Our therapists offer help for LGBTQ+ issues in Westborough, MA

LGBTQ Informed Therapy in Westborough, MA—Therapists

While many advances have been made, without a doubt, there is room to grow. People who identify at LGBTQ still face discrimination, abuse, and marginalization just for being themselves. There is a steep price for this stigmatization, and the LGBTQ community has higher rates of depression, anxiety, and addiction than cis-gendered, straight communities.

Emotional health requires freedom to be oneself. That means being honest about what you like and do not like. That means acknowledging your weaknesses and strengths. It also means being true to one’s sexuality and gender. For those in the LGBTQ community, there are particular challenges that others do not face. The therapists at Thriveworks Counseling in Westborough offer LGBTQ informed therapy. We understand the unique challenges that people who identify as LGBTQ face as they fight for mental health and self-acceptance. If you think you could benefit from LGBTQ+ counseling, reach out to us today.

LGBTQ Informed Counseling

People in the LGBTQ community are up against an unfair and untrue stigma that is unfortunately very real. This stigma takes an emotional and psychological toll. It is the stress of living with harassment, rejection, and discrimination that others do not have to face. This toll translates into real-world impact. For example, those within the LGBTQ community …

• Experience substance abuse at a rate of 30 percent while straight and cis-gendered populations experience substance abuse at a rate of 9 percent.
• Report living with “minority stress.” They often experience a heightened anxiety because they face more abuse, prejudice, harassment, denial of their human rights, social exclusion, and family rejection.
• Who are age 10-24 experience more bullying, fear, hatred, and prejudice in their homes and school as compared to their peers.
• Are diagnosed with mental disorders like generalized anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder three times more than other populations.
• Suicide is a leading cause of death for LGBTQ youth.

What does it mean for counselors to give their clients LGBTQ informed care? The professionals at Thriveworks believe that the key is building trust with their clients. Everyone needs a place where they can speak their reality, process their experiences, and be heard without fear or judgment or shame. Our therapists work hard to understand the pain that abuse, discrimination, and harassment have caused. That pain needs to be honored. As the pain heals, new dreams will arise. Those dreams also need to be honored. That is the positive aspect of therapy—building a life each client wants to live.

Each client sets the pace of counseling, but often, clients who identify as LGBTQ want to talk about:

• Dealing with discrimination and non-acceptance
• Addiction
• “Coming out” issues
• Anxiety and stress
• Family concerns
• Dating and other relationships
• Eating disorders
• Gender and sexual identity
• Healthy communication
• Past trauma and abuse
• Transcending gender roles
• Depression
• Self-esteem issues
• Safety concerns

Appointments at Thriveworks in Westborough for LGBTQ Informed Counseling

If you are ready to meet with a therapist who will respect who you are, then the professionals at Thriveworks Counseling in Westborough are ready to meet with you. When you contact our office, you may have your first appointment within the same week. We offer evening and weekend sessions. We also accept many different insurance plans. Call today.