What Does It Mean to Be Queer-Inclusive in Therapy?
Queer-inclusive therapy is more than just being open to LGBTQ+ clients. It’s about actively addressing the specific needs, challenges, and strengths of people across the spectrum of gender and sexual identities. This approach recognizes that identity and mental health are deeply connected, and it celebrates the diversity of each person’s journey.
This leads us to the idea of ‘queering psychotherapy’, which is all about questioning traditional norms in therapy.
With this in mind, we strive to:
- Challenge heteronormativity
Making the therapy context a safe space free of normative assumptions. - Embrace intersectionality
Your identity is multifaceted, shaped by intersections of race, culture, socioeconomic background, ability, and more. Queer-inclusive therapy takes into account the richness of your experiences and how they interact with your mental health. - Empower self-definition.
Rather than imposing labels or frameworks, we prioritize your power to define yourself on your own terms, making sure you feel seen.
The benefits of a queer-inclusive practice
1. Addressing Unique Challenges
LGBTQ+ individuals often face unique stressors, including discrimination, rejection, and internalized stigma, that can profoundly impact mental health. A LGBTQ+ affirmative approach recognizes these realities and creates a safe space to explore them without judgment.
2. Combating Minority Stress
Minority stress can manifest in anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. Therapy offers tools to navigate and heal from these experiences.
3. Creating Affirming Spaces
A safe space where one feels affirmed and respected in therapy lays the groundwork for meaningful progress.
How to find a queer-inclusive therapist?
Finding a suitable therapist can be a stressful experience, as you may wonder: Will I have to explain myself and teach the therapist about my identity? Will I be judged? For this reason, it’s important to do some more research into different therapists, and look beyond the LGTBQ+ friendly label. It might be important for you that the therapist is queer themselves, in which case, search for someone who has that explicitly stated on their website.
Here’s some additional tips:
1. When exploring the therapist’s website, look for language that signals affirmation: can you find phrases such as inclusivity, intersectionality. Do they have their pronouns on their website? Do they have any information about working with queer people specifically? If yes, that’s usually a good sign.
2. See what their stance on non-normative relationships is, are they curious about non-traditional life paths? If you see mentions of ENM or polyamorous relationships, for example, it’s a good sign that they won’t assume defaults when it comes to your relationships and life choices.
3. Check whether they value collaboration. This is signaled by phrases such as client-centered, collaborative, or integrative, and suggests they will be willing to adapt their approach and check in with you every step of the way.
4. Don’t only rely on the website, but use the first consultation to check for test the fit:
- Do they ask for your pronouns, and use them correctly without hesitation? Do they offer their own without you having to ask?
- Are they comfortable and when you mention queerness and your relationship style? Do they seem educated on these topics?
- Do they use gender-neutral language, such as ‘partner’, rather than boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife? Do they stay curious, rather than making any assumptions?
If you can answer yes to these questions, it’s likely you’re in good hands. Make sure to also listen to your gut feeling, if something ‘feels off’, even if you can’t put a finger on it, it might be worth looking into a different therapist. Additionally, even if you’ve already had a couple of sessions, if something feels off, you are allowed to stop seeing them, if addressing it with them does not feel safe to you – an inclusive therapist should always take your feedback into account.
Queering Therapy Beyond LGBTQ+ Clients
Queering psychotherapy isn’t just for LGBTQ+ individuals—it’s a mindset that benefits everyone. By challenging traditional frameworks, this approach invites all clients to explore their identities and deconstruct societal norms.
For example:
- A cisgender, heterosexual client might explore how traditional expectations of masculinity have affected their mental health.
- A client in a non-traditional relationship structure such as polyamory will find therapy a safe and nonjudgemental space.
Queering therapy promotes inclusivity and awareness across all aspects of life and relationships.
The Path Forward
A queer-inclusive approach to therapy is about more than just creating a safe space—it’s about building a future where everyone can thrive as their authentic selves. At Bloomwave, we’re here to support you, whether you’re navigating the complexities of identity, healing from stigma, or simply looking for a therapist who understands and affirms you.
References
Tilsen, J. (2021). Queering Your Therapy Practice: Queer Theory, Narrative Therapy, and Imagining New Identities
Tilsen, J., & Nylund, D. (2010). Resisting normativity: Queer musings on politics, identity, and the performance of therapy