LGBTQIA+Issues
What do we have in common?
We are all in pursuit of love—whether that means loving ourselves, sharing that love with others, or pouring it into an initiative dear to our hearts.
We want to connect, belong, and genuinely see each other. So when people push us away, judge us, or mistreat us for who we are and who we love, we suffer.
You may have faced discrimination at work or school due to your sexual orientation and/or identity. Perhaps you don’t live by your family’s or society’s expectations and are tired of hiding and fighting this uphill battle. Or maybe you are still navigating questions about your sexual or gender identity, exploring and searching for your authentic self.
As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, you may encounter challenges that leave you feeling misunderstood, scared, and confused. But you are not an outsider. Therapy can help you regain hope, love, and a sense of belonging to improve your well-being.
At Hearst Psychotherapy, we are committed to honoring all humans regardless of their race, background, sexual orientation, or identity. We offer therapy for LGBTQIA+ issues to support adults in North Carolina so they can lead a kind, joyful, and meaningful life.
If you are suffering or looking for your true self, we are here for you. We will welcome you as you are with the respect and grace you deserve.
Keep reading to learn more about therapy for LGBTQIA+ issues, or contact us to schedule a consultation today.
Therapy or counseling refers to the standard psychological treatment used to manage mental health challenges.
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community not only face daily stressors as everyone else does, but they may also endure distinct hardship because of social stigma, marginalization, or oppression. In addition, they might deal with heightened guilt, anxiety, and trauma.
Therapy for LGBTQIA+ issues focuses on helping LGBTQIA+ folx navigate their difficulties so they can thrive.
While in therapy, you will meet with a licensed therapist or counselor to talk about your concerns and find healthier ways to address them. Your therapist will have an extensive understanding of the unique challenges the LGBTQIA+ community faces, as well as specialized training to provide the support you need.
While we all weather pain and misfortune in our paths, LGBTQIA+ folx endure common issues, such as:
- Bullying or shaming
- Discrimination and perceived discrimination
- Fear or guilt
- Health inequities
- Loneliness or isolation
- Low self-esteem or self-worth
- Oppression or mistreatment
- Rejection by family, friends, peers, or others
- Self-harming thoughts or behaviors
- Social pressure and bias (e.g., gender binarism or heteronormativity)
- Struggle with understanding and accepting their authentic selves
- Trauma (e.g., abuse, violence, childhood neglect)
Sometimes, these issues result from prejudice or stigma around gender identity and sexual orientation. Other times, the LGBTQIA+ community simply needs a safe haven to talk about their problems without being judged for who they are.
If you or someone you care about is suffering from any of these difficulties, therapy can help. However, if you are not struggling but would still like to explore and reconnect with yourself, therapy is also a valuable avenue to consider.
Therapy can support you in three key ways:
Allowing you to take space
Therapy invites you to hold space to reflect and share your story without reservations, fear of rejection, or intimidation. Your counselor will listen with empathy, guide you with candor, and make you feel seen and supported throughout the entire process.
Discovering yourself
Therapy can be a beautiful and sometimes challenging journey of self-exploration. Your therapist will encourage you to ask questions, dive deeper, and pave the way to learn more about yourself—your needs, wants, identity, and purpose. The goal is to gain critical insight to make changes that will support your healing and growth, while cultivating self-compassion and kindness.
Finding relief
Therapy can also equip you with coping mechanisms and resources to manage current or future distress. For example, your therapist may teach you breathwork techniques to cope with anxiety or mindfulness meditation to focus on the present moment. You will be able to put these strategies into practice, both in and out of therapy, to find what works for you and attain sustained relief.
At Hearst Psychotherapy, we provide holistic teletherapy to adults living in North Carolina, including therapy for LGBTQIA+ issues, women’s issues, trauma, anxiety, and depression, among other services.
We specialize in various LGBTQIA+ challenges, including sexual orientation and gender identity problems, familial rejection, discrimination, health disparities, trauma due to sexual abuse or intimate partner violence, and more.
As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, you may be struggling to find a provider who can offer nonjudgmental and understanding care. We welcome all LGBTQIA+ folx with no exception. Our BIPOC team is determined to ensure accessible mental health and human rights are extended to everyone, particularly those who continue to battle bigotry and oppression for being “different.”
You are unique, and so is our therapeutic approach. We integrate different modalities such as psychodynamic therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to tailor treatment to your specific needs, background, and situation.
No matter what you are going through, we are here to help. Call us at (704) 951-4859 or contact us to book a free consultation. Let’s find the love and joy you deserve.