5 WAYS TO ENSURE YOU FIND AN LGBTQ+ INCLUSIVE THERAPIST
QUEER + TRANS YOUTH DESERVE INCLUSIVE THERAPY!
QUEER + TRANS YOUTH DESERVE INCLUSIVE THERAPY!
Finding a therapist is a whole journey and can take time to find the right fit, especially when you are seeking therapy that is LGBTQ+ inclusive. Any therapist can indicate that they are LGBTQ+ affirmative on sites like Psychology Today, so these types of questions can be important information for you as a client to ask when having a consultation with a new therapist. Even when seeking services from known LGBTQ+ community clinics, these considerations can help you determine if a therapist is the right fit for you.
#1 Ask them directly about their experience with the LGBTQ+ community
It is absolutely okay to ask specific interview questions when meeting with a therapist for the first time. This will give you an idea of who they are and what queerness looks like in their lives. Are they Queer themselves? Do they have experience working in the LGBTQ+ community. Any therapist can indicate that they are LGBTQ+ affirmative on sites like Psychology Today so this type of question can be important information for you as a client.
#2 Ask them to describe their training and education around working within the LGBTQ+ community
While training and education may not mean a clinician is the right fit for you or has gained deep understanding of the needs of the LGBTQ+ people, it is a great signal of cultural awareness when a clinician can explain what their training and education has looked like in regards to working with the LGBTQ+ community!
#3 Ask them about their process of writing referral letters for HRT or medical interventions
Whether or not you are in need of a referral letter, this can be a question that shows you the depth of a clinician’s awareness of current needs for trans and non-binary people. There is a long history of gatekeeping and discrimination in the mental health field when it comes to trans and non-binary people obtaining health services. There is not currently a legal need for a mental health professional to write a referral letter for a medical intervention, but some insurance companies may require a referral letter from a mental health professional. A therapist can be an amazing support for someone during this process. It can be important to see how a therapist approaches this process to see how that feels for you to work with them.
#4 Did they share pronouns in profile or other inclusive indicators?
Did you notice pronouns shared in an online profile or website? Are their pronouns included in their zoom name? Are there other indicators on their website that give the impression they are LGBTQ+ inclusive. These are not end-all determinations of inclusion and can be good indicators for you to see whether you would want to reach out or what you might want to find out during a consultation. Not all therapists who are LGBTQ+ inclusive have clear indications in their online presence! You may get a good feeling for other areas they focus on and that may be what leads you to schedule a consultation.
#5 Trust your gut and it’s ok to give someone a trial run!
Ultimately, trust your gut about working with a therapist. It is absolutely okay to ask clear direct questions, and it is okay to let a therapist know you want to give them a try. If you are feeling the vibe of the therapy, amazing! And if not, you own the work and can end sessions at any time. It can be helpful to talk about feedback with your therapist, too. Maybe they will hear your needs and work to expand their knowledge. And maybe not, then you can end and find someone new!
Resources to find LGBTQ+ inclusive providers:
