Nowadays, people are coming out about their sexuality but not everyone has the confidence to do so. Some are discriminated against in school and this leads to low self esteem and guilt that can even lead to suicide. However, you can talk to therapists about your sexual orientation. You need to be careful about the person you select since some are gay affirmative. The following is a guide on how to select an LGBT psychotherapist Brooklyn.
The first step is looking for someone whom you feel comfortable around. If someone seems to avoid the topic of LGBT people and their sexual life, then he or she is likely to judge you hence making you feel guilty about your sexuality. That is why you should start by considering therapists who are gay, of friendly to gay people. They will be willing to speak about their experiences hence making you free to speak about yours.
Also, keep in mind that you should not overemphasize on the sexual orientation of the expert. Inquire about the background education, training, and experience. The person should not necessarily have all the knowledge in issues that affect LGBT persons. However, they should have knowledge and experience in the problems you are facing like guilt, depression and other sexuality issues.
Also, be wary of those psychotherapists who guarantee results. No one can cure homosexuality regardless of the efforts they put. Therefore, be cautious of those experts who make a lot of promises. After three months or more when you realize there is no change in your desires and behavior, your self esteem might be affected negatively. The person should only guide you to accept who you are and learn to cope with life not curing you.
Another issue you need to keep in mind when looking for a psychotherapist is sex. It is a topic that must be discussed. Find out if the prospective therapists are willing to create a forum where you can openly discuss issues surrounding intimacy and sex. If they are not willing to openly talk about that, they might be gay affirmative. Such therapists cannot be trusted since they can make your situation even worse.
The psychotherapist must adhere to the codes and ethics of this profession. He or she should not have any sexual behavior or intimacy with the customer. Some people are unethical and might take advantage of their weak clients and have sexual relations. Keep yourself safe by ensuring that despite talking about sexual issues, there are boundaries that exist between you two.
Asking around for recommendations from friends, relatives, or LGBT centers is another step towards finding a psychotherapist. You are not the first gay person in your area, so, talk to people with your condition and get suggestions for therapists you can visit. Word of mouth is a great source of information.
Lastly, picking the right person is not very easy. Take your time and do some background checks on the person. Arranging an interview will be wise. Be keen to make some observations during the interview to find the right match.
The first step is looking for someone whom you feel comfortable around. If someone seems to avoid the topic of LGBT people and their sexual life, then he or she is likely to judge you hence making you feel guilty about your sexuality. That is why you should start by considering therapists who are gay, of friendly to gay people. They will be willing to speak about their experiences hence making you free to speak about yours.
Also, keep in mind that you should not overemphasize on the sexual orientation of the expert. Inquire about the background education, training, and experience. The person should not necessarily have all the knowledge in issues that affect LGBT persons. However, they should have knowledge and experience in the problems you are facing like guilt, depression and other sexuality issues.
Also, be wary of those psychotherapists who guarantee results. No one can cure homosexuality regardless of the efforts they put. Therefore, be cautious of those experts who make a lot of promises. After three months or more when you realize there is no change in your desires and behavior, your self esteem might be affected negatively. The person should only guide you to accept who you are and learn to cope with life not curing you.
Another issue you need to keep in mind when looking for a psychotherapist is sex. It is a topic that must be discussed. Find out if the prospective therapists are willing to create a forum where you can openly discuss issues surrounding intimacy and sex. If they are not willing to openly talk about that, they might be gay affirmative. Such therapists cannot be trusted since they can make your situation even worse.
The psychotherapist must adhere to the codes and ethics of this profession. He or she should not have any sexual behavior or intimacy with the customer. Some people are unethical and might take advantage of their weak clients and have sexual relations. Keep yourself safe by ensuring that despite talking about sexual issues, there are boundaries that exist between you two.
Asking around for recommendations from friends, relatives, or LGBT centers is another step towards finding a psychotherapist. You are not the first gay person in your area, so, talk to people with your condition and get suggestions for therapists you can visit. Word of mouth is a great source of information.
Lastly, picking the right person is not very easy. Take your time and do some background checks on the person. Arranging an interview will be wise. Be keen to make some observations during the interview to find the right match.
About the Author:
You can get valuable tips on how to pick a psychotherapist and more information about an experienced LGBT psychotherapist Brooklyn area at http://www.andrewrgottlieb.com now.
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