Top Rated Boulder LGBTQIA+ Therapists

For those of us in the LGBTQ community, teens, young adults and older adults, finding a safe space to talk openly about our feelings and life experiences can be a crucial aspect of our overall well-being, which is why affirming therapy is so important. "23% of Individuals that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB) report experiencing four or more adverse childhood experiences (ACES) while 42% of gender nonconforming and trans individuals report the same," found Envision:You in their 2022 Impact Report. These experiences can be related to increased anxiety and feelings of depression. Moreover, research findings have shown that these adverse experiences can also impact our physical health as well. LGBTQ counseling provides a supportive environment where individuals and couples can discuss their unique challenges and stressors without fear of discrimination or judgment. Let's be real. This world is not always safe. The prevalence of homophobia, transphobia, and other hateful belief systems, means we experience high levels of anxiety and fear daily. Counseling can help individuals and couples cope with these feelings by providing tools and resources to navigate life stress experienced when facing society and/or our family's biases and stigmas. To be clear, being LGBTQ is not an issue; society's bias, stigma, and hate are the issues. There is nothing wrong with us! We are beautiful in all of our queerness. However, daily navigating these adverse situations, biases, and hate increases the likelihood of depression, anxiety, fear, and stress in our queer community. Counseling can be particularly helpful for our mental health to build our self-esteem, overcome anxiety, and learn to love ourselves and live life authentically. Ultimately, LGBTQ counseling plays a vital role in promoting a healthy and happy life for us in the LGBTQ community.

Once you've narrowed down your search to few therapists, schedule an initial consultation call, and perhaps, even consider scheduling a few initial sessions with a therapist. During this “get to know” period be curious! How do you feel sharing with each therapist? Do you feel comfortable? Do you sense a possibility for a deeper relationship? Remember, therapy is process that takes time so it may take time to create trust and safety. Also, ask questions to gauge each therapist's knowledge and experience in working with LGBTQ clients and those issues (e.g., sexual identity, self-limiting beliefs) specific to you. Don't be afraid to ask each therapist if they have experience working with clients who have similar sexual identities and gender identities as you. In life, it can take time to build a rhythm and build trust with a new person. That's normal in therapy too! Remember, finding the right therapist can be a process, and it's worth investing the time and effort to find someone who can support you in your life. Whether you are in Boulder or anywhere in Colorado, at Rooted Acorn Counseling, we provide convenient virtual therapy sessions to join from the comfort of your home and have limited availability for in-person sessions as well.

You have decided you are ready to begin the therapy process. This is huge. Now what? Searching for an LGBTQ affirming therapist, mental health organization or therapy practice near you can be a daunting task, especially if you're unsure where to start or if you are struggling to find a good fit after an initial search. Talk to your friends and family members who may have done counseling in the past and can offer recommendations. In Boulder and across the Colorado Front Range LGBTQ folks have many LGBTQ-affirming mental health service options. Finding a mental health organization or therapy practice that is right for you is important. In addition to asking around and gathering recommendations from loved ones, you can also other resources such as online directories, like The Center on Colfax or Inclusive Therapists, or contact local clinical practices, like Rooted Acorn Counseling, to check the availability of affirming therapists who serve the LGBTQ community.