Today is the day to show support for all of those who have suffered through the torture of being bullied for being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, or just choose to live outside the perceived story of "normal".
It is time to stop the fear, shame, and loss of self-acceptance because somebody else tells you that you are less than. There is no room for that story any more and it is important to speak up when you can, find help when you need it, and love yourself for exactly who you are.
There will always be people out there who want to tell us we are less than, so it is important that we learn to quiet that voice inside ourselves that wants to tear us down. Be strong in who you are knowing that no one has the right to steal your spirit, your light, and your unique gifts that only you can bring to the world.
Pain will pass. Death is permanent.
Reach out before feeling forced into a decision that you can not change.
So what should you look for when choosing a therapist who specializes in LGBT issues, especially for a teenager?
First off, if having a gay therapist is important to you, then you should make sure you find a therapist who is open about his or her own sexual orientation and is willing to openly discuss yours. A gay therapist who is comfortable with their own sexuality will be more open to discuss issues that you may be facing as an LGBT teen exploring issues of coming out and sexuality.
But being gay is not all that one should look for. It is also important to ask questions about the therapist’s education, training, and understanding of the issues that can face LGBT teens. Your therapist should be familiar with issues of sexuality, coming out, internalized homophobia, depression and self-destructive behaviors, as well as more traditional issues like couples, dating, social skills and relationships as they pertain to the LGBT population.
And one final qualification is that the therapist is someone that you can feel comfortable with sharing your stories, fears, hopes, and dreams.
Not all gay therapists will be experts on all of these topics but you want to find the therapist who has the knowledge to address your personal needs.
The question often comes up with gay teens and their families as to whether or not they should see a gay therapist. This is a personal decision that each family needs to make for themselves but as in choosing any therapist it is important to find a professional who has the education, the empathy, and the understanding of your individual needs.
Although there are many gay affirmative and gay friendly therapists, sometimes it is important to find a therapist who is a member of the gay community. The process of therapy is a very personal one and for many people it is vital that the therapist be someone who can directly relate to their life experience.
It's tough enough having to talk to somebody about really personal stuff in therapy, but working with a gay therapist can make the path of discovery a lot easier for gay teens.
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The question often comes up with gay teens and their families as to whether or not they should see a gay therapist. This is a personal decision that each family needs to make for themselves but as in choosing any therapist it is important to find a professional who has the education, the empathy, and the understanding of your individual needs.
Although there are many gay affirmative and gay friendly therapists, sometimes it is important to find a therapist who is a member of the gay community. The process of therapy is a very personal one and for many people it is vital that the therapist be someone who can directly relate to their life experience.
It's tough enough having to talk to somebody about really personal stuff in therapy, but working with a gay therapist can make the path of discovery a lot easier for gay teens.
