2SLGBTQIA+ MENTAL HEALTH:

Overview:

Mental health difficulties are universal phenomena that impact every human being regardless of sexual orientation and gender. Every individual will have their own unique sets of variables (e.g., individual and family history, development, socioeconomic status) that can influence their experience of these difficulties or that can increase their risks to experience them. Additionally, this can mean that your sexual orientation or gender identity/expression (SOGIE) does not equate mental health challenges. You may be seeking support for issues that are not related to your SOGIE (e.g., social anxiety, depression, relationship issues) and also want to meet with a provider who you can assume will be affirming and understanding.

During the clinical intake your provider will do their very best to understand your story, your unique experiences, your risks, your needs, and help to understand your therapeutic goals. At times this may include attempts at understanding the influence of the minority stress model (MSM) on your mood and behavioral health. The MSM concludes the impact of gender/sexuality discrimination within families, neighborhoods, societies can lead to mood, behavioral, and wellness challenges not simply because of their gender/sexuality.

SOGIA therapists provide sexual orientation and gender affirming sex positive counseling. We share in the belief that there is nothing inherently wrong with your sexual orientation, consensual sexual needs/desires (i.e., Kink affirming), or gender expression/identity. We provide a safe environment for all our 2SLGBTQIA+ clients and are prepared to address the complexities facing our clients. Indeed, our providers have had specialized training in kink and BDSM sexuality and affirm that these are healthy consensual sexual expressions.

We also understand that those who love you may also be going through their own acceptance journey and we provide a safe space for them to process their experience within a supportive nonjudgmental nor pressured therapeutic relationship.

SOGIA therapists have extensive experience and training working with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We understand that some of the common challenges that we tend to provide therapy include:

•Relationships and Dating

•Coming Out

•Self-Esteem

•Living with HIV/AIDS

•Sexual Compulsion

•Sexual/Gender Identity

•Substance Use/Addictions (e.g., smoking cessation, alcoholism)

•Sexuality (e.g., open relationships, BDSM, kink)

•Intimacy Issues

•Dealing with Shame

•Internalized Homophobia

•Internalized Transphobia

•Suicidal Thoughts/Self Harm

Therapy Options:

• Individual Therapy—a provider and client meet one-on-one for most of the therapy sessions and will work together to support goal attainment and identification of the appropriate therapy (e.g., ACT, CBT, DBT). At times a spouse/partner or parents can join a session when needed.

• Relationship/s, Couples, and Family Therapy—a provider meets with the individuals that comprise a romantic relationship to support the couple/throuple or those within a family that can include parents/caregivers and the youth/children in combination. Providers will support the clients in understanding how the relationship and individual needs can impact communication, intimacy, compliance, and other challenges.

• Support Group Therapy—SOGIA offers many support groups throughout the year on different topics that range from a focus on gender identity/expression (transitions group, elder gender group) to sexuality (gay men’s group). Groups comprise of both lessons provided by the therapist who facilitates the group and support where group members are encouraged to share and gain support from others. NOTE: These groups are donation-based and do not have a fee.

• Group Therapy—SOGIA offers various evidence-based manualized skills-based groups on a rolling-basis (people can join the group at different times). While providing support to each other is an important element to skills groups, these groups are psychoeducational and have more of a “class” feel than support groups. The focus of the group is to facilitate the learning and practice of skills. NOTE: These groups are fee-based and dependent on the group have a set fee per group session (e.g., $100 to $150 per group meeting).

Groups topics include:

• Smoking Cessation

• DBT Skills Group

• CPT for PTSD

Resources:

2SLGBTQIA+ web/online safety website