Pride Month is a time to celebrate the resilience, diversity, creativity, and contributions of LGBTQ+ communities.
LGBTQ+ affirming therapy recognizes that communities formed of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions are appreciated, valued, and worthy of respect and understanding. An affirming therapist understands the impact that family rejection, political violence, systemic barriers, and trauma can have on one’s nervous system, personhood and emotional well-being.
Sakura Counseling honors the joy, resilience, creativity, and community that flourish within LGBTQIA+ spaces and strives to provide safer spaces in which mental health is informed, supportive, liberatory, and celebratory of gender expansive families, partnerships, and individuals. As allies, we also want to acknowledge the very real fear, exhaustion, and grief that many transgender and gender-diverse people are carrying right now. It is understandable to feel anxious, angry, hypervigilant, or overwhelmed in response to a social and political landscape where many LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender and nonbinary people of color, continue to experience discrimination, stigma, and targeted political attacks.
Recent anti-LGBTQ+ policies across the U.S. directed at LGBTQ+, particularly against transgender and non-binary people, have contributed to increased stress, fear, uncertainty, and minority stress for many individuals and families. These experiences can have significant impacts on mental health, increasing vulnerability to anxiety, depression, isolation, and trauma-related symptoms. Recognizing these realities while celebrating community strength is an important part of honoring the full experience of LGBTQ+ people.
During times of violence and oppression, acts of self-care and community care matter. Here are some suggestions for self and community care during Pride Month and beyond:
- Seek out affirming relationships and communities where your identity is celebrated and supported, whether through trusted friends, chosen family, peer groups, or LGBTQIA+-affirming therapy.
- Care for your nervous system by prioritizing rest, movement, nourishment, and moments of grounding throughout the day.
- Consider setting boundaries around media consumption when the news cycle becomes overwhelming, allowing yourself to stay informed without becoming emotionally flooded.
- Remember that seeking support is an act of courage and self-compassion, not weakness.
LGBTQ+-affirming and gender-affirming therapy can provide a safe and validating environment for individuals to explore identity, process experiences of discrimination or trauma, strengthen self-worth, and cultivate authentic self-expression. During Pride Month and throughout the year, we celebrate the courage, joy, and humanity of LGBTQ+ communities while reaffirming our commitment to equity, inclusion, safety, and access to affirming mental health care for all.
Additional Resources for the LGBTQIA+ community in Portland, Oregon and the Northwest.