If you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, it can feel a little risky when it comes to choosing a therapist. Therapy is supposed to be a freeing space, so you don’t want to be holding anything back, especially something about you that not only makes up core parts of who you are, but also brings on a lot of specific issues and conflicts.
If you’re searching for an ‘LGBTQ-friendly therapist near me’, you want to be sure the results truly do bring up a therapist that’s right for you. Here are a few tips from Philly Family Life Counseling to help you look for an LGBTQ-friendly therapist.
LGBTQ-Friendly Therapists – What to Look For
If you’re searching for an ‘LGBTQ-friendly therapist near me’, you might get a lot of results. How do you choose a therapist, and how do you know they’re the right one? There’s a lot to consider. Here are a few things to look for:
Empathy – an LGBTQ-friendly therapist may not always be part of the community themselves, so it’s important to read reviews or check for personal letters on their websites. Your experience might involve traumas, religious conflicts, relationship struggles, medical concerns, and other situations that are very specific to the LGBTQ+ community. Your therapist will need to be empathetic to these situations.
Medical resources – Many therapy offices list resources on their websites, like addiction groups, suicide hotlines, and more. If they’ve listed resources for people living with HIV/AIDS, like friendly websites, medical centers, or support groups, then it’s a good sign the therapist is an LGBTQ-friendly therapist. Also check for resources about gender-reassignment surgery. That’s a huge indication they’re an LGBTQ-friendly therapist.
Buzz words – Look out for buzz words. “Gay-affirming” and “LGBT-friendly” are good signs, but be careful of words like “cure”, “fix”, or “conversion”. Therapy can help you become the happiest and healthiest version of yourself, but you don’t need to fix who you are to get there.
Philly Family Life Counseling is Here for You
We understand that it can be hard to find an LGBTQ-friendly therapist. Therapy is supposed to offer a safe and neutral space to work through personal conflicts and relationship issues, so finding a therapist that supports your sexual and gender orientation is important. For more information on how Dr. Devers works with the LGBTQ+ community and is an LGBTQ-friendly therapist, fill out our online form or call us at 215-677-3810 between 9am and 5pm on weekdays. Not ready to make an appointment? That’s okay. Follow us on Facebook for all our offers and news.
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