LGBTQ people often need psychological support. Many of the problems that affect them result from discrimination and rejection by their loved ones. Sometimes the source of difficulties is that a person does not accept his orientation or gender identity.
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What problems do LGBTQ people experience?
LGBTQ people still face discrimination on the basis of orientation, which sometimes takes the form of physical or psychological violence. Some are rejected even by their loved ones. It happens that a person does not accept his homosexuality or transsexualism. This applies primarily to people who were brought up in a conservative environment.
For these reasons, LGBTQ people are at risk of developing mental health problems such as depression, anxiety disorders or addictions. According to statistics, over 70% of non-heteronormative people have suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives.
What does psychological help for LGBTQ people look like?
The nature of psychological support depends on the problems that a particular person is struggling with. In many situations, we use psychotherapy, during which we help the patient m.in:
- work through traumas related to the experience of discrimination and lack of acceptance from loved ones,
- accept their own orientation and gender identity,
- learn to express emotions,
- develop interpersonal skills.
If a person has mental disorders, such as depression or addictions, we also focus on their treatment. We can also offer family psychotherapy. It is worth using this form of support, for example, when parents have a problem with accepting the child’s orientation. Therapy allows you to better understand the emotions and needs of other family members and teaches proper communication, and thus strengthens bonds.