What it means to see a queer therapist
Not all therapists are blank screens.
It can be helpful to have a therapist who identifies as LGBTQ for several reasons. Some of these reasons may include:
A shared understanding of LGBTQ+ experiences: A therapist who identifies as LGBTQ may have a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and experiences that LGBTQ+ individuals face. This can provide a more supportive and empathetic environment for LGBTQ+ clients and can help clients feel more understood and validated.
An appreciation for diversity: By choosing a therapist who identifies as LGBTQ, clients can support and celebrate diversity in the mental health field and can help to create a more inclusive and accepting environment for all individuals.
A sense of connection and trust: For many LGBTQ+ individuals, having a therapist who is a part of the LGBTQ+ community can foster a sense of connection and trust. It can help clients feel more comfortable and open in therapy, and can facilitate a deeper level of communication and understanding between therapist and client.
Overall, having a therapist who identifies as LGBTQ can be a valuable and rewarding experience for many clients. It can provide a deeper level of understanding, validation, and connection, and can support clients on their journey towards healing and growth.
A safe space for nonbinary clients
Let’s talk about the importance of gender affirming care.
As gender affirming therapists, we have experience working with the unique challenges and experiences of non-binary individuals. Non-binary is a term that is used to describe individuals who do not identify as exclusively male or female, and who may identify as a combination of genders, no gender, or a gender that is different from their sex assigned at birth.
Non-binary individuals often face stigma, discrimination, and misunderstandings, and may struggle with a lack of acceptance and support from their friends, family, and society at large. They may also face challenges related to their gender identity, such as difficulty expressing themselves, difficulty accessing healthcare and other resources, and difficulty navigating social norms and expectations.
In therapy, non-binary individuals can benefit from a safe and affirming space to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences related to their gender identity. Therapy can provide non-binary individuals with the support, understanding, and validation they need to understand and accept themselves, and to live authentically and comfortably in their own skin.
Therapy can also help non-binary individuals develop healthy coping skills, improve their relationships, and navigate the challenges they may face in their daily lives. It can provide a space for non-binary individuals to work through their emotions, gain insight into their experiences, and find relief from the distress and stigma they may encounter.
If you are a non-binary individual who is seeking support and understanding, please don't hesitate to reach out to a therapist who is knowledgeable and sensitive to the unique challenges and experiences of the non-binary community. We are here to listen and support you on your journey towards healing and growth.
Bisexuality & the experience of bi erasure
Bi erasure leads to bisexual individuals feelings pushed out of different communities and creating a sense of isolation and rejection, leading to harmful mental health effects.
Bi erasure is a term used to describe the marginalization and invisibility of bisexual individuals in society. This can take many forms, including the assumption that bisexual individuals are either gay or straight, the belief that bisexuality is not a valid sexual orientation, and the exclusion of bisexual individuals from LGBTQ+ communities and spaces.
Bi erasure can have serious negative impacts on bisexual individuals, including feelings of isolation, rejection, and invalidation. It can also contribute to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
As a therapist, it is important to be aware of bi erasure and its effects, and to provide a safe and affirming space for bisexual clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This may involve challenging assumptions and stereotypes about bisexuality, and providing education and resources to help bisexual clients understand and affirm their sexual orientation.
It is also important to be inclusive and supportive of bisexual clients in therapy, and to provide referrals to LGBTQ+ affirming resources and support groups. By doing so, therapists can help bisexual clients feel validated, accepted, and supported in their journey towards healing and growth.
If you are a bisexual individual who has experienced bi erasure, or if you are a therapist who is interested in learning more about supporting bisexual clients, please don't hesitate to reach out for support and resources. Together, we can work towards reducing bi erasure and promoting acceptance and inclusion for all sexual orientations.
There’s no “right” way to express your identity
One size does not fit all.
At Miracle Mile Therapy, we are committed to supporting our clients in their gender journeys, and to helping them explore and affirm their gender identities. For some individuals, this may include pursuing medical transition, such as hormone therapy or surgery, while for others, it may not.
Transgender individuals are often faced with the misconception that they must pursue medical transition in order to be considered "legitimate" or "authentic" in their gender identity. This is simply not the case. Gender identity and expression are deeply personal and unique to each individual, and there is no one "right" way to be trans.
It is always valid for transgender individuals to choose not to pursue medical transition, for any number of reasons. Some individuals may not feel comfortable with or ready for medical intervention, while others may not have access to the resources or support needed to pursue medical transition.
It is also important to recognize that medical transition is not a requirement for being trans. Gender identity is not determined by the presence or absence of medical intervention, but rather by an individual's own understanding and experience of their gender.
As affirmative therapists, we are here to support and validate our clients' gender identities, regardless of whether or not they choose to pursue medical transition. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for all individuals, and to helping our clients explore and affirm their gender identities in ways that are authentic and meaningful to them.