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Relationship counseling can be beneficial for all relationships. However, because every relationship is unique and has distinct challenges, you need to find a counselor who understands your specific situation. With LGBTQ relationship counseling, relationships of any kind can often gain a fresh perspective that can help partners grow stronger together. With a focus on compassion and understanding, LGBTQ counseling aims to help all relationships through both common and unique struggles they may face.
What Is LGBTQ Relationship Counseling?
Relationship counseling in general is for those who seek a third party’s perspective to help them through difficult times in their relationships. Examples of when a relationship may seek counseling include:
● First time living together
● First year after marriage
● Constant arguments
● Merging families
LGBTQ relationship counseling accomplishes the same, but with a specific focus on relationships that make up the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer communities. The main difference between traditional counseling and LGBTQ counseling is that it focuses on the specific challenges these communities face.
The Benefits Of LGBTQ Relationship Counseling
Having a relationship counselor is great for facilitating conversation between you and your partner(s). Even if you aren’t butting heads all the time, talking to a counselor can help smooth over smaller issues before they become larger concerns. Addressing problems at the early stages is often the best way to learn and grow together. Seeking the help of an LGBTQ relationship counselor can bring unique benefits as well.
Personal Connection
Many people often feel more comfortable talking about their lives with someone who has shared experiences. It can be hard to open up about your emotions and situations with someone who may not “get it.” Most LGBTQ counselors are part of the LGBTQ community themselves. They often have firsthand knowledge of the specific challenges these relationships face. Having likely navigated their own relationships, they have personal experiences that can help make connections and provide comfort during each session.
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash
Safety
While LGBTQ relationships and communities are certainly more welcome now than in the past, there are still many unsafe spaces. An LGBTQ relationship counselor is dedicated to your privacy and safety. You can seek relationship counseling without the added fear of being exposed or judged. This can be especially useful for those who are not comfortable or don’t feel safe enough to share their relationship with others. Your counselor will create a safe space for you to discuss your relationship and keep your information confidential.
Understanding Unique Challenges
While all relationships have common challenges, there are certain situations that can be specific to LGBTQ relationships, LGBTQ relationship counselors have experience and training in such relationships.
Some examples of the unique challenges your relationship may face include:
● Fighting internalized homophobia
● “Coming out” to friends and family
● Understanding each other’s backgrounds
● Dealing with outside influence/hate
Being a part of an LGBTQ relationship can be challenging at times, but with the right commitment and help, you can work through many difficulties.
Individual Counseling Aid
Relationship counseling may offer unique individual counseling as well, which can be beneficial to many members of the LGBTQ community. We all face our own challenges and struggles impacting our relationships. And while the focus of relationship counseling is on relationship growth, it can also help identify and heal individual challenges. Even if the relationship session itself doesn’t solve the problem, it can help you move forward with individual therapy.
How To Find An LGBTQ Relationship Counselor
Finding the right counselor for your relationship is crucial. While many members of the community face similar challenges, there are certain issues that may be unique to specific sectors. There may also be specific challenges you face based on your history or your partner’s history. Taking the time to find the right counselor is important to help your relationship improve.
Identify Your Needs
Many counselors will have specific subjects or situations in which they specialize. For example, one counselor may focus on polyamorous relationships, while another may focus on how childhood trauma affects relationships. Knowing what kind of relationship struggles you face may help you narrow down your options to find the best counselor for you.
Find A Safe Practice
While many counselors work for themselves, others work as part of a practice or group of counselors. However, even if an individual counselor is safe and welcoming, they may still be bound by the rules and regulations of their larger practice. Therefore, it’s crucial that you identify who a counselor works for to ensure it’s a safe space for all.
Consider Insurance
While finding the perfect match is always best, you may not have the budget to seek counseling without the aid of insurance. It can be helpful to check your policy to see what kind of coverage you have. If you have relationship counseling coverage, make sure you look for a counselor who will accept your plan.
Find LGBTQ Relationship Counseling Today
At Connected Roots, we’re dedicated to helping relationships of all kinds to find the help they need to grow stronger together. With our LGBTQ relationship counseling services, you can safely and freely discuss your relationship challenges without worry. If you need relationship help, call us today at 720-593-1062 to schedule an initial assessment to discover the difference an LGBTQ counselor can make.
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