In many ways, counseling with individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) does not differ from counseling for individuals who are heterosexual, gender-conforming, and cisgender. (Cisgender means gender identity that corresponds to a person’s sex assigned at birth.) Like that population, LGBTI individuals come to counseling needing discussion and help to navigate stressors related to work, family, health conditions, social circumstances, and their relationship to themselves, as well as to better understand and improve their relationships with others. (Adapted from psychiatryonline.org)
That said, issues specifically related to sexual and/or gender identity can be focal points in counseling for individuals who are LGBTI. For example, they may want to address concerns such as (adapted from goodtherapy.org):
- “Coming out” to one’s family, friends, colleagues, or peers or deciding to “stay in the closet”
- Psychological distress of discrimination and harassment they face due to their sexual and/or gender identity (in addition to prejudice they may deal with if they belong to other stigmatized groups)
- Psychological distress that may occur when a person’s gender identity is not cisgender
- Sorting out an authentic sense of self in the face of confusion, social expectations, and pressures may lead to depression, anxiety, substance use, and other mental health concerns
- Mental health support during the process of gender transition
- Menal health support when a LGBTI couple decides to raise children together
I offer counseling to individuals struggling with many of these and other related concerns. Contact me, Patrick Connelly, LCSW to discuss if I might be a good fit for you as a counselor and, if so, to schedule a counseling session. Call 609-780-3570 or email pat@relationship-institute-nj.com.
