The Importance of Queer Affirming Therapy

The queer community represents a diverse range of identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientation. In addition to these identities, members of the community are diverse in terms of race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and socioeconomic class. The intersectionality (the combined and overlapping aspects of a person’s identity) brings diversity of thought, perspective, understanding, and experience. This complexity is important to understand as a unique and valuable aspect of the queer community that can result in a strong sense of pride and resiliency.

While belonging to the LGBTQ+ community can be a source of strength, it also brings unique challenges. It’s important to recognize how your experience of sexual orientation and gender identity relates to your mental health.

Queer-affirming therapy validates LGBTQ+ identities and addresses minority stress rather than treating your experiences as a disease. Queer-affirming care is built on the understanding that mental health challenges (like anxiety or depression) in LGBTQ+ individuals often stem from a non-supportive or discriminatory social environment rather than anything inherent to your identity. A good therapist will create a space where you never have to “teach” them about queer issues. A good thing considering how important mental health is in queer spaces; LGBTQ+ people experience mental health disorders like major depression or generalized anxiety more likely than the rest of the population, issues that are magnified if a person experiences marginalized identities. Additionally, being queer can sometimes feel like an obstacle toward finding healthcare in and of itself – not just for our bodies, but for our minds – as it is often difficult to find providers who are not just affirming but simply LGBTQ+ literate at all.

At Blue Sage Wellness (BSW) all our clinicians are well versed in queer-affirming therapy, and can help you work toward living a life that’s more authentic to who you are rather than who society expects you to be. BSW clinicians will help you take ownership of your own life and help you navigate and thrive in your future.

Why Some Queer People Seek a Queer or Queer Affirming Therapist

Finding a therapist you share common ground with can alleviate some of the fear and anxiety that therapy can bring. Additionally, you might have to spend less time educating your therapist about your identity. While it is not necessarily important for queer people to find a therapist who is LGBTQIA+ themselves, it’s definitely essential to find one who is LGBTQ+ affirming.

Talking to another queer-identified person in a therapeutic setting can be a great way to establish a sense of safety. You will not need to feel like constantly justifying your identity in front of someone who does not share the same experiences as you. Knowing you won’t be judged can be comforting and give you a safe space to explore complex feelings.

When and Why You Should Seek Help

In our current political climate, it is more important than ever that we in the queer community bring mindful awareness to our mental health. In the words of John Carroll, a marriage and family therapist at the Institute for Human Identity in Manhattan, New York, “The road to equality is not a sprint; it’s a marathon, and taking care of ourselves physically and mentally is of utmost importance.”

Finding the right therapist might be a daunting task, especially when you are going through mental anguish, but it is important for you to seek help if you feel like you may harm yourself or someone else. In cases of immediate danger, seek out a professional asap, go to the emergency room, or call an LGBTQ+ hotline:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8355)

• The Trevor Project (866-488-7386, for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-24)

• The Gay, Lesbin, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) National Hotline (888-843-4564)

• Trans Hotline (877-565-8860)

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Common Questions

What if I live outside the urban areas?

BSW offers virtual appointments through Telehealth throughout Tennessee, Kentucky, and New York.

Do I need a referral to start?

No referral is needed to book with us.

Can I book with BSW if I already have a therapist or primary care provider?

Yes. We believe in team-based care and are happy to work alongside your existing providers.

What insurance does BSW take?

We accept Aetna and United Healthcare for qualifying visits. For other plans, we can provide a superbill for potential reimbursement. HSA, FSA, and CareCredit are also accepted.

What if I’m nervous about making an appointment?

That’s a completely reasonable response to a healthcare system that hasn’t always shown up for you. We encourage you to take the next small step anyway. A 15-minute discovery call is a low-stakes way to get a feel for the space before committing to anything.