In a perfect world, every therapist, counsellor, and psychologist would be LGBTQ2S+ friendly.
In reality, finding an LGBTQ2S+ therapist may take some time and effort. Finding effective, personalized support means seeking out a sympathetic and understanding counsellor who is knowldgeable about the community and fits your needs.
Why Isn’t All Therapy LGBTQ2S+ Friendly?
All people deserve access to support that respects their gender identity and individuality. A common issue can be finding a therapist or counsellor with relevant experience. Members of the LGBTQ2S+ community face unique challenges that include discrimination, acceptance, and lack of equality.
Some professionals don’t have much experience offering counselling related to those challenges. You deserve to have a counsellor who offers not only safe and affirming care, but effective care as well.
So, what can you do to find this kind of targeted and affirming support? Let’s consider the options.
How to Find an LGBTQ2S+ Friendly Psychologist, Therapist, or Counsellor
Researching Local Counsellors
No matter your personal identity or specific needs, it’s always a good idea to look into a clinicians background and specialties.
Looking up counsellors in your community can lead you to a professional who aligns with your needs and ensure that you find the right kind of support.
Even if you land on a supportive and knowledgeable provider who’s close by, they may not be accepting patients. Consider that, in any single year, 20% of Canadians face a mental health problem or illness and the number of people seeking care can quickly fill up the appointment books of counsellors.
This can lead you to a counsellor who’s inconveniently located and in turn can lead to additional time, effort, and money spent simply on coordinating your schedule and travelling to your provider.
The good news is that you can conveniently access effective, LGBTQ2S+ affirming care directly from your own home.
Using an Online Counselling Platform
Online counselling provided through an intuitive platform makes it easier to find and access affirming therapy.
With online counselling you can review potential counsellors, see their availability and make sure they cover the concerns related to the LGBTQ2S+ community.
Online counselling also does away with the logistics and costs of transportation and managing your own schedule. Meaning you can spend time focusing on what matters most, your mental health.
Feeling like you need support? A Wellin5 counsellor is available.