Do you live outside of the heteronormative-cisgender box?
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex (LGBTQIA) community represents a diverse range of identities and expressions of gender and sexual orientation. In addition to these identities, members of the community are diverse in terms of race, religion, ethnicity, nationality and socioeconomic class.
Those in the LGBTQ+ community experience a rate of mental illness that is double that of straight and cisgendered communities (for example, illnesses like PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Addiction).
What does “LGBTQIA+” Mean?
The LGBTQ part of the acronym is based on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. It’s also common to see the acronym LGBTQIA+ – lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual people. The plus symbol is thought to symbolize acceptance and inclusion of any additional sexual, relational, and/or gender identities not explicitly covered by the previous acronym (e.g., demisexual, pansexual, aromantic, non-binary, genderqueer, gender-expansive, demigirl, demiboi).
What are Common LGBTQIA Issues?
LGBTQIA+ individuals often live with “minority stress”—a heightened anxiety that can result from experiencing abuse, harassment, prejudice, social exclusion, and/or family rejection.
Here is a longer list of issues that might be addressed in LGBTQIA+ counseling:
- Safety concerns
- Healthy communication
- Dealing with discrimination and non-acceptance
- Gender and sexual identity
- Dating and other relationships
- How and when to come out
- Addiction & Substance Abuse
- Grief & Loss
- Family concerns
- Transcending gender roles
- Eating disorders
- Depression
- Anxiety and stress
- Self-esteem issues
- Past trauma and abuse
- Adjusting to major life changes
LGBTQIA adults are more than twice as likely as heterosexual adults to experience a mental health condition. Transgender individuals are nearly four times as likely as cisgender individuals (people whose gender identity corresponds with their birth sex) individuals to experience a mental health condition.
Therapy for LGBTQIA+ in Wilmington, NC
Affirmative therapy is more than just accepting of your identity—it’s care from a competent provider with knowledge and tools that apply to your specific experiences. It embraces all LGBTQIA+ identities and addresses how heterosexism, homophobia, and transphobia can affect our daily lives.
It’s time to get the help you need and deserve. At our Wilmington, NC based counseling practice, our therapists specialize in LGBTQIA affirmative therapy. Our professional counselors for affirmative therapy are trained to listen with empathy and expertise and offer guidance to facilitate your personal growth. Additionally, we offer online therapy in North Carolina for added convenience.
