms of insurance.
Your mental health matters. You are not alone. Let’s work together. Call Thriveworks Richmond today for LGBTQ inclusive therapy and counseling.
LGBTQIA+, Anger, Coping Skills, Men’s Issues, Stress, +5 more 
