For the LGBTQIA+ community, mental health challenges are often exacerbated by societal stigma, discrimination, and a lack of support and resources. That’s why LGBTQ affirming therapy is so important. Affirming therapy offers a space where you can feel seen, heard, and respected, without fear of judgment. Good Thanks Therapy is dedicated to providing an affirming space for the LGBTQIA+ community, so you can seek support for your mental health and feel seen, heard and understood in your experiences.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of LGBTQ affirming therapy, how it differs from traditional therapy, and how it can impact your experiences with therapy.

What Is LGBTQ Affirming Therapy?

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LGBTQ affirming therapy is an approach to psychotherapy that is grounded in respect, inclusivity, and cultural competence. It acknowledges and validates the unique experiences of individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, queer, or other sexual, romantic and gender identities. The purpose of this therapy is to ensure that clients feel comfortable exploring their identities and addressing their mental health needs in a supportive environment with a therapist that understands the intersections of their identity and the systemic issues that impact them.

Alongside other modalities an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist can focus on the specific challenges that you may face, such as societal stigma, discrimination, gender dysphoria, and internalized homophobia or transphobia.

Friendly vs. Affirmative Therapists

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When looking for a therapist or other practitioner that is LGBTQIA+ affirmative you may come across the term “friendly.” So, what’s the difference between an LGBTQ friendly therapist and an LGBTQ affirming therapist?

LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist: A therapist that is welcoming to the LGBTQIA+ community. An example of this is when stores put a pride flag on their door. You can expect these businesses to be friendly, but not necessarily educated on all aspects of the LGBTQ experience.
LGBTQ-Affirmative Therapist: A therapist who has experience, education and training in working with LGBTQIA+ clients. They have the skills necessary to provide support and guidance on the unique experiences and trauma of growing up and living as an LGBTQ person in an unsupportive world.

If you’re currently a LGBTQ-friendly therapist and you’re looking to learn more and work towards being an affirmative therapist I recommend the trainings by Affirmative Couch.

Why LGBTQ-Affirming Therapy Is Important

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Creates a Safe and Inclusive Space: For LGBTQ folx, finding a therapist who understands their unique struggles is essential for feeling safe enough to open up and talk about what brings them to therapy in the first place – therapy is vulnerable. Finding an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist provides a space where clients can openly discuss their concerns without fear of being judged or dismissed. At Good Thanks Therapy, Stacey is not only a therapist with lived experience, but also recognizes the importance of continued education – just because you’re a member of the community doesn’t mean there isn’t more to learn about experiences outside of your own.
Supports Identity Exploration and Validation: One of the most significant benefits of LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy is that it validates and supports the exploration of identity including gender identity, and romantic and sexual orientations. For many, the journey of self-discovery can be complicated by external pressures and internalizes opinions or conflicts. Affirming therapy helps individuals understand, accept, and embrace their true selves.
Addresses Mental Health Struggles Unique to the LGBTQ+ Community: It’s been extensively shown in the research that LGBTQ folx are at higher risk for mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide. These challenges are often linked to experiences of discrimination, rejection, and marginalization. LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy provides specialized care to address these struggles in a way that is compassionate and considerate of lived experiences.
Helps Navigate Family and Social Dynamics: Coming out and navigating relationships with family and friends can be a difficult aspect of being LGBTQIA+. Therapy can support you in how to have these conversations, set healthy boundaries, and cope with potential rejection or conflict.
Promotes Positive Mental Health Outcomes: Affirmative therapy has been shown to improve mental health outcomes by increasing resilience, reducing feelings of isolation, and promoting emotional well-being. When folx feel affirmed in their identity, they are more likely to have improved self-esteem, better coping skills, and a stronger sense of connection with others.

What to Expect from LGBTQ Affirming Therapy at Good Thanks Therapy

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At Good Thanks Therapy, we take an authentic and down-to-earth approach to therapy. With lived experience, affirmative therapy is a necessary part of our work, and we encourage you to show up as you are.

When you come to us, you can expect:

A Non-Judgmental Space: We create a safe, welcoming environment where you can be yourself without fear of judgment.
Culturally Competent Therapists: Stacey McDonald pulls from lived experience and is additionally trained to understand and affirm diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and experiences.
Tailored Support: We offer personalized therapy based on your unique experiences, challenges, and goals, ensuring that the care you receive meets your needs.
Respectful Communication: We respect your preferred pronouns, identity, and experiences, fostering trust and comfort in every session. We are open to feedback, and are dedicated to making changes and improvements to how we work based on client feedback and new learning.

How to Get Started with LGBTQ Affirming Therapy

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If you’re ready to explore how LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy can support your mental health, reach out to Good Thanks Therapy today. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, identity struggles, chronic pain or illness, or simply seeking a safe space for personal growth, we’re here to support you.

If you’re looking to explore additional options (we always encourage folx to book consults with a few therapists to find the right fit) you can filter your search on directories like Theralist or Affordable Therapy Network to find a therapist that focuses on LGBTQ issues. You can also search for terms like LGBTQ Affirming therapist near me, LGBTQ mental health support, therapy for LGBTQ+ community or LGBTQ affirming therapy Guelph (or insert city) to find those near you that offer this type of support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Lastly, word of mouth! Ask your friends, LGBTQ+ groups or local organizations if they have therapists they recommend.

Conclusion

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LGBTQ affirming therapy is not just about addressing mental health concerns—it’s about creating a space where individuals can feel safe, validated, and supported in their unique journey. At Good Thanks Therapy, we are committed to helping you embrace your true self while improving your overall well-being. Remember, you deserve therapy that respects and affirms who you are.

Book a FREE consult today to learn more about our services and how we can support you.