When I was a teenager, I couldn’t decide what career path I wanted to pursue after my high school graduation. While I wanted to earn a comfortable living, money wasn’t the only factor guiding my decision. I also desired to have a job that would allow me to help others in some way. If you’re searching for a rewarding career, consider counseling. Counselors have the opportunity to help people solve complicated problems on a daily basis. For instance, as a counselor, you might help a couple resolve marriage issues, aid a teenager battling an eating disorder, or assist an adult dealing with depression. I didn't end up becoming a counselor, but on this blog, I hope you will discover some of the most interesting aspects of being a counselor.
The LGBTQ community is growing, and this is largely due to awareness and acceptance and plenty of LGBTQ support therapy. Nearly six percent of the adult population in the US identify as LGBTQ, with the majority of them being among the younger generations.
As a parent of someone who identifies as LGBTQ, you have your own questions and concerns. Whether you feel guilty for not feeling entirely comfortable with the lifestyle your child has seemingly chosen or you have other questions or concerns, know this: LGBTQ therapy is just as available and beneficial to you as it is to your child. It's a growing world of acceptance and more and more people are coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or prefer to go by their own pronouns, and it's up to you as a parent to be there for your own child as they go through their journey of self-discovery.
Here are just some of the reasons why you need LGBTQ therapy as a parent of a child who identifies as LGBTQ. You can get therapy at your local community counseling center or via a therapist of your choosing in your area who specializes in this type of counseling. If you need financial assistance, let your therapist know; they may be able to assist you on a sliding scale.
You need to know how to support your child
It's not up to you to agree with your child's sexual or personal identity, it's up to you to support them and help them feel safe. That being said, it's also your right to gain an understanding of what it means to be LGBTQ, even if you don't identify this way or even know really what it means. You'll learn how to support your child and understand their lifestyle if you go to an LGBTQ support therapy group for parents or for the community as a whole.
You need to have your fears, concerns, and questions heard
Are you afraid for your child? Do you not fully understand what the different is between being bisexual or gay? Do you have other concerns for your child, such as legal protection against discrimination or concerns about your child's welfare in the community? An LGBTQ therapy session can help alleviate your fears and help you fight for your child. You'll also learn about sexual identity and expression, and if you have your own curiosities about the LGBTQ community, there will be your safe place to address these things.
For more information on LGBTQ therapy, contact a company like Encircle.
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