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Understanding the emotions that surround our sexual orientation, relationship status and gender identity can be a difficult endeavor. With millions of opinions on this topic, navigating your questions can leave you lost and confused. Harmful labels and stereotypes can lead to shame for those questioning who they are. While these can be heavy burdens to bear, you do not have to do it alone. LGBTQ counseling services can provide the help you need as you discover more about your sexual identity.
You may be wondering: why choose an LGBTQ informed counselor? What makes them different from a more traditional counselor? Well, considering the specific struggles surrounding sexuality and gender identity you might benefit more from someone who specializes in working with the LGBTQ community. Such specialists can help you feel understood on a deeper level, and by receiving compassion from others who have faced similar challenges, you will feel more empowered to express yourself.
What To Look For With LGBTQ Counseling
Your Specific Needs
The first step in finding a counselor who is right for you is to identify your area of need. You may be someone who is just beginning to question your sexuality, gender or relationship. You may be someone who struggles to share it with others. Depending upon where you are on your journey, you can find a counselor to help you navigate the ups and downs of these choices. For the LGBTQ community, some common themes to work through in counseling include:
Sharing your relationship with friends and family
Working through shame surrounding your identity
Overcoming stereotypes and negative stigmas
Internalized homophobia
Gender dysphoria
Individual therapy and mental disorders
Experienced Counselor
An important factor to consider when seeking counseling is the professional experience of the counselor. You will want to work with someone who understands your point of view and has the expertise to help you navigate the process. Researching a therapist’s background and experience within the LGBTQ community will give you greater assurance that it’s someone you can trust.
What Does An Experienced LGBTQ Counselor Offer?
Acceptance
Counseling is designed to cultivate an accepting environment specific to the LGBTQ community. Having a place to feel accepted is crucial, and the specialized support in these services will give you a foundation for growth and understanding during your counseling journey.
Proven Therapeutic Methods
Along with an accepting environment, there are many psychological approaches proven to help those who struggle with their sexualityand gender. For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help you identify deeply rooted negative beliefs and their connection to your behaviors. The practice of identifying thought patterns and replacing them with a positive counterpart has been effective in helping anxiety and depression.
Access To More Resources
When engaging in counseling, you will have access to additional resources to help you navigate your sexuality and gender. A whole network of therapists and individuals also will make you feel less alone to give you more security as you move forward.
Benefits Of LGBTQ Counseling
Greater Self-Awareness
Undergoing counseling with a licensed professional can help you identify deeper issues. By regularly engaging in an environment where it is safe to speak your fears aloud, you are naturally lessening the effects they may have on your mental health. Over time, this will result in a deeper sense of awareness. Thoughts that once caused you great pain may be more easily navigated because you’ve learned how to identify them.
Improved Communication Of Your Emotions
Counseling provides the space you need to unpack your feelings so you emerge stronger. Having a counselor who you trust and who validates you will give you more confidence to express yourself to others. As a sounding board for your thoughts, counselors will help you sort out the false narratives you believe about yourself and replace them with more affirming beliefs.
Stronger Relationships
The greater self-awareness and newfound ability to communicate will naturally lead to stronger relationships in your life. Using your time to unpack negative beliefs and discovering ways to embrace yourself will lead to more confidence. This confidence in yourself will permeate how you interact with others, improving your good relationships and weeding out the bad ones.
Where To Find Counseling
Navigating the counseling process takes some effort. As you face the next steps toward self-discovery, you are also stepping into a challenge against your mind. The pressures and expectations you face as an individual in the LGBTQ community are not easy.
So now that you’ve reviewed the criteria of a good counseling service, how do you decide where to go? You can start by looking here at Connected Roots, where we believe every individual deserves to experience freedom from their burdens. With a strong team of professional therapists, we are committed to helping you navigate your sexuality in a comfortable and nurturing environment. If you or someone you know is seeking help with their sexuality, don’t hesitate to reach out for a consultation. Call us today at 720-593-1062 to discover how we can help.
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