Mental Health in The LGBTQ+ Community
Being an LGBTQ+ person is certainly something to have pride in. But for many folks, it can take time to get to the point where you’re truly proud of your identity. On the other hand, some individuals have always known their identity and lived authentically as such since a young age. However, we know that’s not always the case. There’s a lot that goes into understanding and embracing your identity. And LGBTQ+ therapy can be an essential support for you in navigating it all.
Mental Health Struggles of LGBTQ+ Folks
Along with their cishet counterparts, LGBTQ+ individuals can encounter a range of mental health struggles. However, the intricacies of being an LGBTQ+ person in the United States often bring additional stressors and stressful circumstances. This includes things like the systems and laws our government puts in place along with cultural barriers to acceptance of LGBTQ+ folks.
On an individual level, being a member of the LGBTQ+ community can be daunting at first. When you start questioning your identity, whether it be your sexual orientation or gender identity, it can bring on trauma, anxiety, and even depression. You start thinking about yourself and the way you’ve operated your whole life from a different lens. Realizations like “oh, I did have a crush on that person” to “maybe this is why I never felt comfortable wearing these kinds of clothes” arise. And while these realizations are important, it can be saddening to think about neglecting this part of who you are for so long.
Coming into Your Own
Sometimes, part of the work of embracing your identity is mourning the time you lived a different life. Likely, you weren’t in a safe or welcoming social circle or living situation to be who you are until now. Or maybe you lived in an area where being LGBTQ+ was not spoken about and you didn’t have representation. Living through these types of circumstances that limit your self-expression can certainly have negative impacts on your mental health.
Whether you are just questioning your sexual orientation or gender identity, or have been a part of the community for decades, LGBTQ+ therapy can be a great support for you. For those who are already living authentically and are proudly out, LGBTQ+ therapy can give you space to process trauma as well as navigate changing life circumstances. These life changes vary from being in a new relationship to seeking gender-affirmative health services.
LGBTQ+ Therapy Can Help
At our Washington, DC-based therapy practice, we know that not all LGBTQ+ experiences are alike. Each of us brings a unique story to our community, and it’s vital we support each other despite our different backgrounds. So, whether you’re looking for support in building a community of like-minded LGBTQ+ folks or seeking help with understanding your identity, an LGBTQ+ therapist can assist. Get connected with the support you deserve. We all have a right to feel confident and fulfilled in our relationships with friends, partners, and ourselves. And working with an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist can be the key to helping you achieve this.
Get Started with LGBTQ+ Therapy in Washington, DC
If you’re ready to start understanding yourself on a deeper level and explore your identities, we’ve got you covered. You can work with an online therapist from the comfort of your home in the Washington, DC area for LGBTQ+ therapy.
