Finding LGBTQ+ Affirming Mental Health Care (Day 24 of Living Beyond a Label!)
Accessing mental health care can be a challenge, finding a therapist who is a good fit for you, experienced with your issues, and is affordable can be difficult enough. But, as an LGBTQ+ person it can also be very important to ensure you find an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist even if your concerns are not related to your identity simply to avoid discrimination and/or potentially harmful treatment.
In order to navigate these challenges it can be helpful to first establish what you are hoping to achieve through therapy. While defining your goals you may also want to consider a list of anything you do or do not want in a therapist. This may include their therapeutic style, professional experience, gender identity, or even if they are a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
If you aren’t sure what to expect from an affirming therapist and you’d like to establish a baseline, you might find it worthwhile to read over the American Psychological Association's guidelines for psychological practice with sexual minority persons. Which can be found here. It can really give a clear sense of what affirming means.
Once you have your goals and expectations established, the search begins. First and foremost you may want to seek referrals from people you trust. That could include friends, family, coworkers, health care professionals, others in the LGBTQ+ community, or even LGBTQ+ organizations.
After you find potential therapists you may want to do a bit of research, check their credentials, read online profiles, maybe see if you can find anything they’ve published to give you a sense of their approach to treatment and help you make an informed decision. You can even check for things like a statement reaffirming their commitment to inclusion in their practice.
During your first appointment with a new therapist, you may want to ask them questions to help you confirm they are truly LGBTQ+ affirming, the HRC even has a prepared list of such questions here.
Now you might be wondering why it’s so important to find an affirming therapist, but research has shown that success in therapy is largely reliant on the therapeutic alliance between a patient and their therapist. This means you need to feel safe, accepted and like you are working together with your therapist. Things like microaggressions or discrimination can break down that trust and disrupt any such alliance. Furthermore when you consider things like conversion therapy still happen today, the importance of affirming care becomes all too apparent.
We all know that being LGBTQ+ is not a mental health issue, but discrimination and prejudice can often lead to mental health issues, and LGBTQ+ people deserve mental health care that helps rather than perpetuates the problem.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/therapy-for-lgbt#goals
https://www.apa.org/about/policy/psychological-sexual-minority-persons.pdf
https://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/BIPOC_Inclusive_Therapist_Questions_073020.pdf?_ga=2.117698831.765552520.1596142780-1787279304.1532711558
What would you say is the most difficult aspect of seeking mental health care as an LGBTQ+ person?
@EmotionsListener
I think this is all fantastic advice.
But for me, the most important thing was to just go for it.
Not to worry too much if it was the right person or right place or right time.
But to just go and see what I could get from therapy. After all, you can learn something from anyone.
I understand that some people need more certainty and reassurance of what they are getting into. And for them, this advice is excellently comprehensive.
But for those daunted by the idea of doing lots of prep for therapy, you can just go. Take what you need and leave the rest.
I wish everyone good therapy experiences.
@EmotionsListener
One of the toughest things about trying to get mental health care as an LGBTQ+ person is the fear of ending up with a therapist who doesn’t get you, or worse, someone who isn’t affirming at all. Sometimes it’s the small things, like subtle comments or assumptions, that make you feel invisible or misunderstood. Other times, it can be much more serious, like running into someone who still believes in harmful practices like conversion therapy. It’s already hard enough to open up and ask for help, but when there’s a chance you won’t be accepted or supported, that vulnerability feels even heavier. In many places, especially smaller towns or under-resourced areas, it can be really hard to find someone who truly understands LGBTQ+ experiences. A lot of people carry past hurt from the healthcare system, and that history can make it feel risky just to try again. And even if you do find a therapist who’s a great fit, affordability or distance can be a huge barrier. On top of that, having to explain your identity or educate your therapist when all you want is to feel seen and supported can be exhausting. Especially when you're already carrying a lot.