YOU BELONG HERE
Affirming: “to state as a fact, to assert strongly and publicly, and to offer a person emotional support and encouragement.”
We proudly provide LGBTQIA+-affirming treatment in a safe environment with compassionate care and a variety of specialized services for community through our Queer Trauma Recovery Program.
A Safe Space to Heal
Our clients can expect an inclusive environment and safety amongst our entire staff.
- We welcome and affirm clients of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities and proudly employ members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
- We recognize the inequities and threats to the community and acknowledge how these barriers negatively contribute to mental health and Addiction.
- We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind and regularly conduct internal training events to ensure a united approach to protecting our clients’ safety.
Programming Designed for You
We carefully screen our clients for their readiness and ability to benefit and engage safely with the entire LGBTQIA+ track. Some clients may attend certain groups and therapy while they stabilize in other elements of programming. Our offerings include:
- Queer Trauma Recovery Path – for clients ready to address trauma
- Daily process group with LGBTQIA+ peers
- Individual therapy with a trauma therapist
- Weekly psychoeducational group for the LGBTQIA+ community
- Art therapy group with LGBTQIA+ peers
- LGBTQIA+-affirming psychiatric and medical care
Inclusivity and Intersectionality
Our programming covers common topics and themes, including:
- Early childhood attachment and minority stress
- Exploring gender-affirming language and sexual identity with a cultural context
- Developing Queer identity (from a psychosocial developmental model)
- Understanding the unique intersection of Queer identity, nationality, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, ability, and spirituality
- Addressing process addictions within an LGBTQIA+ cultural context
- Planning aftercare and step-down programming with LGBTQIA+ affirming treatment centers, sober living homes, and communities
- Accessing resources and recovery support networks within the community
Special Considerations for LGBTQIA+ Therapy
Finding LGBTQIA+ friendly therapy to address issues unique to the community and your lived experience can be challenging, but there is hope. More providers are making an effort to inform themselves of the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community and actively taking steps to create an inclusive, safe space to provide support.
Our goal with this blog post is to share common mental health challenges experienced by people with diverse genders and sexualities. We’ll also focus on the role of trauma-informed care and what to look for in a provider so that you can feel safe, accepted, validated, and empowered as you make choices about your mental healthcare.
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LGBTQ+ Mental Health Discussion with Gigi Goode
Gigi Goode is an American entertainer, designer, and makeup artist, who is best known for participating on the twelfth season of the US television program RuPaul’s Drag Race. She won the People’s choice award in 2020 for Best Competition Performer. Her mission is to bring light to all ends of the gender spectrum through her artwork and appearances.
Gigi Goode shares her experience and talks with APN therapists about LGBTQ+ mental health.
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Finding the Right LGBTQIA+ Therapist for You
Finding a therapist who is understanding, supportive, and knowledgeable about your unique experiences is crucial, and this is especially true for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. While therapy can be empowering, finding a therapist who recognizes your support needs and holds space for your lived experience can also be daunting. Here’s how to find the right LGBTQIA+ therapist for you.
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Not Another Closet – Creating LGBTQ Safe & Welcoming Places
Steve R. Kelly worked as a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist. He helped create LGBTQIA understanding and awareness for clinicians and other healthcare professionals so they can better serve the community with compassionate care.
In this APN Speaker Series session, Steve shared how to create a safe, welcoming, and affirming therapeutic environment for clients within the LGBTQ community.
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Therapy Unboxed: LGBTQIA+ Safe Spaces
In this episode of Therapy Unboxed, APN therapist Lana Seiler talks with John Hardman, about what it means to embody an LGBTQ-affirming approach to therapy. They review common barriers and shortcomings, acknowledge the importance of LGBTQ culture and community, and identify actionable steps to establish safety and meet client needs across sexual orientations and genders.
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MORE SUPPORT FOR THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY
Pride is a celebration and a protest in the face of the violence, harassment, injustice, discrimination, and losses endured by members of the LGBTQIA+ community. At APN, we embody the spirit of Pride year-round.
Support is an active process, and allyship demands action. We’re open to new ideas and committed to evolving with the needs of this community by centering the voices of LGBTQIA+ people and sharing community resources.
- Trevor Project for LGBTQIA+ Youth, ages 25 and younger: call 866.488.7386 or text 678678
- Colorado Crisis Services for the Colorado LGBTQIA+ Community: call 844.493.8225 or text HOME to 741741
- The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline: call 888.843.4564
- Trans Lifeline: call 877.565.8860
