We live in a society predominantly structured around heteronormative values. “Heteronormative” involves a set of societal views about heterosexuality that refer to heterosexual relationships as the “normal” or superior sexual orientation.
These worldviews cause those who differ from this sexual orientation to be looked down upon. LGBTQ+ individuals often face a battle when it comes to navigating a world that doesn’t affirm their identities and experiences.
It’s important to acknowledge that society has made significant strides in advancing LGBTQ+ rights. There have been landmark legal changes that have led to the legalization of same-sex marriage and anti-discrimination laws that have contributed to the growing acceptance. Yet, despite these positives, there is still substantial work that needs to be done, since discrimination, harassment, and bias persist for 2SLGBTQIA+ community members.
The psychological and physical toll of navigating a world that is based around heteronormative values can lead to heightened levels of depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, and other mental health challenges. This is especially true when we consider intersectionality—the idea that various aspects of a person’s identity, such as race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, disability, and neurotype, intersect and compound experiences of marginalization.
For LGBTQ+ individuals who also identify as a member of another marginalized community, such as neurodivergent, these mental health challenges can be even more pronounced. Given these challenges, it is vital that mental health support acknowledges and affirms your identity while taking into account the unique challenges you face. If you or someone you know is seeking support to navigate these challenges, consider exploring mental health support from LGBTQ+ affirmative therapists.
Together, let’s dive deeper into the 2SLGBTQIA+ acronym, the definition of 2SLGBTQ+ affirming therapy, and the various supports out there to foster authenticity and acceptance.
What Does 2SLGBTQIA+ Mean?
Fortunately, society has come a long way in the awareness and understanding of what it means to be a part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. As the education around this acronym has grown, so has the acceptance of diverse sexual and gender identities.
However, confusion still exists, not only among the general population but also mental health professionals, about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Due to this, it is crucial that all individuals, especially mental health professionals, commit to continuous education and professional development.
Each letter in this evolving acronym represents a unique aspect of identity and a way to foster acceptance. The acronym stands for:
2S: 2-Spirited—A term used by some Indigenous communities to describe a person who embodies both masculine and feminine spirits or has a unique gender identity rooted in Indigenous culture.
L: Lesbian—Referring to women who are emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to other women.
G: Gay—Referring to men who are emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to other men.
B: Bisexual—Representing individuals who are emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to more than one gender.
T: Transgender—Describing people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. This is an umbrella term that can include various gender identities.
Q: Queer/Questioning—"Queer” is an umbrella term that encompasses those who do not adhere to traditional sexual orientations or gender identities, while “Questioning” encompasses individuals who are exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.
I: Intersex—Referring to individuals born with physical or biological differences that don't fit typical definitions of male or female.
A: Asexual/Aromantic/Agender— “Asexual” describes those who experience little or no sexual attraction to others. “Aromantic” refers to those with little to no romantic attraction to others, while “agender” encompasses individuals who do not identify with having a gender. Asexual and aromantic are umbrella terms, and the level of sexual and/or romantic attraction varies across individuals.
+: The plus sign is an umbrella term that signifies the inclusion of infinite sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions that are not covered by the acronym.
At the basic level, the 2SLGBTQIA+ acronym is an umbrella term that refers to anyone who doesn’t identify with cis heteronormativity. The rapid evolution of language makes it essential for mental health practitioners to stay informed and open to learning about the nuances of these identities. Misunderstandings or outdated perspectives can hinder the therapeutic process, potentially leading to feelings of invalidation or alienation for clients seeking support.
Neuroqueer Explained
Neuroqueer refers to the intersection between neurodivergence, such as ADHD, autism, and cognitive differences with queer identities.
Research indicates that neurodivergent individuals are much more likely to identify as LGBTQ+ or neuroqueer. A study from the University of Cambridge found that autistic people are three times as likely to identify as trans (Elizabeth Weir et al., 2021). Moreover, neurodivergent individuals are eight times more likely to identify as asexual (Elizabeth Weir et al., 2021).
There may be several factors that contribute to this connection.
Firstly, both neurodivergence and LGBTQ+ identities challenge societal views.
Neurodivergent individuals are more likely to think outside conventional frameworks of being and explore their sexual and/or gender identity.
Additionally, the shared experience of discrimination between neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ individuals fosters a sense of community. Together, neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ individuals contribute to society with diverse experiences, identities, and perspectives.
2SLGBTQIA+ Challenges Explored in Therapy
LGBTQ+ individuals face several challenges that can be categorized as human issues and those that are unique to LGBTQ+ identities.
Like many people, LGBTQ+ individuals search for a "therapist near me" for support with universal challenges such as economic instability, self-discovery, academic challenges, workplace challenges, depressive episodes, and the desire for fulfilling relationships.
However, LGBTQ+ individuals often face unique challenges and barriers specific to this identity. LGBTQ+ phobia can manifest in societal stigma, discrimination, and violence. Individuals may also experience:
Misunderstanding or rejection from loved ones.
Being outed without their consent
Systemic oppression affecting their rights and well-being
Lack of acceptance from society
Battling cycles of societal shame and blame
Trauma related to LGBTQ+ hate and discrimination
Biases from friends, past therapists, or friends
Religious trauma stemming from LGBTQ+ discrimination
Further complicating these challenges is the concept of intersectionality. These varied experiences highlight that challenges differ significantly from person to person, depending on their intersecting identities and societal context. By addressing these challenges in LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
What Is LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy?
As the societal understanding of LGBTQ+ individuals improves, we understand that you cannot change a person’s identity through therapy. LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy is one of the many different therapy modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavioral therapy.
It is a therapeutic approach that supports and validates the identity of 2-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual orientations and gender identities.
Whether you participate in in-person or virtual therapy, unlike traditional therapy approaches that perpetrate heteronormative or cisnormative biases, LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy aims to create a safe, supportive space where clients feel empowered to explore their identities and tackle concurrent mental health challenges.
The affirmation component means that the mental health professional actively seeks to not only affirm the client’s identity but to celebrate who clients are, fostering a sense of empowerment, authenticity, acceptance, and pride in their identity.
A therapist using this framework prioritizes the social, cultural, and historical context of LGBTQ+ experiences, including how systemic oppression contributes to increased mental health challenges.
LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy also aims to create a safe space to explore specific challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, including internalized hatred, social isolation, and discrimination, and provides tailored approaches to address these challenges.
Ultimately, this therapeutic approach is collaborative and has many benefits. The client is viewed as the expert on their own experiences. LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy encourages clients to take the lead toward challenging societal norms and embracing their true selves in a way that feels right for them.
How to Make Your Practice More LGBTQ+ Affirmative
Mental health professionals can adapt various strategies to make your practice LGBTQ+ affirmative.
One essential first step is to create a space where clients feel welcomed and valued. This could involve using inclusive language in your intake forms and promotional material that reflect the various gender and sexual identities.
In addition, here are some other ways to create an LGBTQ+ affirmative practice:
Professional Development: Engage in ongoing education and learning through workshops and training focused on gender identity and sexual orientation. Rainbow Health Ontario creates opportunities for health providers to better serve 2SLGBTQ communities.
Gender-Affirming Language: Ask each client about their pronouns and name and actively use these.
Actively Listening: Validate and affirm clients identities while challenging your own heteronormative and cisnormative biases.
Safe Space Symbols: Display safe space indicators, such as rainbow flags or signs that indicate your practice is LGBTQ+ affirmative.
Intersectionality: Recognize the impact of systemic oppression and the challenges of each client within a broader socioeconomic context.
Media Awareness: Educate yourself on the way the media demonizes 2SLGBTIA+ individuals.
De-pathologizing Queerness: Be mindful of language that pathologized LGBTQ+ experiences and actively work to eliminate it from your vocabulary.
Regular Adjustments: Never expect clients to educate you on their experiences and provide you with feedback, but if a client willingly offers feedback, actively work to make adjustments to your practice based on this.
Crisis Resources: Familiarize yourself with crisis resources within the community that are specific to LGBTQ+ communities.
Client-Centered Goals: Allow clients to guide the therapeutic goals that focus on their unique LGBTQ+ challenges.
Maintain confidentiality: Never give a client’s identity to someone else without consent. If there are safety issues, consider if this is relevant to the situation.
Ongoing Consultation: Consult with other LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent-affirming clinics and encourage clients to engage in LGBTQ+ communities.
Advocacy: Advocate for clients in various contexts, such as work and school, helping them navigate discrimination and biases.
By implementing these strategies, mental health professionals can foster a therapeutic environment that is genuinely affirming, supportive, and empowering for LGBTQ+ clients.
LGBTQ+ Resources
Canada has a wealth of resources for LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. Several of these are listed below:
LGBTQ+ Youthline: Text 647-694-4275 for Ontario-wide peer support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirited, queer, and questioning young people (aged 16 to 29).
Pflag Canada: Pflag helps 2SLGBTQ+ people and their loved ones connect with resources across Canada. They provide peer support, advocacy, and education to create a Canada that respects all sexualities, genders, and gender expressions.
LGBTQ+ Youthline: A national peer support line for LGBTQ+ young people (29 and under) in Canada. They also have a list of resources for LGBTQ+ youth across Canada.
Trans Lifeline: A grassroots hotline and microgrants nonprofit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis. They are for the trans community, by the trans community, and divested from the police.
It Gets Better Canada: A global movement focused on the empowerment of 2SLGBTQ+ youth. The main message is "it gets better." Its mission is to uplift, empower, and connect 2SLGBTQ+ youth across Canada.
Neuroqueer Collective: A community of neurodivergent queer and trans individuals celebrating neurodiversity within the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Lived Experience Educator: Sonny Jane is a trans, multiply neurodivergent & disabled public speaker, advocate, and author. They have built an audience of over 100,000 people online and also wrote The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills and We’re All Neurodiverse.
Neurodivergent Rebel (Lyric Rivera): A trans-nonbinary, autistic, self-advocate who runs the internationally recognized NeuroDivergent Rebel blog. Lyric is also the owner of NeuroDivergent Consulting and the author of the best-selling business ethics book, Workplace NeuroDiversity Rising.
Related: Mental Health Resources
How Can Bee Kind Counselling Support You?
Bee Kind Counselling is a queer and Indigenous-owned business founded by Bre Traverse, who understands the unique challenges that LGBTQ+ and Indigenous individuals face.
There are two therapists on the Bee Kind Counselling team who provide LGBTQ-affirmative therapy. An affirming therapist on the team will work with sexually and gender-diverse individuals to reach their mental wellness goals by encouraging the development of a positive identity.
They will provide support—especially during the journey of self-discovery. The therapist will provide a safe space to explore additional issues such as systemic barriers and to navigate the bias and discrimination within the larger society.
Book a Free Consultation With Bee Kind Counselling
Are you a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community seeking an LGBTQ-affirming therapist?
Bee Kind Counselling is well positioned to support you with their team of LGBTQ+ affirmative mental health professionals.
You can book a free 15-minute consultation with an LGBTQ+ therapist by emailing admin@beekindcounselling.com, calling 519-757-7842 ext. 1, or booking through the website below.
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