Lgbtq clients in therapy
Written by Joe Kort
Reviewed by Kevin Jeffrey Goldwater
I don’t think it’s ever been easier to be a gay person. This perspective comes from a queer-identifying, twenty-one-year-old, living in Modern York City who also grew up in Chicago. Despite the news of the decimations of gender non-conforming men around the earth (Chechnya, for example) and strings of phobia and hate- filled rhetoric that stream from our Commander-in-Chief’s Twitter, queer youth, now more than ever, are finding opportunity to not only explore and ask sexuality but to consider and reckon with it. While it is still remarkably difficult to navigate today’s world as a queer person, apps appreciate Grindr and Scruff link gay men to peers just down the block and across the state. Homosexual marriage has been legalized in the Together States and non-monogamous partnerships are on the go up. I lived the first few years of my life in fear, ashamed of expressing the gay person that I am, but this cultural switch and increased discussion of non-heteronormative experience has allowed me to explore, interrogate, discuss and reckon with my sexuality to the point where I own shed any associated taboos and a
Supporting LGBTQ+ clients in therapy is unlike supporting any other type of client. There’s a lot of information that can be missed in therapy if you’re not familiar with LGBTQ identity. And that goes for therapists who are part of the LGBTQ group, too. It’s not a given that being an ally or being part of the LGBTQ community translates into effective therapy.
That’s why we asked five therapists who specialize in helping the LGBTQ+ community for their tips, tricks, and best practices. Their responses can help therapists enjoy you create an inclusive and affirming space, help clients overcome their struggles and embrace their identities, and linger up to appointment with best practices.
Common Therapeutic Goals for LGBTQ+ Clients
We asked our five experts about what they're seeing in their day-to-day therapy practie. What are the common presenting concerns of LGBTQ+ clents?
Symptom Reduction
One of the primary goals in therapy for Gay clients is symptom reduction. This includes addressing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use.
Dr. Michael Grey, PsyD, emphasizes the importance of symptom reduction, including the symptoms of depression, anx
Supporting LGBTQ+ Clients: A Reference for Therapists
As therapists, it's essential to recognize and address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals to provide effective and compassionate care. Members of the lesbian, gay, bi, transgender, queer, and other non-heteronormative orientations and gender identities encounter distinct stressors that can significantly impact their mental health. By understanding these challenges and implementing targeted strategies, therapists can better support their LGBTQ+ clients.
Unique Challenges Facing LGBTQ+ Clients
1. Discrimination and Stigma:
LGBTQ+ individuals frequently experience discrimination, stigma, and prejudice in various areas of life, including the workplace, educational institutions, and even within their families. This discrimination can manifest as overt harassment or subtle forms of exclusion and bias, leading to feelings of isolation and rejection.
2. Identity Acceptance:
Coming to terms with one's sexual orientation or gender identity can be a complex and emotionally taxing process. Internalized homophobia, transphobia, and societal pressure can create significant psychological distress. The fe
Five Things Therapists Can Do When Productive with LGBTQ+ Individuals
What is meant by affectional and gender minorities?
Affectional and gender minority clients is a broad umbrella category for individuals who self-identify as LGBTQ+. We can think of this in two broad subcategories: gender self and sexual orientation.
Gender identity
Gender identity refers to how someone feels or identifies their gender. It is sometimes congruent with one’s sex assigned at birth. For example, an individual who is assigned female sex at birth and identifies as a woman, would be regarded as cisgender. Someone who is assigned a sex at birth that does not pair their gender persona, may identify as trans, non-binary, or more generally “queer” (please note, while queer was previously used as a derogatory term against the LGBTQ+ group, there has been recent movement towards reclaiming this term).
Gender identity may be expressed in a variety of ways – through clothing, accessories, makeup, hairstyle, etc. It may or may not align with someone’s identity. That is, someone who identifies as a chick, but has a male sex assigned at birth, may not feel pleasant or safe enough to express their
LGBTQ Clients in Therapy: Clinical Issues and Treatment Strategies
Norint atliepti LGBT klientų poreikius, būtinos specifinės žinios apie, pvz., homoseksualaus vaiko raidą, atsiskleidimo iššūkius, vienalytės poros santykių dinamiką. Kartais gay-friendly kolegos sako, jog "visi mes - žmonės su bendražmogiškais išgyvenimais", bet bijau, kad kartais terapijoje toks požiūris gali būti kontraproduktyvus. Negalime nepaisyti unikalių LGBT žmonių patirčių ir iššūkių, o dirbant su seksualumo temomis kontraperkėlimas gali būti labai galingas ir vos pastebimas. Tuo pat metu. Tokios knygos - gera priemonė praplėsti žinias ir patyrinėti savo vidines nuostatas.
Autorius aptaria daug temų: kultūrinį spaudimą, su kuriuo nuo gimimo susiduria LGBT vaikai, atsiskleidimo etapus, sunkumus, kuriuos patiria LGBT asmenų artimieji, santuoką su hetero partneriais, darbą su paaugliais ir poromis, seksualumo fluidiš