More About Finding a Gay Therapist

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.