In the face of adversity and discrimination, the LGBTQ+ community has been and continues to be a source of strength and resilience. But even the strongest of us need a hand sometimes.

Key Takeaways:

• Members of the LGBTQ+ community have a unique set of mental health challenges that are often overlooked.
• A growing number of therapists are choosing to specialize in this area.
• There is LGBTQ+ therapy available in Austin for those who need it.

The LGBTQ+ community faces many of the same mental health concerns as the general population, but they also have a set of unique challenges that other communities don’t. 

When compared to other places, the Austin community is pretty good at tackling and working to eliminate these problems. Yet much remains to be accomplished.  

In this article, we’ll cover some tips and resources for LGBTQ+ mental health in Austin, so you can get the support you deserve.

Read about Austin LGBTQ+ mental health on this page:

Mental Health Risk Factors in the LGBTQ+ Community

How To Find an LGBTQ+ Therapist in Austin

Can LGBTQ counseling services really help me?

Is there LGBTQ therapy for relationships?

LGBTQ Mental Health Services In Austin: Williamsburg Therapy Group

Mental Health Risk Factors in the LGBTQ+ Community

Risk factors are things about a person's background that can make them more or less likely to get certain diseases.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community have several risk factors in regards to mental health that therapists and the Austin community take seriously.

Discrimination

Discrimination is a major risk factor for mental health issues in the LGBTQ+ community. Studies have found that LGBTQ+ individuals who experience discrimination are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

Discrimination can take many forms, such as: 

• Direct verbal or physical abuse
• Being excluded from social activities or refused service at a business
• Being barred from positions of influence in their community
• Differences in legal rights

Discrimination affects many marginalized groups, so it's important that mental health professionals not only work to eliminate it but also provide support in the meantime.

Social Stigma

Social stigma is when people in a community have negative thoughts and ideas about a certain group of people in that community. It can have serious implications for the mental health of the LGBTQ+ community.

Stigma is particularly hurtful because it can come from your community or social network at large—people you may consider friends and family.

It can lead to feelings of isolation, shame, and guilt, which can contribute to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Other Risk Factors for LGBTQ+ Mental Health

Apart from discrimination and social stigma, there are other things that may put people in the LGBTQ+ community at risk for mental health problems, including:

• A lack of family or community support
• Feeling disconnected from one’s chosen gender identity
• Having difficulty accessing health care and other services

Because of this wide array of risk factors for mental health conditions, many members of the LGBTQ+ community find that they benefit from a mental health service like talk therapy.

Finding an LGBTQ+ therapist in Austin starts with doing research and determining the parameters for your ideal therapist.

How To Find an LGBTQ+ Therapist in Austin

It is important to remember that resources are available to help members of the LGBTQ+ community get the care they need.

Below are some tips for seeking professional mental health help as a member of the LGBTQ+ community here in Austin. 

Define Your Ideal Therapist

Start by defining some traits that you think you may want in your therapist:

• Do you want them to be a member of the LGBTQ community?
• Do you have a preferred therapist gender?
• Do you need accessibility services like accommodations for chronic pain or hearing impairment?
• Do you have a preferred therapist age?

Most therapy offices are happy to accommodate all of these and more. Their job is to establish a solid foundation for support.

Once you have a rough idea of the kind of person you want as your therapist, you can start searching for them. Check Google, local listings, and ads for therapy offices, and check each one’s website to see if they staff a therapist that fits your parameters 

It can be helpful to read reviews from other members of the LGBTQ+ community or to contact a local LGBTQ+ advocacy group for more information. 

Find a Therapist Who Specializes in LGBTQ+ Issues

There are a lot of mental health professionals who focus on LGBTQ+ issues and are well-equipped to help in a caring and effective way.

Because Austin is more cognizant than many other communities when it comes to LGBTQ+ issues, there are actually many therapists in the area who specifically look to serve the LGBTQ community.

For example, here at Williamsburg Therapy Group’s Austin location, Dr. Brian Trager has distinguished himself in his ability to support the mental health of Austin’s queer community.

With some light searching, you should be able to find a therapist that matches most or all of your parameters and who is knowledgeable and specialized in LGBTQ+ mental health.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Ask questions and ensure you feel comfortable with your provider before beginning treatment. Consider asking them about their experience working with members of the LGBTQ+ community and any advice they have for getting the conversation going in a productive way.

Part of your therapist’s job is to build rapport with you as well as lay the foundation for safe and productive healing. Answering your questions is a very efficient way for them to start this process, so don't hesitate to ask.

Can LGBTQ counseling services really help me?

Evidence-based talk therapy has been shown in studies to help approximately 75% of the people who actively particpate.

There are many reasons why you might decide to choose LGBTQ+ therapy, including:

• Gender identity concerns
• Family issues
• Self-acceptance issues
• Problems with personal relationships
• Processing the journey of coming out
• Questions about sexual orientation
• Sex and dating concerns within the community

In short, anything that you feel might be improved by talking through it with someone trained to do so can be a valid reason to try therapy.

Benefits of LGBTQ Counseling

LGBTQ therapy is a great place to start if you want to improve something about yourself or how you relate to the world around you.

There are many benefits to LGBTQ therapy, which can vary depending on your reason for going:

• A stronger personal identity
• Confidence in your body
• Better communication with your family
• Healthier thought processes in general

Most patients begin to see improvement after between 3 and 6 months of sessions, but remember that it is totally normal to see results way later, or way earlier, than this range. Therapy is a highly individualized process, so it has highly individualized results.

So long as you trust your therapist and keep an open mind, there is a reasonably high chance that you'll see results.

Gender Identity Therapy In Austin

Gender identity therapy exists as a subfield within LGBTQ+ therapy. This specialized therapy is designed for those struggling with any aspect of their gender, such as:

• A transwoman seeking advice on socializing within her gender
• A cisgender man who feels generally uncomfortable with his masculinity
• A person nervous about undergoing gender-confirming surgery
• A person who does not feel they fit into the normalized gender binary, and wants guidance on how to navigate their identity

The trans community experiences another layer of unique challenges apart from the rest of the LGBTQ+ community, and therapy can be a great way to address them.

Is there LGBTQ therapy for relationships?

Yes, definitely! Even though gay and lesbian couples can benefit from general couples therapy, many choose to see a therapist who specializes in working with LGBTQ people.

Some homosexual couples feel that an LGBTQ-informed therapist may be better at addressing their specific concerns, since they may have more insight into the nuance of their relationship than, for example, a general couples therapist

Most therapy practices will be happy to refer you to a couple’s therapist that specializes in LGBTQ+ relationships, so don’t hesitate to ask if that’s what you prefer.

LGBTQ Mental Health Services In Austin: Williamsburg Therapy Group

Williamsburg Therapy Group offers LGBTQ+ therapy services in the Austin area, no matter your concern. Several members of our staff of doctoral-level therapists are informed on LGBTQ+ issues, and many of them are members of the community as well.

Schedule an appointment today or get in touch by phone to be matched with an LGBTQ+ therapist near you.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Brian Trager, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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