SOMA Therapy provides mental health counseling and therapy for the LGBTQIA+ community. Schedule an appointment today.
What is Therapy LGBTQ+?
The LGBTQ+ community is still dealing with a tremendous amount of stigma and discrimination. According to the National Alliance for Mental Illness, LGBTQ+ people are three times more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety than heterosexuals.
The good news is there are many ways you can take care of your mental health while embracing your sexual and/or gender identity. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by stress or other issues in life, it’s important to talk with someone who can help remove barriers to achieving happiness and fulfillment and is an LGBTQ+ ally.
As a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ+) person, you may have experienced or are currently experiencing mental health issues or symptoms. This is not surprising given that the development of a healthy sense of self is often challenging for those who identify as LGBTQ+ because they may experience stigma and discrimination.
Because of these experiences, it’s important to be aware of mental health issues specific to the LGBTQ+ community and how they affect your daily life. Mental health issues can range from mild to severe; however, there are ways you can help yourself manage them as we discuss further below.
Ways to take care of your mental health
You’re not alone. According to the American Psychological Association, lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people are approximately 2.5 times as likely to experience depression or anxiety compared to heterosexuals. And although statistics show that transgender people are at higher risk for anxiety and depression than non-transgender people, some studies suggest it’s more common among transgender women than transgender men.
Don’t let your mental health decline because you don’t have time or access to care, worry about stigma/shaming, or because you feel like it would be an admission of weakness. You can take steps today toward improving how you feel about yourself and how others see you such as:
- Making time for yourself daily by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly (even if it’s just taking a walk around the block), eating healthy foods and avoiding substances like alcohol that can lead to unhealthy habits or substance abuse.
- Seek out support from friends, family members, or other supportive loved ones.
- Take action or become connected to your LGBTQ+ Allied community; volunteer or get connected to local organizations that support LGBTQ+ rights.
- Find allied and supportive groups and mental health resources like those at Soma Therapy, GLSTEN, New Perspectives Counseling, and other Wichita community resources.
Find an LGBTQIA+ Therapist Near You
It’s important to find an LGBTQIA+ therapist who is supportive of your identity, as well as knowledgeable about the specific issues you may be dealing with. Here are some ways to find an LGBTQ-friendly therapist:
- Find a therapist who identifies as LGBTQIA+. It can be helpful to see someone who understands what it’s like to go through the process of coming out, or how it feels when others don’t accept your sexual orientation.
- Look for someone with experience working with the LGBTQ+ community or specialized training in LGBTQ+ mental health. We have several therapists and providers at Soma Therapy who are specialized and/or a part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve learned a little more about LGBTQ+ mental health, and that this information has helped you on your journey to finding the right therapist. At Soma Therapy, we have allies and supportive therapists with specialized training in LGBTQ+ mental health. Learn more by calling our admin team at 316-201-6047 or filling out our contact form.