Therapy for those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) treats mental distress caused by the oppression, marginalization, and discrimination that may occur when coming out to family members, adjusting to a person’s authentic identity, and dealing with family pressures and expectations.

 

According to the research, youth who identify as LGBTQ have an increased risk of self-harm and suicidal ideation, especially when they are faced with discrimination. In school, students who identify as LGBTQ are bullied, victimized, and rejected by their peers, which can lead to mental distress. LGBTQ adults may also experience similar persecution at their workplace, schools, and housing. These stressors may be the catalyst for LGBTQ individuals to seek mental health treatment, and an LGBTQ informed therapist can help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and substance use in their clients (Almeida, et al., 2009; Yarbrough, 2018). 

 

Family Therapy for those who are Gay, Lesbian and Transgender targets the relationships between the individual and their family members. We have repeated findings that strongly suggest that supportive relationships between LGBTQ+ and their family members can be protective, reducing their risk for suicide, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and risky sexual behaviors. Family therapy can thus help the family harness this protective power.

 

When a child comes out to a parent, the child is looking for support and acceptance while the parents is possibly experiencing shock, guilt, sadness and worry. Family therapy techniques targeting this population involve education, enactments, or getting family members to talk to each other in productive, non-reactive ways, and reframing difficult conversations (LaSala, 2010; Nealy, 2017; Stone Fish, 2007).