What is LGBTQ+ counseling?
LGBTQIA+ counseling is a type of queer affirmative counseling dedicated to assisting individuals and couples in navigating the intricate intersections of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and mental health, with a primary goal of fostering well-being, self-acceptance, and affirming a client’s life experiences as a queer individual. Although not all LGBTQ+ individuals seek specialized counseling, a substantial number discover vital support and empathy within these inclusive and affirming therapeutic settings.
How does LGBTQ+ counseling work?
Thriveworks LGBTQ+ counseling in Chesapeake, VA typically begins with an initial assessment to understand your specific needs. LGBTQ+ counselors aim to create a safe, inclusive, and affirming environment for anyone within the LGBTQ+ community by encouraging self-acceptance and offering an understanding of your identity and experiences. LGBTQ+ therapy addresses issues like coming out, discrimination, mental health challenges, and gender transition, and provides support for LGBTQ+ relationships.
Why is LGBTQ+ counseling important?
LGBTQ+ counseling is incredibly important because it can help queer individuals accept their identity, learn self-love, and give them important tools for facing the challenges of being a queer person in today’s society, among many other benefits. LGBTQ+-affirming therapists can understand the unique perspective and experiences of queer individuals as they help them process past trauma, address family conflicts, treat issues with anxiety, and more.
Is LGBTQ+ counseling conducted in person or online?
Thriveworks LGBTQ+ counseling in Chesapeake, VA is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
How long does LGBTQ+ counseling last?
The number of sessions for LGBTQ+ counseling depends on the specific needs and goals of the individual. It could encompass a relatively limited series of sessions or extend into a longer counseling plan. The precise quantity and duration of sessions typically emerge through collaborative discussion with the counselor, taking into account the client’s progress and their therapeutic objectives.
Need more help deciding?
Informed and Sensitive Mental Health Care— Counseling for Chesapeake’s LGBTQ Community
The mental health professionals at Thriveworks Chesapeake understand that their clients need to live their truth. Our life coaches, counselors, and therapists are sensitive to the unique challenges that individuals who identify as LGBTQ face, and we are committing to offering care that meets their needs.
Call our office at (757) 210-9381 to schedule your session with a provider at Thriveworks today.
What Does LGBTQ Competent Therapy Look Like?
LGBTQ competent therapy is first and foremost individualized. Every person is unique with their own experiences, challenges, and opportunities.
Each professional at Thriveworks Chesapeake works hard to build trust with their clients. As a therapist and client grow to trust each other, people are often able to go deeper and deeper into their story. That means healing can go deeper and deeper as well. In order to establish that trust, therapists may ask questions like…
- How did you decide to start therapy?
- How is your living situation? Is it safe?
- Is there were one thing you could change about your life, what would it be?
- What are some of the exciting things happening in your life?
- What do you want to be doing in a year? Five years? Ten? More?
When trust is established and individualized care is offered, topics often arise that are unique to those in the LGBTQ community. The therapists at Thriveworks Chesapeake are committed to handling these topics with the care they deserve. A few examples include…
- Coming out issues
- Dealing with discrimination and non-acceptance
- Family concerns
- Past trauma and abuse
- Healthy communication
- Self-esteem issues
- Depression
- Transcending gender roles
- Gender and sexual identity
- Dating and other relationships
- Eating disorders
- Addiction, Anxiety and stress
Appointments for LGBTQ Competent Therapy at Thriveworks Chesapeake
Let’s work together for your mental health. Call Thriveworks Chesapeake today at (757) 210-9381.
