Updated on 10/18/2025
When it comes to therapy, no therapist is one size fits all, but this is especially the case when you’re talking about LGBTQIA+ mental health. Being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community brings a unique set of challenges, and the best way to address this is by seeking out LGBTQIA+ friendly therapy.
It’s natural for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to be cautious of therapy. After all, some people have historically been subjected to conversion therapy in the guise of improving their mental health. Fortunately, these days it’s easier to find an affirming therapist.
LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy can help.
Looking for a LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapist? Find an experienced therapist
Read on to learn more about LGBTQIA+ therapy.
What is LGBTQIA+ Friendly Therapy?
While a cisgender, heterosexual therapist who typically works with heterosexual clients may be the perfect fit for a cisgender heterosexual man, they might not be a great match for someone in the LGBTQIA+ community. That’s why it’s crucial for LGBTQIA+ people to find a LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist.
LGBTQIA+ folks face a slew of struggles that some therapists might not understand like discrimination, coming out, dysphoria, and more. So, it can be a game-changer for someone in the LGBTQIA+ community to find a therapist who is a part of the community themselves, or at least works extensively with the LGBTQIA+ community.
Affirming therapy is one of the key aspects of LGBTQIA+ friendly therapy. Basically, affirming therapy is when a therapist affirms or validates a client’s LGBTQIA+ identity, empowering them to embrace their gender identity and sexual orientation rather than trying to fight or change it. This is helpful whether you’re out and proud or if you’re newly questioning your sexual or gender identity.
Additionally, LGBTQIA+ friendly therapy means the therapist should have no judgment or bias against the LGBTQIA+ community, and they should be well-informed about common issues faced by folks in the community. And depending on the circumstance, mental health professionals can also offer therapy group sessions with other LGBTQIA+ clients or conduct family therapy with the parents and siblings.
The Importance of Therapy for the LGBTQIA+ Community
There’s a link between sexual orientation, gender identity, and mental wellbeing. The statistics surrounding LGBTQIA+ mental health are sobering. Adults in the LGBTQIA+ community are at least twice as likely to have a mental health condition than heterosexual adults, and transgender adults are about four times as likely to have a mental health condition than cisgender people. Even more alarming, a survey amongst transgender people found that a whopping 40% of the respondents had attempted suicide before.
The numbers make it clear: The LGBTQIA+ community needs proper mental health care to address these problems. Not only do they need therapy, they need LGBTQIA+ friendly therapy for the most effective comprehensive care. Every member of the LGBTQIA+ community seeking therapy deserves an LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist who really gets them and the unique stressors they face.
Searching for the Best LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapist
Finding a therapist who truly understands and affirms your LGBTQIA+ identity is crucial for your mental health and overall wellbeing. When searching for an LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist, here are the most important aspects to consider:
Key qualities of an LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist
- Affirming and non-judgmental: The therapist should validate your sexual orientation and gender identity, empowering you to embrace who you are.
- Knowledgeable about LGBTQIA+ issues: From gender dysphoria to coming out and discrimination, a good therapist understands the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals.
- Experience with affirming therapy: Look for providers who specialize in affirming therapy and have a track record of supporting LGBTQIA+ clients.
- Empathy and understanding: Comfort and trust are essential in therapy, so choose a therapist who listens, empathizes, and supports you without bias.
- Flexibility in therapy options: Some therapists offer individual, couples, family, or group therapy sessions, as well as online appointments for added convenience.
Why Talkspace is a great option
Talkspace offers a range of online LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists, making it easier to access high-quality mental health care from the comfort of your home. With Talkspace:
- You can filter for LGBTQIA+ friendly therapists and find someone experienced in affirming therapy.
- Therapy is fully online, providing privacy, flexibility, and convenience.
- Talkspace therapists are trained to support a wide range of LGBTQIA+ experiences, helping clients navigate issues such as coming out, gender identity, relationship challenges, and more.
By prioritizing these qualities and leveraging platforms like Talkspace, LGBTQIA+ individuals can find affirming mental health support that meets their unique needs.
The Process of Finding an LGBTQIA+ Friendly Therapist
Luckily, the internet makes finding an LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist simpler. You have a few options for finding a provider who offers LGBTQIA+ friendly therapy:
Search Online
- Google searches: Try searching for terms like “LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist” or “affirming therapy” along with your location. You’ll likely find websites and profiles of therapists in your area.
- Online databases: Platforms such as PsychologyToday.com allow you to filter therapists by location, insurance, specialties, and even the provider’s sexual orientation. This is especially helpful if you want a therapist who identifies as LGBTQIA+ themselves.
Ask Local Resources
- LGBTQIA+ centers: Your local LGBTQIA+ center can provide recommendations for affirming therapists. Not sure where the nearest center is? You can use online location finders to locate one near you.
Check Therapist Qualifications
- Licensed therapist: Make sure the therapist is licensed to practice in your state so they can legally provide treatment.
- Specializations: Look for therapists who specifically list LGBTQIA+ friendly therapy or affirming therapy as their specialization. Most LGBTQIA+ friendly therapists will highlight this on their website or profile.
- Community affiliation: Some people prefer therapists who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. These therapists may better understand your experiences firsthand and create a more comfortable environment for you to share your struggles.
Schedule an Initial Call
Most therapists offer a phone or video consultation. This is a chance to assess whether the therapist is a good fit for you:
- Ask if they specialize in LGBTQIA+ friendly and affirming therapy.
- Inquire about their experience working with LGBTQIA+ clients.
Ask about their own LGBTQIA+ community affiliation, if relevant. ● Discuss the type of therapy they provide and the mental health conditions they treat.
How Does an LGBTQIA+ Friendly Therapist Help?
Having a good LGBTQIA+ friendly and affirming therapist can make a big difference in your life. Some qualities of a good LGBTQA+ mental health provider include:
- Being knowledgeable about the LGBTQIA+ community and the issues people in the community face
- Having experience with affirming therapy
- Being understanding
- Being empathetic
- Being empowering
- Being objective
With these qualities, training, and experience, an LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist can help you work through a variety of issues or struggles such as:
- Coming out to friends and family
- Embracing your sexual identity
- Gender dysphoria
- Low self-esteem
- Relationship troubles
- Trauma
- Suicidal thoughts
- Substance abuse
Additional LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Resources
- LGBTQIA+ National Help Center: This organization offers three hotlines: one for adults, one for youths, and one for seniors 50 and over. There is also an online support chat where you can message a peer support volunteer, as well as weekly moderated youth chat rooms.
- The Trevor Project: This organization primarily focuses on LGBTQIA+ Mental Health in youths. They offer a hotline, online chat, and texting option.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: While this hotline is not specifically for LGBTQIA+ folks, the trained volunteers can help you out if you are struggling with suicidal thoughts. If you are feeling suicidal and afraid of hurting yourself, do not hesitate to reach out to the Lifeline or head to your nearest emergency room.
To sum it all up, if you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community and struggling with your mental health and wellbeing, LGBTQIA+ friendly therapy can change your life for the better. Affirming therapy can help you feel proud to be LGBTQIA+, and an LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist can help you navigate your life struggles, making you a more confident and mentally resilient person.
It may take a couple of tries to find the LGBTQIA+ friendly therapist who’s best for you, but don’t give up. Individual therapy can be intimidating the first time around, so you can also find a therapist that conducts group therapy, couples therapy, or family therapy sessions. In case you can’t meet with your therapist in person, we also have online therapy services. Once you find your match, it’ll be well worth it.
Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health-wellness contributors; they are grounded in scientific research and evidence-based practices. Articles are extensively reviewed by our team of clinical experts (therapists and psychiatrists of various specialties) to ensure content is accurate and on par with current industry standards.
Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.
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