How do I find LGBTQ+-friendly therapy?

Not all therapists are equally knowledgeable or affirming of LGBTQ+ issues. Luckily, the internet has made it easy to research potential therapists before making an appointment.

Where should I look?

One of the best and easiest ways to find LGBTQ+-friendly therapy is online through a search engine like Mental Health Match or Psychology Today.

These tools offer several different filters, including insurance, gender identity, sexual orientation, transgender support, and more.  You will find therapists in your area who specialize and have experience working with LGBTQ+ clients. Each therapist has their own profile with an about section where you can learn more about them and their practice. You can also find qualifications, specialties, treatment approach, client focus, issues, and financial information, as well as contact information on their page.

The Human Rights Campaign partnered with Mental Health America to develop a tool to help you determine whether your therapist will be responsive to your LGBTQ+ identity—especially if you are also a person of color. Once you’ve found a therapist that you like, this tool can help you decide if they are the right therapist for you.

What should I look for?

When looking for LGBTQ+-friendly therapy, there are three areas to pay attention to:

1. Client focus (Does this therapist work with people like me?): Check who the therapist typically supports. A therapist’s profile might list experience working with LGBTQ+ people or with people your age.
2. Specialties (Does this therapist treat what I want help with?): Look for a therapist whose specialties reflect you and your needs. For example, some therapists may specialize in depression, anxiety, or trauma and PTSD. Others might have experience with LGBTQ+-specific concerns like coming out, gender-affirming care support, or navigating unsupportive families. Consider clicking more or less areas of specialties to focus in on what you want to address in treatment and to get a longer or shorter list.
3. Therapist approach (Does the way that this therapist works fit with what helps me?): You can learn a lot about therapists based on what they put online, including how they work with people. Start with the profile to help narrow your search, and then continue to research online. Find out what makes each therapist unique and who may resonate with you. Along with finding a therapist who explicitly talks about LGBTQ+-related issues. Or even the specific issue you’re hoping to work through. Look for other qualities that you think will help with the relationship. Ultimately, understanding how a therapist works can help you get a sense of whether you might feel comfortable opening up to them.

What do I do after I find a therapist I like?

Most therapists will do a 15-20-minute phone interview so you can see if they are a good fit. Be sure to ask questions about any information you didn’t see on the web, like insurance and payment information, their qualifications, approach to helping, and anything else you are curious about. Ask them about their training, knowledge, and experience in working with the LGBTQ+ population. If you have questions about a specific issue, this is the time to ask.

Additionally, some therapists run group therapy sessions for specific communities and issues. Group sessions can help you find community and support from others going through the same things you are.

What do I do if I can’t find an LGBTQ+-affirming therapist near me?

If you can’t find an LGBTQ+-affirming therapist near you, you still have options. Look for distance therapy options. For example, some therapists offer services by phone or via online video. You can also see if there is an LGBTQ+ community center in your area that can point you in the right direction.

These are some additional search tools that you can use:

• The Healthcare Equality Index– The HEI evaluates healthcare facilities’ policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and employees.
• LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory

Don’t give up! There are many tools and resources available online to help you find a therapist who is a good fit and will help you with what you are going through.