Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

3,955 people sought LGBTQ+ counseling help in Massachusetts in the last year

Discover how starting LGBTQ+ counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 35 therapists in Massachusetts available for an online or in-person session.

Starting LGBTQ+ counseling

What is LGBTQ+ counseling?

LGBTQ+ 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.

How does LGBTQ+ counseling work?

Thriveworks LGBTQ+ counseling in Westborough, MA 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. The therapy addresses issues like coming out, discrimination, mental health challenges, and gender transition, and provides support for LGBTQ+ relationships.

Why is LGBTQ+ counseling important?

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.

Is LGBTQ+ counseling conducted in person or online?

Thriveworks LGBTQ+ counseling in Westborough, MA is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does LGBTQ+ counseling last?

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.

Need more help deciding?

Without a doubt, many cultural and legal advances have been made for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, queer, or questioning. The United States sent two openly gay athletes to the 2018 Olympics, and Adam Rippon became the first gay man to win a medal at the winter Olympics. Recent legal victories have paved the way for marriage equality and other human rights of the LGBTQ community. While many advances have been made, without a doubt, there is room to grow. People who identify at LGBTQ still face discrimination, abuse, and marginalization just for being themselves. There is a steep price for this stigmatization, and the LGBTQ community has higher rates of depression, anxiety, and addiction than cis-gendered, straight communities.

“It takes no compromise to give people their rights…
it takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no political deal to give people freedom. It takes no survey to remove repression.” ― Harvey Milk

Emotional health requires freedom to be oneself. That means being honest about what you like and do not like. That means acknowledging your weaknesses and strengths. It also means being true to one’s sexuality and gender. For those in the LGBTQ community, there are particular challenges that others do not face. The therapists at Thriveworks Counseling in Westborough offer LGBTQ informed therapy. We understand the unique challenges that people who identify as LGBTQ face as they fight for mental health and self-acceptance.

LGBTQ Informed Counseling

Living in freedom and self-acceptance is important, but it is not easy. Other people may not be supportive. Sometimes, worst part is the internal confusion. These are difficult but normal challenges. It is important to know that the therapists at Thriveworks Westborough work hard to make a safe space for their clients. Everyone needs a place where they do not feel shame or judgment—a place where they can question, dream, remember, plan, and speak. Therapy is often that place, and in safety, often a strong sense of self and self-acceptance can grow. Those who identify as LGBTQ often need extra support in that process because they are facing particular challenges.

People in the LGBTQ community are up against an unfair and untrue stigma that is unfortunately very real. This stigma takes an emotional and psychological toll. It is the stress of living with harassment, rejection, and discrimination that others do not have to face. This toll translates into real-world impact. For example, those within the LGBTQ community …

  • Experience substance abuse at a rate of 30 percent while straight and cis-gendered populations experience substance abuse at a rate of 9 percent.
  • Report living with “minority stress.” They often experience a heightened anxiety because they face more abuse, prejudice, harassment, denial of their human rights, social exclusion, and family rejection.
  • Who are age 10-24 experience more bullying, fear, hatred, and prejudice in their homes and school as compared to their peers.
  • Are diagnosed with mental disorders like generalized anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder three times more than other populations.
  • Suicide is a leading cause of death for LGBTQ youth.

These sobering statistics are only part of the story. When members of the LGBTQ community reach out for mental health care, they also must navigate a “dual stigma.” That is, the mental health field has not always been inclusive of people who identify as LGBTQ. Before 1973, the American Psychological Association categorized homosexuality as a disorder. While it is true that they changed their position, it is also true that attitudes have lagged behind the change. Not all therapists are inclusive or informed about the unique mental health needs of those in the LGBTQ community.

Social and cultural context matters to people’s mental health and given this history, many people who identify as LGBTQ are skeptical of mental health professionals. Many within the mental health community are working with members of the LGBTQ community to earn back trust both between the two communities and between individual therapists and individual clients. More and more, people who identify as LGBTQ are receiving the mental health care they deserve.

What does it mean for counselors to give their clients LGBTQ informed care? The professionals at Thriveworks believe that the key is building trust with their clients. Everyone needs a place where they can speak their reality, process their experiences, and be heard without fear or judgment or shame. Our therapists work hard to understand the pain that abuse, discrimination, and harassment have caused. That pain needs to be honored. As the pain heals, new dreams will arise. Those dreams also need to be honored. That is the positive aspect of therapy—building a life each client wants to live.

Each client sets the pace of counseling, but often, clients who identify as LGBTQ want to talk about:

  • Dealing with discrimination and non-acceptance
  • Addiction
  • “Coming out” issues
  • Anxiety and stress
  • Family concerns
  • Dating and other relationships
  • Eating disorders
  • Gender and sexual identity
  • Healthy communication
  • Past trauma and abuse
  • Transcending gender roles
  • Depression
  • Self-esteem issues
  • Safety concerns

Appointments at Thriveworks in Westborough for LGBTQ Informed Counseling

If you are ready to meet with a therapist who will respect who you are, then the professionals at Thriveworks Counseling in Westborough are ready to meet with you. When you contact our office, you may have your first appointment within 24 hours. We offer evening and weekend sessions. We also accept many different insurance plans. Call today.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Westborough therapists and counselors accept 24 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Compsych

  • Fallon Health

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

Show more
Self-pay costs at Westborough
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.8 Thriveworks Westborough reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Hello all, I just want to tell everyone at thriveworks in Westboro mass office and future customers that I have had the pleasure of a 5 star counselor in donna hayes. Donna helped me when I was at the lowest point in my life. A law enforcement life, with lots of issues. She has helped me immensely. God bless you donna. Hopefully I will see you in fall when I return home. Thanks for your help and sorry for quitting exit today on my last appointment. Best regards always. Brian
Read more Hello all, I just want to tell everyone at thriveworks in Westboro mass office and future customers that I have had the pleasure of a 5 star counselor in donna hayes. Donna helped me when I was at the lowest point in my life. A law enforcement life, with lots of issues. She has helped me immensely. God bless you donna. Hopefully I will see you in fall when I return home. Thanks for your help and sorry for quitting exit today on my last appointment. Best regards always. Brian
Westborough Apr 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I’ve had a wonderful experience. The staff is punctual and kind.
Westborough Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Thriveworks has been wonderful so far. My therapist is very supportive and communicative. The appointment reminders are very helpful, too.
Read more Thriveworks has been wonderful so far. My therapist is very supportive and communicative. The appointment reminders are very helpful, too.
Westborough Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I love my therapist and feel better about my life knowing that I have guidance and direction in my life
Read more I love my therapist and feel better about my life knowing that I have guidance and direction in my life
Westborough Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
My therapist is thoughtful, compassionate, incisive in a good way, understands complex trauma, and is full of good humor.
Read more My therapist is thoughtful, compassionate, incisive in a good way, understands complex trauma, and is full of good humor.
Westborough Aug 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
For a first visit, this place set a very good example for what is ahead. Attentive, note-taking, observant I am pleased with the initial visit.
Read more For a first visit, this place set a very good example for what is ahead. Attentive, note-taking, observant I am pleased with the initial visit.
Westborough Jun 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Just met Greg today so far everything went well.
Westborough Apr 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Good chat with Stephanie
Westborough Apr 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Westborough is located at 5 E Main St Suite 3, Westborough, MA 01581, in the same building as Berkshire Bank.

Phone number

(774) 252-7733

Languages spoken by MA providers

  • English
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

13 photos