Why Every Therapist Should Prioritize LGBTQIA+ Consultation
By Alex Regalado
Sitting in silence, I was listening as one of my clients told me they had been receiving threats from members of their community due to being openly a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. As they became increasingly tearful, I became increasingly quiet, holding space for the tumultuous waves of emotion from my client.
Initially fearful, their tears gave way to anger (and back again) and I found myself grasping at straws. What could I say? What is there to say? And who am I to say anything as they read off the notes that had been shoved in their mailbox and tacked to their front door.
I was at a loss for words.
It was not until a consultation with some peers that I heard what I needed to hear. In a more eloquent moment of vulnerability and power (and with their permission for me to share with others), my peers emphasized that we, as clinicians are living through moments in time that words were never designed to capture.
We, as therapists and counselors, were not trained to have words for every emotion or a solution to every problem. Therapists are trained to exist in discomfort and if that means being without words, then so be it. We may not need words to fully sit in these moments of pain and allow the emotions to safely lap against us. All we may need is to be human and to help someone feel accepted and safe.
Commitment to Affirming Care
Providing meaningful and affirming mental health care to the LGBTQIA+ community is not just about checking a box or attending a single “cultural competency” workshop. It’s about embracing an ongoing commitment to understanding the community’s rich history, honoring its resilience, and acknowledging the very real challenges and violence its members continue to face. If we, as mental health professionals, fail to recognize and address these factors in our work, we risk perpetuating the very harm we aim to heal.
One powerful way to deepen our competence is through LGBTQIA+ consultation. By engaging with a clinical consultation community focused on prioritizing the needs of LGBTQIA+ folx, we ensure that our interventions remain not only relevant but protective and empowering. Below, we explore why this consultation should be a priority for every mental health professional committed to inclusive practice.
A Legacy of LGBTQIA+ Hardships and Resilience
The LGBTQIA+ community has an extensive history of systemic discrimination and interpersonal violence. Legislative whiplash and invalidation, social ostracism, and hate crimes have shaped lived experiences for many in this community. Though societal attitudes may have evolved in some areas, the burden of historical trauma is still acutely felt. This legacy continues to manifest in mental health struggles, from heightened stress and anxiety to depression and suicidal ideation.
Historical Violence of the LGBTQIA+ Community
From the Stonewall Riots in 1969 to ongoing battles for legal protections today, LGBTQIA+ activism has been fueled by a need to resist oppression and fight for basic rights. As therapists, being aware of this context is crucial when addressing issues like systemic discrimination and internalized homophobia or transphobia.
Community and Interpersonal Violence
Despite progress in public awareness, many LGBTQIA+ individuals still face family rejection, bullying, workplace discrimination, and murder. Understanding these realities help therapists avoid dismissing, assuming, or minimizing the fears and anxieties that clients bring into therapy.
The Imperative for Inclusive Practice
Affirming mental health support can literally be lifesaving for LGBTQIA+ clients. Unfortunately, our care is only as good as the clinicians who deliver it. Our most effective interventions with this community must be grounded in a thorough understanding of LGBTQIA+ identities, histories, and current struggles.
Validation
LGBTQIA+ individuals often grapple with invalidation from society. Therapists who seek LGBTQIA+ consultation can learn nuanced ways to validate each client’s identity and experiences, offering a therapeutic space where clients feel genuinely seen and heard. As I was made acutely aware of in my own consultation, validation can be multidimensional and does not even require language to express.
Protection and Safety
In a climate where LGBTQIA+ rights are frequently under scrutiny and attack, therapists play a protective role by advocating for client welfare. This might involve writing letters for gender-affirming treatments, supporting clients through legal processes, or simply acting as a steadfast ally. In addition, our clients deserve to feel safe. This may act as learning how to facilitate accepting and safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Empowerment for LGBTQIA+ Clients
Beyond treatment plans and symptom management, therapy for LGBTQIA+ clients often revolves around issues of empowerment—affirming one’s identity, building self-advocacy skills, and fostering resilience against societal stressors.
Consultation as a Tool for Growth, Change, and Allyship
Learning about inclusive practice does not develop in isolation. Even the most experienced clinicians benefit from the support of a clinical consultation community that prioritizes LGBTQIA+ well-being. Here’s why:
- Up-to-Date Best Practices
Therapeutic interventions evolve in response to new research, shifting cultural norms, and changes in legislation. Regular LGBTQIA+ consultation sessions help therapists like you stay current with best practices. That can include language use as well as recommended interventions that effectively address the unique stresses LGBTQIA+ clients face. - Peer Support and Accountability
Consultation offers more than expert advice. It connects you with peers who share a commitment to inclusive practice, providing an avenue for ongoing dialogue and mutual accountability. You can openly discuss challenges, successes, and areas for improvement, strengthening your clinical skill set through collective insight. - Refining Cultural Awareness
Cultural awareness is never a one-time achievement—it’s a continuous journey. In consultation, you can examine your own biases, ask questions without judgment, and refine your understanding of the diverse identities within the LGBTQIA+ community. This reflective process ensures you’re not just “welcoming” but truly affirming. - Empowerment for Clinicians
Working with clients who experience chronic discrimination can take an emotional toll. By leaning on a supportive consultation network, you’re not only protecting your clients but also safeguarding your own mental health. This sense of community strengthens your resolve to advocate for and uphold LGBTQIA+ clients’ rights.
Last Thoughts
The mental health challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals are not isolated incidents—they’re rooted in a history of marginalization, amplified by current legislative and social threats. If therapists are not a part of this community, you can rapidly feel lost when attempting to carve out safe and nonjudgmental spaces.
As therapists, we have a responsibility to provide not only competent but also transformative care. By prioritizing LGBTQIA+ consultation as part of our ongoing professional development, we acknowledge the complex realities our clients face, refine our skills to meet those needs, and stand as allies in the broader fight for LGBTQIA+ well-being and safety.
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Author Bio
Alex Regalado is a psychotherapist who specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and other skills! He has experience working in community mental health, hospital settings, crisis centers, and private practice. Follow Firelight Supervision on Instagram and Facebook.
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