LGBTQ+ affirmative counselling is counselling that isn’t just LGBTQ+ or queer friendly but instead recognises the often complex nuances of being a member of this community. It recognises how homophobia and transphobia and structural violences affect mental health, it considers how existing and growing up in spaces that aren’t affirming can change our ways of thinking, being and behaving. This therapy knows that being queer, trans or LGBTQ+ is as natural and diverse as the natural world that surrounds us.
So why is this therapy so important?
- The history of mental health care and therapy hasn’t been kind to the LGBTQ+ community. There is a long history of queer therapy, trans therapy and mental health care pathologising and medicalising gender, sexuality and relationship diversity. This can still happen in a mental health settings both explicitly and implicitly so having affirmative care can be vital.
- Affirmative therapy can be helpful if you are experiencing internalised transphobia/homophobia or difficulties with friends/ family/work with their reactions to you. Having therapy with someone who is also a member of that community can provide a shared understanding and a more secure space for talking whilst also acknowledging everyone's experience is highly unique and individual.
- Perhaps what you want to come to therapy about has absolutely nothing to do with your gender and/or sexuality. Having a trans counsellor or a queer counsellor who is LGBTQ+ affirmative can also mean you don’t have to talk at all or be questioned about your gender and sexuality, it is just accepted as it is and does not need to be analysed further. This can then give you more space for getting into issues that are important to you.