Tag Archives: featured

Counseling, LGBTQ

LGBTQ

What is LGBTQ Therapy?

Many lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (or questioning) individuals seek counseling for reasons similar to non-LGBTQ individuals (i.e. depression, anxiety, grief, couples, therapy, work stress, etc.). And while some issues have little to do with sexuality, gender, or identity, the LGBTQ community does have their own set of unique challenges as well.

LGBTQ Mental Health Issues and Coping with Stigma

Research suggests that LGBTQ individuals seek mental health treatment at a higher rate than their non-LGBTQ counterparts.  This may be due to the stigma and discrimination LGBTQ individuals often face on a regular basis, from society, family members, peers, co-workers, and even classmates. This discrimination contributes to the higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health struggles seen amongst LGBTQ. Those in the LGBTQ community are also much more likely to have a substance abuse problem, engage in self-harm behaviors, and/or experience suicidal thoughts. Thus, it is not surprising this population seeks mental health services at higher rates. In addition to the effects of stigma and discrimination, the LGBTQ population also often obtains mental health support for:

  • Gender dysphoria – according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.), gender dysphoria is a psychological condition experienced by individuals whose gender identity and expression does not match with the gender assigned at birth.  Gender dysphoria can cause significant distress and affect a person’s overall mental wellbeing.
  • Sexual identity issues – sexual identity issues can refer to numerous concerns.  Sexual identity (or sexual orientation) refers to the emotions, thoughts, feelings, and fantasies that contribute to a person’s sexual or romantic attraction to another person.  LGBTQ individuals often go through periods of questioning their sexual identity, which can cause confusion and stress. Also pertinent to the LGBTQ community and sexual identity issues is the “coming out” process, and coping with the reactions of friends and family.

Over the past several years, the general public seems to have become more aware of the issues faced by the LGBTQ community. With this heightened awareness, mental health services have become more tailored to this population’s specific needs. One way this is being carried out is through LGBTQ affirmative therapy. This approach to psychotherapy is focused on the empowerment of LGBTQ individuals in all areas of life and relationships. Therapists working from an affirmative approach seek to honor the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals and help them navigate the challenges in an effective way.

Historically, many in the LGBTQ community who sought mental health services found counselors and therapists were uneducated about issues around sexuality, gender, and identity.  Unfortunately, this often resulted in LGBTQ clients ending their treatment prematurely or never actually seeking the treatment and support needed. And, in some cases, the client would end up being the one to educate the therapist on the struggles unique to the LGBTQ population. Thankfully, with the emergence of affirmative therapy (as it is referred to in the mental health community), this gap has started to close, and there has been a significant increase in the effectiveness of mental health treatment for the LGBTQ population.

Discrimination and stigma, in any form, can seriously impact the well-being of those who experience it. In order to begin to combat some of this (or cope with the stigma if it is directed at you), here are things you can do:

  • Learn more about the LGBTQ community and their struggles. Education is a way to increase understanding and raise awareness about the unique issues this population often faces (socially, economically, financially, etc.)
  • Educate yourself on human rights laws and how they pertain to the LGBTQ population.
  • Surround yourself with healthy people, such as supportive and encouraging family members, friends, and peers.  Whether or not they are dealing with the same issues as you (or someone you know), it is important to have people with whom you feel safe to express yourself and be open with.
  • Speak up if you witness (or are the victim of) discrimination.  Although it can be scary to share these kinds of experiences, it is one of the best ways to advocate for yourself, the LGBTQ community, and fight back at the discrimination.
  • Seek professional help. If you are facing a mental illness as a result of the stress from stigma and/or discrimination, getting support from a professional can help you learn ways to better cope, feel less isolated, and establish overall mental health and wellbeing.
  • Share your experiences with others. Whether you are part of the LGBTQ community yourself or have friends or family who identify as LGBTQ, share what you can with others.  The more the stigma surrounding this population is talked about, the more awareness it can gain.
  • Join a political or advocacy group to combat unjust policies and/or unfair treatment of the LGBTQ community.
  • Join an online support community to connect with others that can relate: LGBTribe. 

Given the stressors that LGBTQ groups must confront, such as homophobia, societal discrimination and prejudice, coming out, and negotiating family relationships, finding a therapist that is openly LGBTQ or specializes in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender issues can offer some support and healing. Search TherapyTribe to find a therapist who is openly LGBTQ, LGBTQ-friendly, or specializes in LGBTQ issues.

References

  • Ulrike, B. (2002). Twenty years of public health research: Inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations. American Journal of Public Health 92(7), 1125-1130.
  • Mustanski, B., Garofalo, R., & Emerson, E. (2010). Mental health disorders, psychological distress, and suicidality in a diverse sample of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youths. American Journal of Public Health, 100(12): 2426–2432.
  • Wolford-Clevenger, C., Cannon, C. J., Flores, L. Y., Smith, P. N., & Stuart, G. L. (2017). Suicide Risk Among Transgender People: A Prevalent Problem in Critical Need of Empirical and Theoretical Research. Violence and gender, 4(3), 69-72.
Anxiety, Fear, Nervousness

Covid-19

Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Employees

Healthcare workers are in a precarious position on the frontlines of the struggle against COVID-19. In China, Italy, and Spain, thousands of healthcare workers have been infected with the coronavirus. More than 150 healthcare workers in four Boston hospitals were reported to have been infected.

Frontline healthcare workers are likely to experience fear, anxiety, anger, grief, depression, and feelings of helplessness and powerlessness. Many professionals are choosing to isolate themselves from family members to avoid potential transmission of the virus, thus eliminating important sources of social support. Frontline caregivers may also experience compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and secondary stress, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to tax the American healthcare system and exact its toll on the mental health of physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other direct care professionals.

Addiction, Counseling

Substance Use

Substance abuse counselors are not able to prescribe medicine or give medical or psychological therapy. Rather they work with the client in an advocacy and mentoring capacity. The substance abuse counselor becomes a key figure in the life of the addict. From helping the client to see clearly the emotional underpinnings of their dependency to helping with more mundane tasks such as helping the client find or maintain employment, the substance abuse counselor works with the client to help them become self-sufficient in life.

Some of the duties of a substance abuse counselor might include:

  • Working with the client to gain or maintain employment
  • Helping the client understand the nature of their addiction
  • Helping the client to have the support networks they need to break free of addiction
  • Helping the client create concrete plans to improve their life
  • Working with the clients family to help them heal from the trauma inflicted by addiction
Counseling, Divorce

Couples Counseling

Significant Other Work

Do you feel like your relationship is at a standstill? Are you and your partner stuck in the same argument loop every night? Do you feel like the you and your partner are drifting away? Do you desire more intimacy between you and your partner?

All things can be improved, changed and bettered, with just a little support, no matter how big or small. With couples therapy, you’ll learn how to communicate your feelings and needs, and get what you want out of your relationship.

Some issues that bring couples to therapy are:

  • Addiction/Partner Addiction Support
  • Balance (Work/Life/Family)
  • Blended Families
  • Chronic Illness
  • Divorce
  • Extended Family
  • Infidelity/Cheating
  • Intimacy
  • Mental Illness
  • Pre-Marital/Readiness
  • Pornography
  • Sex

In our couple’s therapy sessions, we help people develop the necessary skills needed to maintain sustaining love.

If any of the above relate to your and your partner in your relationship, contact us today for a free consultation. We would love to speak about how we may be able to help reconnect and rekindle your love for one another.

Counseling

Therapy for Depression

Are you feeling hopeless, isolated, and not your usual self?

Do these thoughts often enter your mind?

  • I am worthless and can’t do anything about it.
  • I feel guilty for just wanting to eat, sleep, and be alone.
  • I hate who I am these days.
  • I can’t stop crying, which makes me want to stay away from others.
  • I feel gut-wrenching pain, but no one understands.
  • My life and the world around me are dark. I hate it, but I can’t change it.

If you have had any variation of these thoughts and don’t feel like your usual self, chances are you may be suffering from depression.

I want you to know that you are not alone and there are people who can help. Many of my clients find relief in realizing that their struggle does not own them and that there are many options available for them to once again have hope for their lives.

I understand the social stigmas that come with the label of being depressed, and thus aim to help clients sort out their environmental, biological, and circumstantial factors while offering support and care through a very dark time in their lives.

If you are hoping to finally lighten this load and feel like yourself again, contact me today for a free consultation.

Conflict

Parent-child conflict

Conflict between parents and children is normal. It is part of family life. But conflict that goes on for a long time and gets worse over time can cause stress and can hurt relationships. It is important to communicate with each other and bring conflict to a peaceful solution. You can do this through compromise or by agreeing to disagree.

In some cases, you may have to change your behavior to settle a conflict with your child. Some of your child’s behavior may be a reaction to your behavior. So, if you want your child to behave in a certain way, the best approach may be to change your behavior so that your child will change his or her reaction.

But children should be responsible for their own actions—and the results. All parents want to protect their children. But in some cases, if the child is not in physical danger, it may be best to let the child deal with the negative results of things he or she does.

No matter what else you do, communicate with your children and make sure they know that you love them. This can make dealing with conflict easier and more effective.