LGBTQIA+
Written By: DiveThru Team
Reviewed By: Natalie Asayag MSW, LCSW
How to Find a LGBTQ Therapist That Will Support You Best
PUBLISHED Mar 16th, 2021 & UPDATED ON Jan 25th, 2023
Existing in the world as a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ Community can be scary. It can be hard to identify someone who is biggoted, judgemental, or phobic — and then deal with all their bull. That’s a fucking heavy load to carry around and it’ll start to take a toll on your mental health.
Speaking to a therapist who understands you, and your life, is a great way to look after your mental health. But finding a LGBTQ therapist (Queer-friendly and familiar with the Queer Community), can be another challenge to add to the list. And you shouldn’t have to settle, because the therapist that is the right fit for you will be supportive of your sexual orientation or gender identity. You DESERVE an accepting space to unload and decompress. To help you find support, we’ve compiled a list of Canadian and American resources so you can find a LGBTQ therapist. Let’s go!
Why Finding a Queer Therapist Matters
If you’re part of the Queer community, what you might need is called LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy. This is a specific kind of therapy that embraces Queer people, their lives and their identities with total acceptance.
Finding a Queer therapist is important because you need someone who knows what you’re going through — unfortunately, there are just some experiences that only another Queer person will totally understand. It also helps to establish common ground right out of the gate, and contributes to the creation of this new safe space. Plus, you won’t have to spend your session time educating them on your orientation and/or identity. This time is YOURS.
Members of the Queer community experience mental health issues at about 3 times the rate of the heteronormative population. Which TOTALLY MAKES SENSE because marginalized communities face a lot more hardships as a result of their ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It’s a lot to carry!
So how exactly do you find a therapist who can help you?
LGBTQIA2S+ Mental Health Resources
First thing’s first. Hit up the ole internet and give LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapist in my city a Goog. We gave it a try and a ton of options came up! You might be lucky enough to find a directory of Queer-friendly businesses, including psychological services.
If you live in a rural area and don’t have access to in-person counselling, consider finding a LGBTQ therapist who is willing to do a video call with you. There are now tons of therapists who are happy to provide sessions by phone or online!
There are also Queer-tailored helplines you can reach out to if you feel like you’re in a crisis. How awesome is that?!
Canadian Resources
Many provinces and territories have their own help and crisis lines that you can call to access help. The below list includes queer-specific, and non-specific, help lines. If you’re currently experiencing an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
– Call 1-877-330-6366
They also have a ton of resources (including: finding legal support and health care supports, resources for sex workers, child and youth camp listings, and resources for trans people with disabilities…to name a few).
2. Kids Help Phone (20 yrs and younger)
– Call 1-800-668-6868 (open 24/7)
– Text CONNECT to 686868 (live chat), or TALK to 686868 (English), or TEXTO to 686868 (Français)
– Chat on Facebook Messenger (open 24/7)
They also have a directory of youth programs.
– Call 1-855-242-3310 (open 24/7 in English & Français — Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut available upon request)
– Chat online
4. National Indian Residential School Crisis Line
– Call 1-866-925-4419
Take a look at this phenomenal list of crisis lines sorted by province. It’s a great resource for finding lines that are tailored to different communities, languages, and circumstances.
American Resources
There are a number of national organizations with crisis lines that you can call to access help. The below list includes queer-specific, and non-specific, help lines. If you’re currently experiencing an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
1. The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth under 25)
– Call 1-866-488-7386
– Text START to 678678
– Chat online 24/7
2. The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender National Help Center
– Call 1-888-843-4564 (youth & adults), or 1-800-246-7743 (25 and younger), or 1-888-234-7243 (50 and older)
– Chat online (peer support), or chat here (LGBT 19 and younger, moderated), or chat here (trans 19 and younger, moderated)
They also have an extensive list of LGBTQ-friendly organizations and businesses.
– Call 877-565-8860
They also have a ton of resources (including: finding legal support and health care supports, resources for sex workers, child and youth camp listings, and resources for trans people with disabilities…to name a few).
4. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
– Call 1-800-273-8255 (English)
– Call 1-800-628-9454 (Español)
– Chat online 24/7
– Chat online 24/7 (veterans)
– Text 838255 (veterans)
– TTY dial 711, then 1-800-273-8255
It’s a Canadian page but it has a fantastic list of crisis centres in the United States.
Queer-Friendly TikTok Creators to Follow
While you work on your mental health with a therapist, you can also indulge in some queer-friendly, mental health related TikTok scrolling. These are our current faves!
@hannahbreadtok Hannah isn’t necessarilyyyyy a mental health professional, but these videos are soooo relaxing to watch! If you’re in the midst of an anxious episode, mosey on over to TikTok and spend a few hours watching Hannah bake bread (it’s kinda sexy).
@the.truth.doctor Dr. Courtney Tracy is Queer-friendly, pro BLM and a general badass. She demonstrates some amazing coping mechanisms, gives great info on mental health and is NOT here for the trolls in her comment section! We love her content and think she’s 10/10 someone you should follow.
@beccstatic B is ALL THE THINGS. B is a therapist, PhD Student, witch (AMAZING!), and gay. B is super chill and already treats clients from the Queer Community. We’re so here for the awesome Queer + mental health content!
@dreadbehemoth Dr. Brendon takes such a cool approach to therapy that we’ve never really seen before! He combines his love of cosplay with therapy in order to help his patients overcome their struggles. He’s also fully ready to dismantle toxic masculinity and the patriarchy! Wholesome. Sweet. Helpful. Educational! It doesn’t get better than that!
You are PERFECT, deserve every ounce of happiness, and deserve to find a LGBTQ therapist that automatically respects and accepts you as you are. We know that finding one to give you the kind of affirming therapy you need can be hard, so we hope that we made the search a little bit easier. And in the meantime, make sure you keep looking after your mental health so you can keep being your beautiful self!
Read More: 6 Self-Care Tips to Practice After a Gender-Affirming Surgery, 10 Self-Care Tools for Trans and Non-Binary Folks,