How to Find an LGBTQIA-Affirming Therapist
The provider consulted for this article on finding an LGBTQIA+-affirming therapist is Samantha Kemp Carlin (they/she), MS, LMHC, NCCS, ACS, and Outpatient Therapist in Ankeny, Iowa.
Finding a therapist who understands your lived experience is one of the most helpful things you can do for your mental health. It can strengthen the therapeutic relationship, build much-needed trust early on, and help you feel comfortable and ready to open up.
However, if you're a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, finding a therapist who understands and affirms you can be challenging. In this article, we’ll share an LGBTQIA+ therapist’s insights on the importance of finding an affirming therapist, how to find one, and more.
Related: LGBTQ+ Community And How to Offer Support
Why It’s Important to Find an LGBTQIA-Affirming Therapist
If you or your loved one is part of the LGBTQIA+ community, you may be wondering why finding an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist is so important to them. As Licensed Therapist Samantha Kemp Carlin (they/she) explains, it’s about being able to be yourself in a session with your therapist. They say:
“Therapy should be a place where people can show up fully without having to edit themselves, explain their identity, or wonder if they’ll be judged. That’s especially important for LGBTQIA+ folks, who often face extra layers of stress from things like discrimination, family rejection, or having to navigate systems that weren’t built with them in mind.”
Samantha explains that affirming care goes beyond simply being “okay” with someone’s identity. It includes a deep understanding of their lived experiences. “Affirming care means understanding how LGBTQIA+ folks’ lived experiences impact their mental health, holding space for exploration and healing, and showing up in ways that are respectful, informed, and supportive.”
They say that an LGBTQIA+-affirming therapist is one of the best ways to ensure that your loved one is seen, heard, and valued as their whole self.
Related: Is Online Therapy Effective? What Research Shows
How to Know if Your Therapist is LAffirming
If you’re wondering how to know if a provider is affirming, Samantha says it should be clear from the start. “An affirming therapist will usually name their experience with LGBTQIA+ clients directly,” they say.
They encourage you to look for language that includes terms like “queer,” “trans,” or “nonbinary.” They may also include their pronouns, mention gender-affirming care, or speak to issues like coming out, family dynamics, navigating oppression, or supporting transgender youth.
And if their profile is vague, Samantha says it’s okay to ask them for more information. “It’s completely reasonable to ask if they could share a bit about their experience working with LGBTQIA+ folks. Any affirming therapist should welcome it.”
Related: Trauma Responses: 4 Ways Your Body Responds to Abuse
What if Your Therapist Isn’t Affirming?
According to Samantha, this can be a challenging situation. "When a therapist isn't affirming, it can make the therapeutic space feel unsafe or invalidating," they explain.
While some therapists may be open to feedback and willing to learn, Samantha emphasizes that clients shouldn't bear this burden. "No one should have to educate their therapist on basic identity issues. Especially when it comes to something as personal and vulnerable as mental health."
If you find yourself in this situation, remember that it's completely acceptable to seek out another therapist. As Samantha puts it: "Everyone deserves care that affirms who they are, without caveats or conditions."
LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapists at Nystrom & Associates
At Nystrom & Associates, we require our providers who want to work with the LGBTQIA+ community to complete LGBTQIA+ training. Our LGBTQIA+ Workgroup - most of whose members are also part of the LGBTQIA+ community - designed these training courses.
Our providers also write gender-affirming surgery letters, lead LGBTQIA+ support groups, and more.
We also provide comprehensive online mental health services including counseling, psychiatry, and substance use disorder treatment. Our team of licensed professionals offers evidence-based care tailored to your individual needs. With telehealth, we're able to literally meet you where you’re at.
Get Started Today
Whether you're experiencing LGBTQIA+-specific concerns, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, or other mental health concerns, support is available. Our caring professionals work with you to develop personalized treatment plans that address your specific situations and goals.
Call 1-844-NYSTROM or request an appointment online to get help today!
