LGBTQ Therapy & LGBTQ Counseling

LGBTQ Therapy & LGBTQ Counseling

LGBTQ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning/Queer. Sometimes the abbreviation is expanded to include an “I” for Intersexed, which refers to an individual whose “biological” sex neither fits the reproductive criteria for male nor female; or an “A” for Asexual.

LGBTQ therapy and LGBTQ counseling can help individuals live with the problems unique to the LGBTQ community. Although society has become more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community as a whole, most individuals in the LGBTQ community will struggle with a variety of unique issues at one time or another. And while some issues have little to do with sexuality, gender, or identity, the LGBTQ community does have their own set of unique challenges as well.

Working with a counselor who is qualified to provide LGBTQ therapy and LGBTQ counseling and respond to LGBTQ issues with understanding and care can help you address your therapeutic concerns—even if your issue does not overtly relate to your status as a member of the LGBTQ community. A competent counselor who is trained in LGBTQ issues can help you appreciate the multi-layered cultural and societal concerns that may factor into your situation or wire your thought processes (even outside of your awareness).

Hopeful Texas provides  LGBTQ therapy & LGBTQ Counseling in an accepting, and supportive environment with treatment tailored to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, + (LGBTQ+) community. We recognize that people in the LGBTQ+ community may not seek out psychological services for fear of prejudice and insensitivity. You can be confident that every member of the Hopeful Texas staff strongly believes in the value of diversity and honors the dignity and self-worth of every client. Whether you are single, partnered, closeted, transitioning, POZ, or questioning, you will find an accepting, judgment-free environment at Hopeful Texas.

The Benefits of LGBTQ Therapy & LGBTQ Counseling

Don’t Be Nervous – We Get It

It’s normal to be a little apprehensive about starting LGBTQ Therapy & LGBTQ Counseling. You’ve lived a life that has conditioned you to be on alert. What if they don’t get it? What if they pathologize me? Didn’t gay used to be a mental diagnosis? (Yes, it did, and thank goodness that has changed!)

You might feel alone in your journey. Maybe you’re just starting to explore your identity or make sense of your experiences. Perhaps your family is non-affirming. You might fear that your emerging identity might preclude you from your current relationship. You might even feel some “internalized homophobia” – culturally imposed negative feelings about being LGBTQ+– and you might feel conflicted about wanting to own your identity while also experiencing shame around it.

All of these feelings are totally normal. Although things are slowly changing, we still live in a culture where there are clear and painful messages about being LGBTQ, which is why affirmative LGBTQ therapy is so important.

Our LGBTQ therapy & LGBTQ counseling can help you with:

• Exploring your sexual, romantic, or affectional orientation
• Exploring your gender identity
• Coming out to yourself, your loved ones, your friends, your workplace
• Navigating the complications of dating
• Exploring cultural oppression
• Exploring how you may have been harmed or rejected by religion or religious people
• Navigating holidays, weddings, and events with non-affirming family members and others
• LGBTQ couples counseling
• Poly and non-monogamous relationship counseling
• Queer, transgender, lesbian, and gay therapy

LGBTQ friendly therapists understand and believe that your gender identity and sexual orientation is a natural, normal part of who you are. They also have additional training in unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.