LGBTQIA+ Therapy

CBT helps clients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. For LGBTQIA+ individuals, CBT can address many community specific issues such as internalized shame or homophobia, transphobia, or anxiety related to coming out and living openly. Research shows that CBT is effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, with 50-75% of clients experiencing significant improvement (APA, 2020). It’s particularly valuable for building self-acceptance and coping with stressors.

DBT focuses on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT can help LGBTQIA+ clients manage the intense emotions that often arise from every day life like relationships or stress or more extreme experiences like discrimination or rejection. Studies show that DBT greatly reduces self-harm urges and suicidal ideation, which are disproportionately high in LGBTQIA+ populations (NIMH, 2021). It’s a powerful tool for building resilience, improving relationships, and building a life worth living.

ACT encourages clients to accept their thoughts and feelings while committing to actions aligned with their values. ACT can specifically address common LGBTQIA+ community issues such as navigating or exploring identity, societal pressures, and self-acceptance. Research indicates that ACT improves psychological flexibility and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression, making it a valuable approach for living authentically (Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 2019).

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is a specialized trauma therapy that can help clients process and heal from traumatic experiences. Many members of the LGBTQIA+ community have experienced multiple forms of trauma including discrimination, violence, or fallout with family and friends due to their identity. EMDR can be a powerful tool to address many types of trauma, and it can help clients reclaim a sense of control over their lives and move past their traumatic past. Studies show that 77% of clients experience significant symptom reduction after just 6-8 sessions (EMDRIA, 2020).

Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) helps clients to better understand and transform their emotional responses to improve relationships, their inner life, and their lives. For LGBTQIA+ clients, EFT can address challenges like communication and intimacy in relationships, extreme or upsetting emotions from daily life, or navigating societal pressures or cultural challenges. Research shows that EFT improves relationship satisfaction in 70-75% of couples (ICEEFT, 2021). It’s a powerful approach for building stronger, more connected relationships and ourselves.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) combines mindfulness practices with cognitive therapy to prevent relapse of chronic mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety are significantly more prevalent in the LGBTQIA+ community compared to heterosexual and cisgender people, and MBCT can be a powerful tool to help LGBTQIA+ clients work through and resolve these challenges. Studies show that MBCT reduces relapse rates by 43% in individuals with recurrent depression (Oxford Mindfulness Centre, 2020). It’s a valuable tool for fostering self-compassion and emotional balance for years to come.

CPT is a very powerful trauma therapy that helps clients challenge and reframe negative beliefs about their lives and experiences. For LGBTQIA+ individuals, CPT can address many different kinds of trauma including relationship trauma, accidents or major injuries, or even bullying or violence. Research shows that CPT significantly reduces PTSD symptoms in 80% of clients (APA, 2021). Research shows that CPT is particularly effective for reclaiming a sense of safety and control.

Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERPT) is used to treat OCD, phobias and extreme fears, and anxiety by gradually exposing clients to situations while preventing compulsive responses. Research shows that LGBTQIA+ individuals often have higher rates of OCD and anxiety than general populations, and clinical studies show that ERPT reduces OCD symptoms in 60-80% of clients (IOCDF, 2020). It’s a powerful approach for breaking free from fear and shame.

Family therapy helps LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families navigate many different kinds of issues from family conflicts, parenting issues, or improve communication between family members. Research shows that family support reduces the risk of depression and suicide in LGBTQIA+ youth by 40% (Trevor Project, 2021). It’s a vital approach for fostering understanding and strengthening family bonds.

Marriage and relationship therapy addresses both the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ couples as well as common issues all couples face such as communication, intimacy, or figuring out how to raise a family. Studies show that couples therapy improves relationship satisfaction in 70% of cases (AAMFT, 2020). It’s a valuable tool for building stronger, more resilient partnerships.

GearingUP offers many different kinds of trauma therapy to address how devastating and life changing trauma can be on a person’s mental health. Some studies estimate that LGBTQIA+ people experience trauma at over 10 times the rate of their heterosexual cisgender peers. Trauma-informed care provides a safe space to heal and rebuild trust for LGBTQIA+ clients. Research shows that trauma therapy reduces PTSD symptoms in 75% of clients (NCTSN, 2021). It’s essential to restore emotional well-being and a sense of safety so that you can build a life worth living.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) helps clients confront and process traumatic memories to reduce their emotional impact. Since LGBTQIA+ clients report significantly higher rates of trauma that heterosexual cisgender people, effective trauma treatment is extremely important to address any mental health concerns. Studies show that Prolonged Exposure Therapy reduced PTSD symptoms in over 80% of clients (APA, 2021), and it is commonly considered one of the most powerful approaches for treating trauma issues.

Mindfulness-based therapies prominently feature mindfulness practices to reduce stress and improve emotional regulation. Research has proven that mindfulness is an extremely powerful tool for managing emotions, relieving stress, and restoring a sense of balance to life. Clinical studies shows that mindfulness reduces anxiety and depression symptoms by 30-40% (Mindful, 2020). It’s a valuable tool for anyone looking to foster inner peace and improve wellbeing including LGBTQIA+ clients!

These therapies use creative methods (e.g., art, music, drama) to help LGBTQIA+ clients express emotions and explore their identities. Studies show that art therapy improves emotional well-being in 70% of participants (American Art Therapy Association, 2021). It’s particularly effective for those who prefer more creative, tactile, or nonverbal forms of therapy and expression.

Intersectional therapy explores how multiple identities (e.g., race, gender, sexuality, etc.) in society and culture can impact our mental health. For LGBTQIA+ clients, it provides a holistic approach to understanding and addressing their unique challenges and gives them tools to address and resolve these issues. Research shows that intersectional therapy improves self-esteem and reduces stress particularly for groups of people who face discrimination or identity related stress (Journal of Counseling Psychology, 2020). It’s essential for fostering a sense of wholeness and belonging while also celebrating who you are in the world.

Internalized Oppression Therapy helps LGBTQIA+ individuals recognize and challenge internalized homophobia, transphobia, or other forms of self-directed stigma that arise from societal discrimination, cultural conditioning, and other sources. This therapy focuses on unpacking negative beliefs about one’s identity and replacing them with new skills to build self-acceptance and empowerment. Research shows that addressing internalized oppression significantly improves self-esteem and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression in LGBTQIA+ individuals (Journal of Homosexuality, 2020). It’s a vital approach for fostering self-love and resilience in the face of societal pressures.