LGBTQIA+

So your child told you they’re questioning their gender, or they’re having a strong reaction to being called a boy or girl. Maybe they asked you to use different pronouns or they refuse to wear gendered clothes. What do you do? First and most importantly: Don’t panic. It’s understandable that…

If you’ve ever found yourself pausing a session to explain terminology, correcting a provider on your pronouns, or hesitating to talk about last night’s date, you know the importance of an LGBTQ+affirming therapist. Opening up to a near stranger can be difficult enough without questioning whether the person across from…

Gender dysphoria is the term used to describe deep feelings of distress, unease, and discomfort because one’s biological sex does not align with one’s gender identity, or the gender they feel they innately are. Gender dysphoria is a condition recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5),…

Coming out to loved ones can be one of the most vulnerable and nerve-wracking experiences of a person’s life. Though there are many families and loved ones who are supportive and loving throughout this process, there are plenty who react poorly—saying hateful things or even disowning their loved ones for…

The LGBTQIA+ community is full of diverse and remarkable individuals, each with their own story to tell. Throughout history, people in this community have faced immense hardship and discrimination. However, each of these individual groups has faced their own unique struggles as well.  For many years, bisexual people have struggled…

Coming out as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community takes a lot of courage—and for those who are coming out later in life, it can be even more difficult. Adult LGBTQIA+ members may have built a life around an identity that they no longer associate themselves with. Their interpersonal relationships,…

Imposter syndrome is a lingering feeling of uncertainty related to some part of our identity—the sense that we don’t belong. It can occur at work if we’re promoted, when relocating to a new community, or when meeting new people in our personal lives. But it can also happen to members…

At a time when transgender rights and identities are often under attack, it’s never been more important to highlight and uplift trans voices. Research shows that transgender folks have an increased risk of mental health conditions, particularly depression and anxiety. And suicidality is sadly common in this community, with the…

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (or HRC Foundation) and the University of Connecticut conducted a vast survey of over 12,000 LGBTQ+ teens across the US, revealing prevalent mental health challenges among this group. They feel depressed, worthless, and hopeless—additionally, they face rejection and feel unsafe as well as unsupported. Survey…

One in four people in the world will experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives, making mental illness a leading disability worldwide. That said, a specific group of people is even more likely to suffer from a mental illness: the LGBTQ+ community. These individuals face unique…