Seeking Mental Health Therapy From An LGBTQIA+-Friendly Therapist

Choosing the right therapist can be an important step for anyone seeking mental health support, especially those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. For a queer person, it can be crucial to find a therapist who understands the challenges many LGBTQIA+ individuals face in the world today and is supportive and affirming of diverse identities. One option is to seek out a therapist who has dedicated their practice to providing care tailored to individuals in this community.

The process of finding an LGBTQIA+-affirming therapist might seem daunting, but resources are available to help you connect with the right professional for you. Read on to learn more about how a queer person may benefit from meeting with an LGBTQIA+- friendly therapist, what to expect in inclusive therapy appointments, and how to search for this type of therapist near you.

Mental health in the LGBTQIA+ community

These risks are even higher for:

• Queer youth
• Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals
• Queer people with intersecting identities (e.g., someone who is queer as well as disabled, BIPOC, an immigrant, etc.)

In addition, many queer people face systemic barriers to receiving safe, affirming, and affordable mental health care. Similar barriers also reduce the availability of housing, education, nutritious food, and other components of well-being for queer individuals. In a world that presents many obstacles for queer people, the safe space an affirming therapist may create can be life-saving.

Statistics about mental health among LGBTQIA+ individuals

Mental Health America shares a wealth of statistics about the mental health landscape for the queer community today. For example, they report that:

• Queer individuals experience health disparities linked to “societal stigma, discrimination, and denial of their civil and human rights,” and that such discrimination is linked to higher rates of mental illness.
• Teens who identify as LGBTQIA+ are six times more likely to experience signs of depression than non-queer teens.
• 48% of transgender adults report having considered suicide in the past 12 months, versus 4% of the total population who report the same.
• More than 50% of queer individuals surveyed report experiencing discrimination or abuse in a healthcare setting—including “providers denying care, using harsh language, or blaming the patient’s sexual orientation or gender identity as the cause for an illness.”

The importance of LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy

According to a research paper published in 2024, “evidence-based interventions that are culturally adapted for minoritized groups yield better outcomes than non-tailored interventions.” In other words, mental health care for queer people that takes into account the current climate, their lived experiences, and the unique challenges they may face is typically more effective than care that does not.

How LGBTQIA+-informed therapy can be life-saving

LGBTQIA+-identifying individuals are at higher risk of self-harm and suicide than their cisgender/heterosexual peers due to their lived experiences of discrimination, social rejection, and judgment. If such an at-risk individual were to seek mental health care for their trauma or distress and be judged, misgendered, blamed, or otherwise not given informed, affirming care, the resulting outcomes could be deadly. Affirming care, in contrast, can give clients a warm and accepting environment in which to build self-confidence, address mental health symptoms, and heal as their authentic selves.

Receiving contextualized support

Challenges an LGBTQIA+-affirming therapist may help with

There are various reasons why an individual in the LGBTQIA+ community may seek out the support of an LGBTQIA+-affirming therapist. Below are just a few of many topics on which this type of professional may provide support.

Questions or challenges related to sexual orientation or gender

A therapist who is trained in queer-related topics may be able to provide a safe space where an individual can explore their gender identity and/or sexuality. They can guide a client through a nonjudgmental exploration of different elements of their identity as they work toward finding what fits them. A therapist can also offer support in managing gender dysphoria and navigating social and/or medical transitioning for clients of trans or gender non-conforming experience.

Coming out and relationship challenges

“Coming out” is when a queer person shares their queer identity with someone else. This term is often talked about in the context of revealing one’s true identity with close friends and family for the first time, which may happen at any age. Doing so can be nerve-wracking, given the possibility of being rejected by loved ones as a result.

A queer-informed therapist may help a person prepare for and navigate this (often-ongoing) conversation. In the case of rejection or other unfavorable outcomes, the therapist can also provide critical support and resources, since research suggests that “family rejection increases the odds of substance misuse and suicide attempts in transgender and gender non-conforming people” in particular.

Trauma

Living as an openly queer person in a world where identity-based discrimination and harassment are common can be difficult and even dangerous. If a queer person has experienced trauma—whether related to their Identity or not—an LGBTQIA+-affirming therapist will typically have the tools to help them process it without blame or judgment

Healing from domestic violence

Domestic violence can affect those in queer community, with more than 60% of those who identify as LGBTQIA+ reporting having experienced domestic, family, or intimate partner violence and abuse at some point. People recovering from this type of experience can often benefit from the support of a mental health professional who can
understand their experiences and provide non-stigmatizing support.

Queer couples therapy

Queer partners who are interested in couples therapy may also choose to find an LGBTQIA+-friendly therapist for couples therapy. These therapists might better understand the challenges that can arise in LGBTQIA+ relationships, and they may be less likely to view romantic relationships only through the lens of heterosexuality, monogamy, traditional gender roles, etc.. These therapists can offer useful advice and  guidance to help partners work through complicated relationship situations, communication problems, lack of family acceptance, societal judgment, parenting, and other challenges.

Inclusive support related to kink and polyamory

Trying out different relationship styles or sexual practices such as kink or polyamory, for example, can bring up different challenges and emotions. Many LGBTQIA+-friendly therapists have experience on these topics, since they are part of the experiences of many queer people. Such a provider can offer nonjudgmental, tailored support to their
clients.

If you or a loved one is experiencing abuse, contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Support is available 24/7.

What to expect when working with an LGBTQIA+-inclusive therapist

When you meet with a qualified, queer-affirming therapist, they will likely start by asking for your preferred name and pronouns and why you've decided to seek therapy. They may also ask you questions about your personal circumstances (such as your living situation, relationships, etc.) and your mental health.

A skilled provider will typically ask these questions in a gentle and compassionate way and will respect your boundaries if they touch on topics you are not ready for or not interested in discussing. Over time, they’ll use specific, evidence-based approaches to guide you through conversation-based reflection and reframing in order to promote healing.

Tips for finding a queer-inclusive therapist

As you begin your journey toward finding the right LGBTQIA+-inclusive therapist for you, it can help to remember that this process may take time. Again, the goal is typically to find someone you can feel safe and comfortable opening up to, so it may be helpful to try a few different providers.

Remember that there's nothing wrong with switching therapists at any time if you feel  like one is not the right fit. To help you get to know a therapist and their approach, it may help to come to your first session with a list of questions about their expertise and training and to jot down a few notes to help you remember which provider was which.

Note that if you encounter a therapist who is using a harmful approach to treatment or is engaging in abuse, discrimination, or similar behavior, it can be important to report them to whatever agency they may work for as well as to the appropriate governing body.

Looking for a queer-affirming therapist near you

There are many different ways to search for an LGBTQIA+-affirming therapist to meet with in your area. If you have insurance, you could ask your insurance company or browse their provider portal for options that are covered under your plan. You could also use a directory of queer healthcare providers and search by your city name or zip code.
Another approach is to inquire at your local queer community center or health clinic for a recommendation, or ask a queer friend how they found their therapist.

Online and telehealth options for LGBTQ+ clients

If you prefer to meet with a mental health care provider online rather than in person, options are available. Online and telehealth services allow you to connect with a qualified mental health provider virtually, from home, work, or anywhere else you have an internet connection.

Many people find this method more convenient or comfortable than traveling to a brick-and-mortar therapy office to meet with a provider face to face. For those living with a disability or in an area with few in-person providers, online therapy can also reduce certain barriers to receiving mental health care.

Exploring online therapy through BetterHelp

BetterHelp is one of the most well-known platforms for receiving online therapy today. It allows you to share your needs and preferences in a therapist and get matched with a licensed provider accordingly. You can then meet with them remotely, via video call, phone call, and/or in-app messaging, from home or anywhere you have an internet
connection.

Is online therapy effective?

Individuals who feel more comfortable receiving mental health support from a therapist virtually can typically feel confident in the quality of care that they will receive from a qualified provider online. Research suggests that, in many cases, meeting with a licensed therapist remotely can provide similar benefits to meeting with a licensed
therapist in person.