LGBTQIA+, Affirming Therapy and Counseling
At Sandia Therapy and Wellness Center in Albuquerque, we proudly offer specialized LGBTQIA+ therapy, providing a safe, affirming space where you can explore your unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Our team includes LGBTQIA+ identified and allied therapists who understand the complexities and sensitivities surrounding gender identity, sexual orientation, and the impacts of living in a society that doesn’t always provide the acceptance everyone deserves. We believe that every individual should feel validated and supported as they navigate the layers of identity and personal growth.
Understanding the Unique Challenges of LGBTQIA+ Individuals
Living authentically as an LGBTQIA+ person brings unique joys and strengths but can also lead to experiences with bias, discrimination, and social isolation. Many LGBTQIA+ individuals face additional mental health challenges stemming from minority stress, fear of rejection, or difficulty in being accepted by family, community, or society. The current political climate can add extra stress, leaving individuals feeling uncertain, anxious, or unsafe. Our therapists are here to support you, listening and offering tools to cope with these unique stressors, empowering you to live fully as yourself.
Affirming Care Tailored to Your Needs
At Sandia Therapy and Wellness Center, we offer therapy for a range of LGBTQIA+ issues, from coming out and family acceptance to addressing internalized biases, body image concerns, relationship dynamics, and resilience in the face of societal discrimination. Our affirming therapists are trained in LGBTQIA+-inclusive care and provide a nonjudgmental, empathetic approach to therapy. We use evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, and mindfulness-based approaches to support you in building self-acceptance, resilience, and empowerment.
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https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/lgbt
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people are more likely to experience certain health-related challenges and disparities. For example, LGBT adolescents are especially at risk for being bullied, which can contribute to them thinking about and dying from suicide or using illegal drugs. School- and family-based interventions can help reduce bullying and violence against LGBT adolescents, address drug use and mental health problems, and improve health.
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Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
Advancing the creation, communication, and application of psychological knowledge on gender identity and sexual orientation to benefit society and improve lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's lives.
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https://www.hrc.org/resources/mental-health-resources-in-the-lgbtq-community
LGBTQ+ youth and adults in the United States face numerous mental health challenges, relative to their cisgender and straight peers.
Recent data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)found that LGBTQ+ adults were over twice as likely as cisgender/straight adults to be diagnosed with depression, and almost three times as likely to have experienced poor mental health over the previous month.
In the 2022 HRC LGBTQ+ Youth Survey, over half of LGBTQ+ youth (age 13-17) screened positive for depression, and two-thirds screened positive for anxiety. In comparison, 42% of high school aged youth nationwide reported persistent feelings of sadness, and only 29% experienced poor mental health.
If you (or an LGBTQ+ person that you know) is experiencing a mental health crisis or is in need of help, you do not have to face this alone.
Too often, false narratives attempt to blame LGBTQ+ people for their own mental health challenges. However, mental health challenges in the LGBTQ+ community can stem from anti-LGBTQ+ stigma, family and peer rejection, homophobic and transphobic hate speech and violence, workplace discrimination, and the rise in anti-LGBTQ+ state legislation, among other factors.
And there are many resources available to help.