Discovering your LGBTQ+ identity and becoming your authentic self is a very personal experience. At the same time, this part of you is a social identity. The society, community and family you’re born into can make all the difference in your experience. In this day and age, it’s still common for people who don’t conform to accepted notions about gender and sexuality to face bias, hatred and misunderstanding. For many, mental health treatment is a basic essential for health and well-being.
LGBTQ+ individuals are more than twice as likely as heterosexual men and women to have a mental health disorder in their lifetime. LGBTQ+ people use mental health services at higher rates, and they have a significantly higher risk of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. We’ve come a long way in terms of affirming mental health care, but clinicians are just as human and flawed as anyone else. Many of the same problems that exist in everyday life are present in mental health clinics.
When you’re looking for mental health treatment providers, it’s important to find clinicians who can understand the social and psychological challenges you’re facing. In this article, we’ll talk about the importance of finding affirming care and share seven questions you can ask when assessing potential providers.
Why LGBTQ+ affirming care matters
For the individual seeking treatment, mental health care should be a safe haven where they can let their guard down. To find hope and build resilience, you need to get a little vulnerable. When a care provider’s biases come through in these conversations, it can reinforce negative experiences and a negative worldview. It is possible to heal and open yourself up to new possibilities. You’ll receive the best treatment from providers who are not just skilled, but compassionate and self-aware.
To help people through this process, providers need to see their own biases and judgments for what they are. This is even true for those who identify as LGBTQ+ themselves. It takes grit and dedication, and there are plenty of practicing clinicians who haven’t done this work. At best, the treatment they provide may not be very effective. At worst, it can cause unintentional harm.
7 questions to ask when seeking LGBTQ+ inclusive mental health services
Having rainbow flags at the front desk and inclusion statements on the website is a good sign that a mental health practice is well meaning and progressive in their thinking. However, these are only surface-level artifacts. It may not be possible to tell from the outside how well a provider has prepared themselves to provide supportive and affirming treatment. You may be able to find this out by booking a consultation and asking good questions. It’s also a good idea to go to a couple of appointments and reassess how you feel once you’ve gotten to know each other.
Before starting treatment with a new therapist or care team, it’s wise to get a sense of their experience and philosophies on working with LGBTQ+ people.
Here are seven questions you can ask during consultations:
- What specific training do you have in LGBTQ+ mental health needs?
- How do you address unique stressors affecting LGBTQ+ individuals?
- How do you create an affirming environment for diverse gender identities?
- What experience do you have with LGBTQ+ specific concerns?
- How do you approach family dynamics for LGBTQ+ clients?
- Do you have connections to other LGBTQ+ affirming resources?
- How do you stay current with evolving language and best practices?
Evaluating responses to your questions
There are some green flags to look for that may tell you a provider has done their homework when it comes to LGBTQ+ affirming care. First, they should be able to talk about how they’ve grown and changed in this regard. They should also be aware that this is an ongoing process that takes continuous work and self-reflection. Nobody has all the answers, which is why flexibility, humility and learning will always be important.
Clinicians should be aware of the differences between individual experiences and the culture at large and the complex interplay between them. “Queer” isn’t a word that every LGBTQ+ person identifies with. There is privilege and prejudice in LGBTQ+ spaces, and some people don’t always feel like they belong. Our terminology and practices are imperfect and constantly evolving. Listening to LGBTQ+ voices and stories and staying in touch with these communities are critical ways to keep up with the conversation.
Asking open-ended questions can help get potential therapists talking about their practices and beliefs. Of course, you should also ask about topics that are specific to you. Your gut feeling is the most important thing to pay attention to. If something seems off, it’s OK to book a consultation with someone else.
Find LGBTQ+ affirming care designed for you at Lightfully
The journey of getting to know yourself as an LGBTQ+ person, coming out to your loved ones and finding your community looks different for each person. It can be both euphoric and challenging at times. There may be both internal and external challenges that affect your mental health. You’ll need support along the way to care for yourself and become the person you were meant to be.
A great therapist is an important part of a strong support network. Genuinely inclusive care runs deeper than visual symbols of acceptance. Look for providers whose training, language and approach reflect an authentic commitment to affirming therapeutic spaces.
At Lightfully, we make sure our staff of licensed clinicians is well trained and comfortable working with LGBTQ+ individuals. We get to know each client as a person first, not a diagnosis or a list of symptoms. That way, we can match them with a therapist who’s a good fit. Our Precision Care Model (PCM) ensures each client has a personalized and effective treatment experience.
Do you have questions about the care we provide to LGBTQ+ individuals? Let’s talk about it. Please contact us or reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team.
