Understanding Different Types Of LGBTQ Counseling NY

By Steven Cooper


Individuals looking for guidance related to lifestyle issues often have a hard time knowing where to turn. When it comes to LGBTQ counseling NY, The Center provides a number of different Gay affirmative counseling options. Whether needing help with coming out to friends and family, dealing with health issues or recovering from an addiction, The Center offers these and other services.

When it comes to counseling, there are a number of therapists whom focus on issues specifically related to the LGBTQ lifestyle. While this is the case, there are also others involved in conversion therapy in which the counselor attempts to "heal" the gay out of an individual. It is important to know that while these therapists are out there, there is nothing wrong with being oneself, whether lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender or binary.

Individuals looking for a counselor to assist with self-acceptance of the authentic self need to look for those working in and with the community. For, these individuals use a form of psychotherapy which is designed specifically for those dealing with and living alternative lifestyles. As such, these individuals often have more knowledge, insight and experience in the area.

While conversion therapy is designed to modify the sexual orientation of an individual, affirmative therapies work to overcome the stigma and homophobia associated with the lifestyle. For, while originally believed to have been related to a mental illness, research has shown otherwise. As a result, the Psychological Association of America now works to help therapists treat these individuals in a positive and compassionate way.

While the Psychological Association of America has had mixed views in the past, the organization now provides a guidebook to help affirmative therapists working in this area. For, studies over the last several years have shown that a gene is responsible for bisexual and homosexual desires. As a result, science has also shown that individuals whom identify in this way can often overcome anxiety, depression, drug abuse and sexual addiction. For, only when an individual can live an open and honest lifestyle can these and other such issues be avoided.

Individuals who hold religious beliefs which are judgmental towards the LGBTQ+ lifestyle often have two choices. One, find a religion which is more accepting and less judgmental or attend conversion therapy treatment. While the latter is an option, most individuals even after having gone through such therapy often revert back to the authentic self over time. As such, it is a process not to be entered into without a great deal of contemplation, meditation or prayer.

While the psychiatric field of medicine used to believe that bisexuality and homosexuality were related to mental illness, studies have now shown this not to be the case. As such, most in the field now promote affirmative rather than conversion counseling. For, it is often better to promote the authentic self and acceptance of an individual rather than teaching a person to be someone else.

Most recently, the focus has been on promoting acceptance while encouraging therapists to learn more about the community. For, while it can often be obvious that an individual has an attraction to same-sex partners, coming out of the closet and living a life that is open and honest can often be difficult. For, there are still a great number people, including family members, colleagues and others whom do not understand why people identify in this way.




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