Finding the “right” therapist can be a challenge for everyone, especially those specifically looking for LGBT counseling.
Throughout history, many individuals in the LGBT community have not received equal treatment when it comes to therapy and their overall psychological health. At Focus Forward, we strive to make our counseling center a place where every individual feels safe to be who they truly are.
Our staff of LGBT friendly therapists is committed to working with you to help you cope with any challenges, distress, emotional turmoil, and other changes that can be occurring in your life.
Coping with Life’s Challenges
Some examples of challenges and adjustments you might be experiencing in your life include issues with school or work, domestic violence, chronic health conditions, and family relationships.
LGBT individuals often come to therapy to discuss many of the same challenges many other individuals outside of the community may also experience, including relationship difficulties, familial issues, and depression.
Therapy can also help individuals cope with changes in family relationships and friendships, HIV or other chronic illnesses, and gender fluidity.
Coming Out
Other times, individuals may turn to LGBT therapy as a way to work through other challenges like coming out. Each person’s coming out story is different, and happen in several different ways. It is common for individuals to feel some confusion and ask themselves many questions.
LGBT therapy can help someone navigate through all the different thoughts and emotions they might be processing, as well as learn what the best way to come out is for them.
Understanding Family Relationships
Some individuals may find that their family accepts them for who they are, regardless of their sexual orientation. For many others, this is not the case. Learning to cope with changes in friendships and familial relationships can be difficult, but with the right therapist, it is possible.
A therapist can help you confront any negative emotions you might be feeling as you go through these changes in relationships, and can also help you learn to accept yourself exactly as you are. They can also help you with learning to navigate through delicate conversations and situations with your family.
Navigating Through Parenting
There is also a rise in the number of individuals in LGBT therapy working through challenges such as trying to parent their children. This situation may involve a current partner or ex-partner. A therapist can help an individual separate the issues in their romantic relationship from their concern with their partner or ex-partner in co-parenting.
There are many other challenges a couple may face when trying to understand the best way to parent their child. We believe every family’s story is different and unique and are here to help individuals figure out the best parenting plan for their children.
Gender Dysphoria
Some individuals experience distress and an inner turmoil when their assigned sex at birth does not match the gender with which they identify. Referred to as Gender Dysphoria, this can often lead to feelings of confusion, anger, sadness, discomfort, and other negative emotions. Many individuals experiencing gender dysphoria may want to behave or wear clothing that is not what is typically indicated by their assigned gender.
Other individuals may want to undergo sex-change surgery or hormone treatment to express their true self. Regardless of what decision a person who is experiencing gender dysphoria makes, counseling can help navigate confusing thoughts and feelings as well as help the individual learn more about their identity.
Gender Fluidity
Individuals may also use therapy for understanding gender fluidity and learning to cope with others’ lack of acceptance. Society tends to push an individual to choose one gender, while our staff understands it is not that simple. There is more to a person’s gender and sexual identity than what society tends to appreciate. Gender is complex and can be fluid, meaning it is flexible and can change over time.
Changes in LGBT Counseling
More and more clinician reports are showing that there are new concerns for individuals in counseling, including coping with generational differences and understanding of the LGBT community. Further information from the American Psychological Association shows many clinicians report working with more and more young men on coping with HIV and other chronic health concerns as well as body image issues.
LGBT counseling can be beneficial for many individuals and can go hand-in-hand with other treatment options. With the help of an LGBT friendly therapist, individuals can learn to cope with stressful situations in life, to understand more about who they are, and to be honest in expressing it. Therapy can also serve as a regular, important part of one’s overall health and well-being.
To learn more information about our LGBT counseling services in Cumming and Alpharetta, GA or to schedule an appointment, please give us a call at 404-388-3909.
