Could You Benefit from Therapy for LGBTQ+ Issues?

It’s perhaps an understatement to say that members of the LGBTQ+ community have a troubled history with therapy. Fortunately, the way that therapists understand and approach therapy for members of the LGBTQ+ community has progressed significantly since the early days of conversion therapy and other upsetting practices. Whether you have questions or issues specifically related to your gender identity or sexual orientation or you need to work through any issue with a therapist who won’t judge you, we hope that you know that’s possible today. In this blog, we’ll talk about the importance of working with an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist and the many benefits of therapy for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Signs that Therapy Could Be Beneficial

There are many reasons that LGBTQ+ folk should consider therapy. Not the least are mood disorders like anxiety and depression that impact the LGBTQ+ community significantly more than those who are not identified within this group. When it comes to therapy, a good rule of thumb is that if you struggle with daily activities because of your thoughts or feelings, it’s time to talk with a professional. Some of the warning signs you may notice when it’s time to work with a therapist include:

• Pervasive thoughts – negative thinking that interrupts your regular thought processes, especially if it becomes chronic or significantly limits your ability to concentrate on your daily tasks.
• Overwhelming emotions – as therapists, we don’t believe in “good” or “bad” feelings, but feelings that are constant, overwhelming, and limit your ability to engage in your daily life, may need to be better managed. Skills for better managing emotions can be learned during therapy session.
• Self-Harm – if you’re engaging in self-harming behaviors, you are at increased risk for suicide as well as being in danger of injury and even death from the act of self-harming. Anyone who engages in self-harm should work with a therapist to develop safer, healthier coping mechanism.
• Suicidal ideation – considering suicide, focusing on thoughts of death, or attempting suicide are all warning signs that indicate a need for therapy as soon as possible. You may even want to consider going to the emergency room.

Emotional & Mental Health Risk Factors for the LGBTQ+ Community 

In addition to the same struggles we all face as humans, members of the LGBTQ+ community have additional issues to deal with on a daily basis. Some of these risk factors that increase need for therapy in the LGBTQ+ community include:

• Discrimination – this can be direct and indirect forms of discrimination against the individual or the greater LGBTQ+ community.
• Marginalization – being made to feel “other” or marginalized can make LGBTQ+ folk feel like they don’t have a community, leading to feelings of isolation.
• Oppression – societal systems of oppression against the LGBTQ+ community can negatively impact the lives of people in the LGBTQ+ community, making it more difficult for them to benefit from things like leave for a new child, marriage rights, and other systems heterosexual couples feel entitled to and have easy access to obtain.
• Rejection – family members and loved ones may reject you just for being who you are and engaging in self-expression that is the right every person.
• Bullying – peers (at all ages) and family members may make fun of, manipulate, harass, or injure LGBTQ+ folk on the basis of their identity.
• Stress – each year, a group of practitioners conducts the Stress in America survey, and members of the LGBTQ+ community consistently report higher levels of anxiety compared with others within the same demographic groupings. 

Schedule a Therapy Session

If you’re interested in learning more about LGBTQ+ affirming therapy in the Lansing area, we hope you’ll reach out to us at Lansing Counseling. You can get started today by calling (517) 333-1499, emailing [email protected], or filling out our simple, online inquiry form.