LGBTQ Therapy Woodland Hills
Are You A Member Of The LGBTQ+ Community In Need Of Support?
Has a mental health challenge begun to interfere with your life and well-being? Do persistent issues, such as relationship conflicts, intrusive thoughts, or low self-esteem, cause emotional turmoil? Would you benefit from working with a counselor who not only is well-trained in evidence-based therapy but also provides LGBTQ+-affirming care?
As someone who is LGBTQ+, perhaps you feel burdened by the additional weight you have to carry each day. Above and beyond the pressures of daily life that are already difficult to navigate, the way you are perceived and treated by others could lead to low self-esteem, social anxiety, codependency, or people-pleasing behaviors.
A Lack Of Acceptance Could Exacerbate Your Anxiety Or Depression
If your family, workplace, or community doesn’t accept you, it can feel as though your life is divided into two halves. There is the side that you present to the outside world, while your authentic self remains hidden from everyone except those whom you trust. Living in a world that has a limited understanding or tolerance of your gender identity or sexual orientation can negatively influence how you feel about yourself. Without a sense of belonging and unconditional acceptance, your mental health may suffer.
If you are anxious or depressed, these emotions are likely affecting your relationship. You and your partner might be dealing with codependent behaviors, such as unhealthy boundaries, poor communication, or imbalances where you end up giving more than you get. Or perhaps you frequently argue over everything from parenting to finances.
Fortunately, LGBTQ+ therapy offers a safe space where you will feel seen, heard, supported, and accepted. Rather than having to worry about justifying your experience to your therapist, affirmative care ensures that you will be fully accepted for who you are.
LGBTQ+ Folx Are Often Unfairly Judged Or Discriminated Against In Their Communities And Families
Because we are all wired for connection, the need to belong and be accepted by our peers is vital to our well-being. Unfortunately, those of us who identify as LGBTQ+ are commonly subjected to discrimination, stigmas, and inaccurate stereotypes that interfere with how we may be perceived. Prejudice can play out on both macro and micro levels, whether it’s on the national or statewide political stages, within our communities, or, worst of all, in our families.
Although California is generally considered an LGBTQ+-friendly state, many residents live in communities that are less than tolerant. Our families may have immigrated from countries that outlaw the LGBTQ+ lifestyle or belong to churches that consider “homosexuality” to be a sin. If those around us abide by religious or cultural practices that discriminate against our sexual identity or orientation, we may feel isolated, ostracized, or forced to conceal an important aspect of ourselves.
Finding The Right Therapist Is Important
Like everyone, the reasons why LGBTQ+ folx seek therapy are varied and nuanced. In addition to issues that pertain to sexual identity or orientation, we also struggle with anxiety, depression, addiction issues, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), perfectionism, ADHD, the effects of trauma, or challenges maintaining healthy relationships.
However, working with a therapist who is unfamiliar with the issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community can be limiting. It takes more than finding someone who is “tolerant” of our lifestyle to forge a trusting relationship that leads to beneficial results.
At Embracing You Therapy, we ensure the counseling you receive is evidence-based and that you’ll be paired with an LGBTQ+-affirmative therapist who actively collaborates with you to support your goals. In addition to treating a wide range of mental health challenges, we also offer LGBTQ+-affirming counseling for same-sex couples to address relationship issues.
LGBTQ+-Affirming Therapy Can Help Integrate Your Counseling Experience
If you identify as LGBTQ+ and could benefit from therapy, finding the right fit shouldn’t be an either/or option. Our practice combines the most current evidence-based treatments—like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)—with a non-judgmental, accepting, and supportive environment. Because we understand the nuances of being LGBTQ+, we will make therapy a comfortable place that allows you to be vulnerable and share how you’re feeling with someone who will actively collaborate with you in reaching your goals.
Although the therapy you seek may directly relate to LGBTQ+ issues, such as gender identity, coming out, or se couples counseling, it doesn’t necessarily have to. Our LGBTQ+-affirmative approach informs the therapeutic relationship so that no matter what brings you to therapy, you will feel seen, heard, validated, and supported.
What To Expect In Sessions
Your therapist will work collaboratively with you to explore your concerns, discuss your goals, and develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Therapy may address:
- Relationship issues, whether with your significant other, children, or your family of origin;
- Problems with self-esteem, internalized shame, codependency, and people-pleasing behaviors;
- Connecting how your past is shaping your present and gaining control over negative feelings that contribute to depression and anxiety;
- Mental health challenges such as OCD, trichotillomania,ADHD, or addiction;
- The negative impact of homophobia, transphobia, and/or heterosexism on your daily life.
The Modalities We Use
Depending on what your concern is, we will draw from various modalities, including:
- DBT skills to improve emotional regulation and communication;
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) to manage the symptoms of anxiety;
- Role-playing exercises to develop confidence in your relationships;
- Keeping a cognitive behavioral thought record to track how your thoughts negatively impact you so you can learn to observe them rather than be in them;
- ERP to help you create a hierarchy of your fears related to social anxiety and OCD and, through exposure, build up your tolerance for discomfort;
- Gottman Method Couples therapy to help resolve conflict, repair your relationship after a betrayal, and unpack the impact of childhood experiences on your current relationships so that you can create a healthy, secure attachment.
Our team is committed to providing a supportive and affirming environment, which, in turn, allows you to get the most out of therapy. When you feel comfortable and at ease, you can delve more deeply into the work we will do together, which can lead to breakthroughs you may not have experienced otherwise.
But You May Have More Questions About LGBTQIA+ Therapy …
Does LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy differ from other types of counseling?
Unlike traditional therapy, an affirmative approach addresses the distinct issues and needs of the LGBTQ+ community with an emphasis on inclusivity, respect, and acceptance of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. While we utilize the same modalities, we look through the lens of your experience to ensure you receive support that is tailored to you. LGBTQ+-affirmative therapy ensures you will have a safe environment that promotes self-acceptance and emotional well-being.
How will I know if talking to a counselor about LGBTQ+ issues will help me?
Seeking LGBTQ+-affirmative therapy allows you to speak openly and honestly about whatever concerns you may be having related to your sexual orientation, gender identity, or close relationships. Whether you might benefit from LGBTQ+ couples therapy, marriage counseling, or therapy related to gender identity, or coming out, the clinically sound approaches we specialize in can help you make sense of your experience.
We Recognize And Appreciate You As Your Authentic Self
You deserve therapy where you will be fully accepted for the special person you are. To schedule an appointment to begin LGBTQ+ therapy at our Woodland Hills therapy practice or online, please fill out the contact form to schedule a free phone consultation.
¹ https://www.verywellmind.com/is-add-the-same-thing-as-adhd-20467
² https://www.moretoadhd.com/adult/adhd-in-adults
³ https://psychcentral.com/adhd/girls-with-adhd
⁴ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31280035/#:~:text
