Are You Looking For LGBTQIA+ Therapy That Truly Gets You?
Have you been struggling to find a community of people who understand you and have your back?
Are you dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or challenges related to your identity?
Do you want help unpacking the complexities of queer relationships with someone who gets it?
Maybe you’re struggling with the process of coming out, transitioning, or finding your chosen family. Or perhaps you’ve already navigated many of these challenges, and you’re simply looking for a place where you can get real about your life and gain some
honest and insightful feedback. As a result, maybe you’re thinking it’s time to connect with an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist.
Do these struggles of being LGBTQ+ feel familiar?
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Hiding who you really are - Feeling like you have to mask your true self at work, with family, or in everyday life just to feel safe
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Shame and self-doubt about your identity - Carrying negative beliefs about yourself that were shaped by society, religion, or family
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Family rejection or strained relationships - Navigating complicated dynamics with loved ones who don't accept or understand who you are
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Feeling completely alone in your experience - Like nobody truly gets what it's like to be you, and there's nowhere to turn
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Anxiety about coming out or being seen - The constant weight of deciding who gets to know the real you and who doesn't
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Depression and low self-worth - Struggling with your mental health in ways that feel connected to being LGBTQ+ in a world that doesn't always feel safe
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Relationship struggles - Navigating love, intimacy, and partnership while carrying the weight of minority stress
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Feeling like you don't fit anywhere - Not feeling accepted by the world around you, but also feeling pressured to fit neatly into labels within the LGBTQ+ community
How Social And Relational Isolation
Can Take A Toll On Your Emotions
Without a strong sense of safety or support in your life, your emotional and relational challenges can feel much more daunting. You might experience a deep sense of purposelessness and shame, especially if you’re not comfortable being yourself with friends, family, or colleagues.
Perhaps you’re tired of having to “code-switch” in different environments, being
closeted in one context, and fully out in another. It’s like you’re fighting against part of
who you are, having to filter the way you act in separate areas of life.
Even if you are fully out and you have a strong support system, life is still full of
challenges, and that’s why it’s so important to get help. Here at Bright Light Counseling, our therapists specialize in helping LGBTQIA+ folx navigate complex relationship dynamics, painful life transitions, and the general ups and downs of life.
If You’re A Queer Person Struggling With Your Mental Health,
You’re Not Alone
The current political and social climate doesn’t make it easy to be a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Everyday tasks like using a public restroom or finding the right hairstylist can be stressful, especially when you’re afraid to present the way you want to.
The trans community has especially come under attack recently, with legislation barring
gender-affirming care as well as appropriate gender markers on documentation.
Add all of these factors together, and it’s no wonder so many LGBTQIA+ folx are
struggling with their mental health. In fact, queer people are 2.5 times more likely to
suffer from anxiety, depression, and substance abuse than their heterosexual
counterparts.
Now more than ever, our country, and our world, needs compassionate mental health
professionals who will make LGBTQIA+ individuals feel seen, heard, and understood.
The LGBTQIA+ Community Has Always Lifted Each Other Up And Persevered Together
When so many people in this community have been ostracized by their own family for simply being who they are, having the support of others can be vital. Coming out and continuing to live the life you desire in the face of cultural and personal animosity is often a deeply isolating experience, so simply having a therapist who gets what it's like to be queer and provides a safe space can be life-saving.
What’s more, the emphasis on finding your chosen family can make loneliness even harder on queer folx, since there’s a built-in expectation that you’ll find your people. For those who haven’t, it can be incredibly disheartening. That’s why it’s essential for LGBTQIA+ individuals to have a space where they can find community, belonging, and acceptance.
LGBTQIA+ Therapy Can Help You Build Connections That Honor Who You Are
At Bright Light Counseling, we recognize that healing is never one-size-fits-all, which is
why we always personalize our sessions to fit your unique needs and values. Sessions
can focus on:
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Exploring your coming-out journey
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Understanding where you stand with your identity right now
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Working through unhealthy expectations from family or society
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Examining the complexities of queer relationships
At the same time, therapy doesn’t have to solely focus on LGBTQIA+-centered
topics, it can also be a place to explore trauma, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions.
After all, we recognize that what many LGBTQIA+ people want is an affirming therapist who gets it, someone they won’t have to educate on pronouns, queer/sapphic
relationship dynamics, etc. We have therapists who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+
community themselves, and all of us engage in ongoing reflection, education, and
accountability, ensuring that the connections we form with clients honor who they are.
Tailoring Our Approach To LGBTQIA+ Therapy
The two most common interventions we draw from in LGBTQIA+ counseling are
Relational-Cultural Therapy and Self-Compassion Theory.
Coming out can have a huge impact on the relationships around you, so a Relational-Cultural approach can help us explore your connections to the world around you, how they have shifted, and how they can be strengthened or built anew.
Through this practice of deepening vulnerability and self-awareness, you can cultivate authenticity, resilience, and a more affirming relationship with yourself.
Aspects of Self-Compassion Theory can play a key role in this process, providing a framework for dismantling the unhelpful critical voice within you and replacing it with kindness for yourself and the people around you.
Our Counseling Services For Loved Ones Of LGBTQIA+ People
In addition to providing therapy for people who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+
community, Bright Light Counseling is also proud to offer therapy for those who want help supporting a loved one who has recently come out. These sessions can concentrate on:
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Learning new ways to support your loved one in daily life
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Normalizing mixed reactions and a wealth of difficult emotions
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Letting go of old expectations for your loved one
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Processing any hurt that’s taken place in the relationship
Therapy offers a safe space to explore these topics without shame or judgment and at your own pace. Support looks different for everyone, so we always honor cultural, generational, and religious contexts to reinforce curiosity and prioritize humility over perfection.
Ultimately, whether you’re seeking therapy for your own challenges or your relationship with a partner or family member who identifies as queer, we are confident that we can provide the safe, affirming space you need to experience care, understanding, and healing.
You May Have Some Questions About LGBTQIA+ Therapy…
I’ve had bad experiences with therapy before. How will this be different?
This is a common concern from LGBTQIA+ clients, many of whom have experienced
outright hostility and invalidation in therapy as well as basic misunderstandings about
pronouns and gender identity. The good news is that you don’t have to worry about that
here. At Bright Light Counseling Center, we work hard in session to affirm and validate
who you are, and outside of session we’re committed to deepening our understanding
of LGBTQIA+ culture.
How do I know if my therapist will understand my experience?
Some of our therapists identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and we always
strive to pair clients with the counselors whom we feel are the best fit. That said, we
know LGBTQIA+ is not a monolith; everyone’s experiences, beliefs, values, and dreams
are different. If something doesn’t feel right, we welcome those conversations. We take
our own growth seriously, and we’re always looking to learn more and reflect more on
the issues that matter to our clients.
Is my LGBTQIA+ identity the only thing we’ll talk about?
We recognize that being LGBTQIA+ is just one layer of the multifaceted and uniquely
whole person you are. Therapy can focus on what feels most important to you, whether
that’s relationships, life transitions, overall wellness, or anything else. Your therapist will
work with you to clarify your goals and empower you in reaching them, being sure to
honor your identity every step of the way.
I don't have the time or money for therapy.
We understand that time and financial constraints can feel overwhelming. However, investing in therapy for you will help make your life and experiences feel more manageable.
We offer flexible scheduling and online counseling to eliminate commute time, plus we take insurance!
Our Team Of LGBTQIA+ Affirming Counselors
Are Here To Help
You are not alone, and there’s nothing wrong with feeling stuck, confused, or scared. Even if life feels overwhelming, this isn't how it always has to be. With the right support, you can learn to trust yourself, strengthen your sense of self-worth, and move toward
the meaningful life you desire.
Whether you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or anywhere else on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, we encourage you to learn more about our approach to therapy by messaging us through our contact form.
Therapists that Specialize in Therapy for LGBTQIA+ Folx
Serving clients in Chicago, Illinois and Austin, Texas for in person therapy.
Serving clients in Illinois, Texas, Indiana, Wisconsin, Colorado, and Virginia for online therapy.
