At Wildflower Therapy, our team of therapists offers LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy. What does this mean? We work to unequivocally celebrate, validate, and advocate for those with minority identities surrounding sexuality, gender identity, gender expression, and more.
So, why is this important enough for us to create a whole page on this website? Well, research shows that people who identify as LGBTQIA+ experience higher rates of mental health issues than cis-het individuals. In fact, LGBTIA+ folks are about 1.5 times more likely to struggle with depression, anxiety, or substance misuse (King et al., 2008).
Research also shows that LGBTQIA+ folks struggle with higher rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders. At Wildflower Therapy, we know that these higher rates of mental health issues are NOT a product of one’s queer identity- but of an oppressive and stigmatizing environment. Living within a hetero/cis-normative culture often shames queer identities both implicitly and explicitly, and LGBTQIA+ folks often internalize these homophobic and transphobic messages/beliefs which then in turn negatively impact mental health.
LGBTQIA+ and Eating Disorders
Research shows that eating disorders disproportionately impact some segments of the LGBTQIA+ community. Specifically gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens begin to show a statistically higher risk of struggling with binge eating and purging than non-LGBTQIA+ teens around age 12.
At Wildflower Therapy, we have a great deal of experience in helping LGBTQIA+ individuals who are struggling with eating disorders. We can help you address your eating disorder, while also acknowledging and holding the complexity you may experience in terms of unique sexuality and gender identity issues that intersect with your relationship with food.
LGBTQIA+ and Body Image
If you are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, you may experience body image concerns in ways that may be similar to cit-het individuals. However, your relationship with your body may be impacted by various unique environmental factors, such as stigma and prejudice. After all, it can be tough to feel safe in your body when you are experiencing oppression. Additionally, the dysphoria that can come up for trans and GNC folks can have a profound impact on body impact. We recognize that controlling body size and body image can be a way to feel more congruent with one’s gender, and make sure to hold space for these complicated truths and experiences (verses relentlessly pushing the standard narrative of “just love the skin you are in!” that can sometimes be prevalent in eating disorder treatment spaces).
At Wildflower Therapy, we can assure you that we will hold your body image experience with care and respect. We can help you navigate the journey to healing your relationship with your body while taking into account all the unique factors that impact this relationship.
LGBTQIA+ Therapy Experience
While LGBTQIA+ folks attend therapy for a whole variety of reasons, there can be a complicated layer to the experience of therapy. This is because the mental health field has historically discriminated against and pathologized LGBTQIA+ individuals. And even today, our socio-political climate continues to oppress and try to legislate trans and GNC individuals out of existence. We believe that this makes it even more important to create safe, and celebratory queer and gender-affirming spaces.
We take these various social and cultural lenses (heteronormativity, transphobia, homophobia, etc) into account when working with you. The bottom line is that no matter what you are seeking therapy for, your individual identity deserves to be celebrated. Not simply accepted. (Acceptance or tolerance sets a pretty low bar in the grand scheme of it all, in our opinion!)
We welcome and celebrate all identities on the gender and sexuality spectrum, as well as those who are just beginning to explore their identity.
Our therapists continue to seek out the latest research and information to continue to learn and grow our competency. We also acknowledge that even if we share similar identities with you, you are still an expert on your own unique experience. In summation, we provide a non-judgmental and validating space so that all individuals can grow and explore all parts of themselves.
How Can LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy in Philadelphia Help You?
If you are struggling with your mental health and it is impacting your ability to function in your daily life, we would be honored to help you address those needs. Whether you prefer in-person therapy or virtual therapy, at Wildflower Therapy, our therapists are available and ready to help. Below are some steps to follow if you feel overwhelmed and would like to ask for help:
Step One: Read our Statement of Beliefs to get a better understanding of who we are and what we stand for!
Step Two: We encourage you to get to know a little bit about our therapists, their specializations, and their credentials. Get to know our LGBTQIA+ Therapists here.
Step Three: If you feel like we would be a good fit for you, please reach out to us to set up a free 30-minute consultation here- We look forward to hearing from you!
Step Four: Begin your journey to self-healing and understanding!
Mental Health Services Provided by Wildflower Therapy, Philadelphia, PA
Life is a unique journey for each of us and we all have our individual battles to fight. We understand that the LGBTQIA+ community faces its own unique set of challenges. Our therapists know there is no one-size-fits-all approach to any of life’s difficulties and we offer many unique perspectives and approaches to help meet you where you are with our Philadelphia, PA Therapy services. We offer services for eating disorder therapy, services for anxiety, and depression, and have practitioners who specialize in therapy for college students and athletes. We also have therapists who specialize in perinatal and postnatal support.
As you can see we have something to offer just about anyone in our Philadelphia, PA office. Reaching out is often the most difficult step you can take to improve your mental health. We look forward to helping you on this journey!