Finding a Queer Therapist

There are pieces of our identity that feel sacred to us. You want to feel seen and heard in a more authentic way, something that feels deeper than surface level. If finding a therapist feels like dating, finding a therapist that matches your identity can feel like a one in a million chance.

Maybe that means finding a therapist where you don’t have to explain the nuances of Queer culture to. What polyamory or ethical non-monogamy is. How hook-up culture works for Queer men. Or maybe you just want someone who gets it.

These are all the small nuances of finding a therapist whose identity matches yours. You can use your consultation to explore these questions with your future therapist. Ask them how often they work with LGBTQ folks, or their professional experience with Queer communities. It’s okay to ask about intersecting identities and how they impact clinical work.

All of these questions communicate how important it is to have a therapist that understands your life experiences on a more complex, nuanced, human level.

Of course we have higher rates of alcohol and substance use in the Queer community, when nightclubs and bars have been our only safe space for decades. It makes sense why you might want to examine your relationship to sex if things are feeling “stale” and the apps are no longer giving you joy. Coming out can be infinitely more difficult when we are told to cut off our loved ones, but our family also brings us joy and happiness. Together, you and I will explore the ways in which your mental health interacts with your various identities.