Those in the LGBTQIA+ community experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, when compared to the larger population, and are at increased risk of self-harm and suicide.

At our core, we all want to feel heard, seen, and accepted for exactly who we are. Some in the LGBTQIA+ community, however, do not have a supportive network of people who love and care for them unconditionally.

Therapy, however, can offer a safe place to heal, explore, and celebrate all parts of ourselves.

Mental health and the LGBTQIA+ community

Every person deserves to have their identity understood and validated, but a lack of mental healthcare that is LGBTQIA+-affirming creates serious barriers to treatment.

Not only has the LGBTQIA+ community suffered discrimination within the larger society, but the field of psychology has pathologized sexual and gender differences to further harm and stigmatize this marginalized population. Historical “treatment” practices were abusive and focused on shaming and converting anyone who didn’t fit societal norms.

Even with more awareness of sexual and gender differences today, LGBTQIA+ persons may avoid disclosing their orientation or identity to healthcare providers due to a fear of misunderstanding, invalidation, disrespect, or discrimination.

Why is LGBTQIA-affirming care so important?

You deserve mental health care from a therapist that is affirming and understands the unique experiences and challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community.

In the mental health field, some therapists may not agree with or approve of the feelings, thinking, beliefs, behavior, or lifestyle of the LGBTQIA+ and see them as confused, lost, or abhorrent.

Even accepting, well-intentioned therapists may have received little to no sexual or gender diversity training in graduate school and may not be adequately prepared to work with the LGBTQIA+ population. Class discussions and case vignettes tend to focus on heterosexual and cisgender populations, leaving counselors underprepared to confidently understand and meet the needs of LGBTQIA+ clients.

Being neutral and non-judging is not enough. Mental health professionals must embrace a positive view of LGBTQIA+ individuals and address the discrimination, victimization, trauma, and violence experienced by this community. Specific expertise is needed to deconstruct the history of oppression, support healing, and develop healthy responses to daily microaggression. Learning about how to support the mental health needs of those with diverse gender and sexual identities and orientations should be a career-long, active, and humble process for helping professionals.

LGBTQIA-affirming therapists are aware of their hetero and gender normative assumptions, use correct terminology or ask when in doubt, seek continued education on diversity, and know the LGBTQIA+ resources in their community. Whether they belong to or are allies of the LGBTQIA+ community, these therapists understand their unique experiences and provide a trusting space for healing and growth to occur.

What are some unique therapeutic tasks for LGBTQIA+ clients?

Each person’s focus in counseling will be different based on the severity and diversity of their presenting issues. I working with LGBTQIA+ persons in therapy, there are some distinctive tasks, however.

• Exploration of one’s gender and sexual orientation with sensitivity and validation

• Process shame

• Challenge negative, internalized beliefs about oneself

• Learn self-love and acceptance

• Explore coming out to one’s family and community

• Process family and community rejection

• Cope with past and current bullying, prejudice, and oppression

• Support connection with the LGBTQIA+ community

How do I find an LGBTQIA-friendly and affirming therapist?

The Resilience Center of Houston has many Therapists that specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ clients. With compassion and skill, these licensed therapists use their special knowledge and training to provide quality, affirming care to support those with sexual and gender diversity. Start your healing journey today with a caring professional you can trust.

What does LGBTQIA+ mean?

This acronym stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual. The + holds space for the expanding understanding of gender and sexual orientation and identity.

The LBGT term was developed in the 1990s as a step toward inclusion at a time when a marginalized group of people was collectively called the “gay community.” Despite the intention, the acronym has proven to be limiting. As understanding and attitudes have continued to evolve, the language we use to talk about gender and sexuality has also changed. Since the 20th century, other words and letters have been added to the LGBT acronym to include other groups.

What are the definitions for the terms around sexuality and gender identity?

Below is a list of terms relevant to gender identity and sexual orientation and practice. These definitions are not universal; each person may define themselves differently. This list is not exhaustive; as our understanding and awareness in society shifts, so does the adopted lexicon.

Gay

Describes a person whose physical, romantic, or emotional attraction is toward those of the same sex.

Lesbian

A woman whose physical, romantic, or emotional attraction is toward other women.

WLW

Stands for women who like women.

MLM

Stands for men who like men.

Heterosexual

Describes a person who is physically attracted to those of a gender other than their own. Also known as “Straight.”

Bisexual

Describes a person who can develop a physical, romantic, or emotional attraction toward men or women.

Pansexual

Describes a person who is sexually or romantically attracted to people regardless of their sex or gender.

Asexual

Describes a person who experiences no sexual attraction. Also known as “Ace.”

Demisexual

Describes a person who rarely feels sexual attraction or interest in sexual activity and only toward those with whom they have an emotional bond.

Aromantic

Describes a person who experiences little to no romantic attraction or has little to no desire to form romantic relationships. Also known as “Aro.”

Polyamory

Describes a relationship orientation in which one is consensually in or open to multiple loving relationships at the same time.

BDSM

Describes a wide spectrum of sexual activities and forms of interpersonal relationships that may include bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism, and masochism.

Kink

Describes unconventional, consensual sexual practices, like playing out desires and fantasies, BDSM, leather, wax play, etc.

Queer

Describes a person who is nonconforming in their sexuality or gender.

Questioning

Describes a person who is questioning their sexual or gender identity or orientation.

Gender Dysphoria

Describes an experience of discomfort or distress due to a mismatch between a person’s sex assigned at birth and their gender identity.

Transgender

Describes a person whose gender identity does not align with the sex the person was assigned at birth.

Trans woman

Describes a person assigned male at birth who identifies as a woman.

Trans man

Describes a person assigned female at birth who identifies as a man.

Passing

When a trans individual is perceived as a cisgender man or woman.

Lived Name

Describes a name that someone uses to affirm their gender identity that differs from their legal name.

Transitioning

Taking steps to live as one’s true gender identity. Transitioning may involve outward appearance (clothing, hair), bodily interventions (medical interventions, hormones, surgery), social presentation (pronouns, Lived Name), and legal changes.

Nonbinary

Describes a person who does not identify as male or female and uses many different terms to describe themselves.

LGBTQ2

The 2 stands for two-spirit, a term used by some indigenous populations to represent gender and sexual diversity.

Androgynous

Describes a person whose gender is masculine and feminine or in between masculine and feminine.

Gender Fluid

Describes a person whose gender identity or presentation shifts.

Butch

A gender expression that describes a woman or trans person that fits societal definitions of masculinity.

Femme

A gender expression that describes a woman or trans person that fits societal definitions of femininity.

Cross Dresser

Describes a person who dresses, in some measure, as a member of a gender other than their assigned sex.

Cisgender

Describes a gender identity that society deems to match the person’s assigned sex at birth.

Intersex

Describes a person whose genitals, reproductive organs, or chromosomes fall outside the traditional concepts of male or female bodies at birth. Medical providers and parents make the decision to assign a sex (male or female) at birth that may or may not match the person’s gender identity.

AFAB

Stands for assigned female at birth and may be used by those who identify as transgender, nonbinary, or intersex.

AMAB

Stands for assigned male at birth and may be used by those who identify as transgender, nonbinary, or intersex.

The Resilience Center of Houston supports sexual and gender-affirming care. Find a Therapist that has a special interest in working with LGBTQIA+ clients today.