Philadelphia LGBTQ Counseling

LGBTQ Competent Therapy in Philadelphia, PA—Counselors

Many people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or questioning are enjoying cultural and legal victories that promote their human rights. Celebrities like Ellen have used their platform to encourage understanding and kindness. TV shows like Will & Grace and Modern Family have used humor to raise awareness of the various challenges LGBTQ people face. In the 2018, two openly gay athletes competed in the Pyeongchang, South Korea, and Adam Rippon became the first gay man to medal at a winter Olympics. Despite these victories, much more work needs to be done. Those in the LGBTQ community experience higher rates of marginalization, discrimination, and abuse simply for being themselves. What is the result of this maltreatment? The LGBTQ population also face higher rates of anxiety, depression, and addiction than the straight, cis-gendered population.

“It takes no compromise to give people their rights…
it takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no political deal to give people freedom. It takes no survey to remove repression.” ― Harvey Milk

A bedrock of emotional healthy is freedom to be oneself. That means acknowledging likes and dislikes. That means being honest about strengths and weaknesses. It also means being true to one’s gender and sexuality. People who identify at LGBTQ face particular challenges as they seek emotional health and freedom. That is one of the many reasons Thriveworks Philadelphia offers LGBTQ competent therapy. We know that our LGBTQ clients face unique challenges, and we are ready to help them as they fight again repression and fight for freedom.

LGBTQ Sensitive Counseling

It is not always easy to live in self-acceptance and freedom. Family and friends may or may not be supportive. Internal conflict and confusion can cause significant anxiety. These challenges are difficult but normal. Everyone needs a safe space where they can face these challenges with honesty and with support. For many, that safe space is therapy. Skilled mental health professionals create an environment where their clients do not feel judged or shamed. Instead, they can dream, question, remember, speak, and plan. Instead, their self-awareness and self-acceptance can grow. Such an environment is particularly important for clients who identify as LGBTQ as they often face extra roadblocks on their healing journey.

Many untrue and unfair stigmas still plague many in the LGBTQ community, and these stigmas exact a psychological and emotional price. What is the real-world impact of that toll? Consider these grievous realities:

  • The cis-gendered and straight population has a substance abuse rate of 9 percent, but the LGBTQ population’s substance abuse rate is 30 percent.
  • LGBTQ youth, ages 10-24 face more fear, prejudice, hatred, and bulling in their homes and in their schools than their cis-gendered and straight peers.
  • LGBTQ people are diagnosed with mental illness at twice the rate of others.
  • Many LGBTQ people report experience a heightened anxiety called “minority stress.” This often results from facing family rejection, social exclusion, the denial of human rights, harassment, prejudice, and abuse.
  • A lead cause of death for LGBTQ youth is suicide.

As sobering as these realities are, they only tell half the story. The LGBTQ also faces a dual-stigma: those who often need mental health care the most may have the hardest time finding a competent therapist. The American Psychological Association officially defined homosexuality as a pathology up until 1973. Even though the definition has changed, many therapists are not informed or accepting of the care LGBTQ clients need.

What does it look like for mental health professionals to offer LGBTQ competent care? How can individuals ensure their therapist will respect their gender and sexual orientation? Here are a few tips for choosing a therapist.

  • When calling to schedule an appointment, ask about the counselor’s experience with LGBTQ clients. It is okay to request past examples.
  • Listen to your intuition. If you feel comfortable, schedule an appointment. If at any point, you do not feel comfortable, move onto another therapist.
  • During your appointment, let your counselor know that LGBTQ sensitive therapy is important to you.
  • During treatment, disclosure whatever you feel safe disclosing about your sexual orientation and gender.
  • During treatment, disclose whatever you feel safe disclosing about past traumas and current mental health struggles you are experiencing.
  • There is no right or wrong topic for therapy. Many people choose to discuss topics like…
    • Gender and sexual identity
    • Safety concerns
    • Healthy communication
    • Dealing with discrimination and non-acceptance
    • How and when to come out
    • Dating and other relationships
    • Family concerns
    • Transcending gender roles
    • Addiction
    • Eating disorders
    • Depression
    • Anxiety and stress
    • Self-esteem issues
    • Past trauma and abuse

Setting Up an Appointment at Thriveworks Philadelphia for LGBTQ Informed Counseling

Are you considering reaching out and meeting with a therapist? Do you want to work with a mental health professional who offers LGBTQ competent care? If you are ready to start counseling, the professionals at Thriveworks Philadelphia are ready to meet with you. When you contact our office, a scheduling specialist will answer your call and help you make an appointment. We do not have voicemail. We also do not put our customers on a waitlist. You may have your first appointment within 24 hours of your first call. We offer evening and weekend sessions, and we accept many different insurance plans. Life is hard. Scheduling therapy should not be. Let’s work together. Call Thriveworks Philadelphia today.

Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

People Love Our Providers!

Overall Rating: 5★★★★★ based on 21 5 1 21 reviews. See all reviews
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

Happy

★★★★★
I look forward to speaking with Kameil each week . She's such a helpful & caring therapist & I'm happy she's accompanying me on my journey.
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

Great clinicians!

★★★★★
Tim Sosin is an exceptional clinician to work with and serve you. As someone that has worked with Tim, I can attest to his commitment to serving his clients. He works diligently to learn and become competent about evidence based and top notch approaches that insure the highest quality of care. Tim has a welcoming empathy that is expressed to all, and helps you feel all the more comfortable as you approach the counseling process. He willing comes alongside of you in your journey. Tim collaborates well with others, as being a trust source of knowledge. I have learned specifically about the EMDR modality from Tim, and have been encouraged by his passion about this approach. I whole heartedly trust recommend entrusting clients to work with and be treated by Tim. He is simply exceptional is his devotion to high quality care!
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

Book with Lavonda!

★★★★★
Lavonda is a great therapist - very patient and kind.
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

Council

★★★★★
I going to thrive works since March of 2018 I first I was like I am not sure if therapy was for me or not I use to go when I was a teenage so it’s been a while so I have my first session with Laura she was very laid back and easy to talk to she was like mother figure someone I can talk every thing went well until end of October of 2018 when she resign from Thriveworks I was sad cause I couldn’t see her no more but now I am see Jeanette Frye, she is very nice and helpful person at first I was really shy to talk to her cause I was like oh great a new therapist but as time went on I was able to open up and connect with Jeanette and she tell her what I needed help or how was I feeling
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

I am very happy meeting with Alan Goldberg.

★★★★★
I am very happy meeting with Alan Goldberg. The location is very convenient as well. I am comfortable speaking about all topics I desire
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

Abraham is very attentive

★★★★★
So far Abraham is very attentive and I am already feeling better and feel more in control of my life even after just three sessions. He has suggested I read a book and has helped me monitor my day which has been especially helpful
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

The best…

★★★★★
The best...
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

So far so good

★★★★★
So far so good
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

Great experience with individual therapy

★★★★☆
Great experience with individual therapy, but had a tough time scheduling couples therapy.
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

👍🏼

★★★★★
👍🏼
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

Thriveworks has been very accommodating in terms of scheduling

★★★★★
Thriveworks has been very accommodating in terms of scheduling and allowing me to meet with someone who fits my style of therapy. Based on seeing Mary and having her explain her style of therapy that address the foundation of particular issues, I’m very optimistic about a bright future!
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

Happy with how welcoming and supportive the group is

★★★★★
My comments may be limited to Mary specifically, but my onboarding and scheduling process was seamless. While relatively early on, I only have positive things to say. I’m very happy with how welcoming and supportive the group is. While waiting for my first session I was also greeted by another counselor to make sure that I was taken care of. The only point I would recommend improving about the process is ensuring the initial three months is automated from the date of first appointment and not the date of scheduling the first appointment. The latter may be significantly before the first session.
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

They made me feel very comfortable.

★★★★★
They made me feel very comfortable. I look forward to more sessions.
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

A nurturing team for couples and individual therapy.

★★★★★
A nurturing team for couples and individual therapy.
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

I loved my first appointment.

★★★★★
I loved my first appointment. Everything was on time and easy and I’m looking forward to being a part of a therapy plan in the coming months.
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

Natalie was awesome

★★★★★
Natalie was awesome and I felt very comfortable during my intake. I think she and I are going to work very well as therapist and client.
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

Great experience

★★★★★
Great experience
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

Natalie was great.

★★★★★
Natalie was great. She made me feel welcome and hopeful.
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

Easy to set up appointment

★★★★★
Easy to set up appointment and so far so good
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

The therapist I worked with

★★★★★
The therapist I worked with (Natalie) was very welcoming and attentive during our session. I feel that she understood the concerns I have been experiencing and communicated them back to me very effectively.
Thriveworks Counseling Philadelphia (Walnut St.)

Great non-judgemental environment.

★★★★★
Great non-judgemental environment.
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Thriveworks Counseling

Schedule your first appointment with a Thriveworks Counselor or Life Coach!

  • 1518 Walnut St
    Philadelphia, PA 19102

  • Mon-Fri:7AM-9:30PM
    Saturday:7AM-6PM
    Sunday:8AM-5PM

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