LGBTQ+ Therapy
LQBTQ+ Therapy
There are times when life as a member of a sexual minority group feels challenging and isolating. It is most often that these difficulties of discomfort, distress, or fear are connected to the responses of the majority culture toward the LGBTQ+ individual. There are also times when LGBTQ+ individuals struggle in defining or accepting themselves and their own experience. Therapy for LGBTQ+ individuals can address these issues and allow each individual to feel more connected to themselves and more comfortable in their interactions with their families, friends, and the community at large.
Focus of LGBTQ+ Therapy
The focus of therapy for LGBTQ+ individuals will be determined by the concerns and issues you have encountered in your life. The experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals often add an extra layer that is important to pay attention to in addition to other mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationship issues or work issues. Working with a therapist who is experienced in providing LGBTQ+ therapy tailored to the specific concerns that LGBTQ+ individuals can face leads to significant and lasting changes. You and your therapist will create a treatment plan based on your needs and concerns.
Why Work With The LGBTQ+ Friendly Therapists at Best Within You
Best Within You Therapy & Wellness has several therapists who are highly experienced in working with members of the LGBTQ+ community and providing LGBTQ+ therapy. This includes therapists at our practice who identify as members of this community themselves. We want you to feel free to be your true self alongside someone who gets it. Our therapists understand the Atlanta community as well as growing up in the south as a LGBTQ+ individual. We know there may be stark differences in your experiences based on where you live, your community, and your family. For our Georgia clients we are aware of how different pockets of the city feel vastly different from others. Savannah’s culture is different than Buckhead and different than Midtown Atlanta.
While our therapy office is based in Atlanta, we see LGBTQ+ identifying clients throughout Georgia as well as throughout the US. We will always work to understand your culture and your community, so we can better help you.
Potential Strategies to Improve Functioning In Therapy
Therapy will be focused on what you are wanting, needing, and your goals. We will develop a plan to meet these goals. Some potential topics include:
-Exploring ways to develop connections with others who have similar life experiences
-Recognizing and accepting the reactions you have which cause discomfort or distress
-Practicing skills for managing uncomfortable emotions, such as relaxation and grounding techniques
-Remembering to honor your internal responses; they will assist you in understanding your needs
-Better understanding of yourself and your symptoms and developing tools to cope with anxiety, depression, sleep, relationships, body image, your health, self esteem, grief, or trauma.
Reach out to schedule an appointment or complimentary consultation. While all our clinicians work with many clients in the LGBTQ+ community and allies, if you would like to work with a person that identifies as a LGBTQ+ therapist please just note this on the appointment form.
LGBTQ+ Therapy FAQ
Q: Can therapy help me with issues related to my sexual orientation or gender identity?
A: Members of LGBTQ+ community often hear critical remarks and comments which they internalize. This makes it difficult to come to terms with their own sexual orientation and gender identity. Therapy can assist in recognition and acceptance of one’s own experience. You will be supported in determining who you are and how you want to present yourself to others.
Q: How can therapy support me in coming out to family or friends?
A: Most members of LGBTQ+ community develop an internal awareness of their sexual orientation and gender identity at various points in time in their lives. There is no specific timetable for this awareness. When members of the community incorporate this awareness for themselves, they may feel confused or anxious about their own acceptance as well as the acceptance of other important people in their lives. Therapy can explore options regarding how, when, and if to share this information with others. It is important to explore strategies to deal with a variety of responses from others. Therapy is useful in choosing when one is ready to address these issues.
Q: What should I look for in a therapist who is experienced with LGBTQ+ issues?
A: In looking for LGBTQ+ therapist online or in Atlanta, you want to work with someone who is open and affirming of you and your process. Your therapist should demonstrate a willingness to encourage you to understand yourself without judgment or bias. Ideally, you and your therapist will view this as a collaborative process, both being open and curious as the process unfolds. Your therapist is your ally who appreciates that you are the ultimate authority about your needs and direction. At Best Within You Therapy & Wellness we want to assure you that you will be working with a LGBTQ+ friendly therapist.
Q: Can therapy help me with issues related to gender expression?
A: Therapy can help you make decisions about ways to explore your gender expression. For example, you may be encouraged to consider making small changes in the way that you present yourself to the world. This may be making simple changes in manner of dress, hairstyle, or mannerisms. Sometimes it is helpful to experiment with multiple possibilities.
Q: How can LGBTQ+ therapy help me cope with discrimination or homophobia?
A: When faced with threatening and negative reactions from others, we often respond with fear and avoidance. Frequently, we develop negative thoughts and beliefs that limit our functioning in our lives. This often creates an experience of anxiety and a feeling of being unable to make decisions or to protect ourselves effectively. Therapy can help us learn skills to manage and redirect anxiety. The focus will be on the development of strategies to recognize anxiety and to develop a plan of action.
If you are looking for a LGBTQ+ friendly therapist, know that you are in the right place. You can schedule an appointment or complimentary consultation.
The psychologists at the practice provide therapy in Atlanta as well as online to clients throughout the United States.