Are You At Peace With Who You Are?

Are you exhausted from trying to please everyone? Does your fear of disappointing people force you to internalize your emotions or to compartmentalize your life? Moreover, has modern culture’s misrepresentation of what it means to be LGBT eroded your self-respect?

Whether you’re transitioning, coming out, or just trying to get through another day, are you unclear about your life’s purpose? It may be that you’re stuck in a 9-to-5 job that you hate. Or you may be unsure of the best way to contribute to your community as you explore career options.If you’ve experienced childhood bullying, a lack of support, or a lifetime’s accumulation of subtle micro-aggressions, you may be looking for a way to heal those past hurts and to be at peace with yourself.

Many of our LGBT clients are also Highly Creative or could be considered a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), making life even more challenging. If you’re highly creative, for example, it may frustrate or depress you when you’re unable to pursue your work. Or, if you’re highly sensitive, you may be deeply affected when you experience conflict. It may also be that your nervous system tends to overreact to intense stimuli such as bright lights or jarring noises.

Depression Is Extremely Common In The LGBT Community

Youth who identify as sexual minorities are two to seven times more likely to commit suicide, according to Psychology Today. Studies have also shown that gay and bisexual men, lesbian, and transgender individuals are more likely to use alcohol and other drugs and to keep using them later in life, according to the Centers for Disease Control. This rampant depression in the LGBT community is driven by unfair media portrayals, conservative politics, and social stigma.

Regardless of your sexual orientation, life will always include challenges, but being a sexual minority can magnify these challenges and introduce new ones. Every time you develop a new relationship, for example, you must decide whether or not to “come out.” For many, this feels like choosing between staying true to yourself and keeping the peace in your new relationship—no easy choice.

Faced with ignorance, prejudice, or even outright discrimination, stress and depression are common. Fortunately, there are many resources available for gay depression help, including affirmative counseling. The support, fresh perspective, and coping strategies counseling can provide can help to reduce anxiety, build greater intimacy, and develop greater self-respect.

What Is Affirmative Counseling?

If you’ve experienced bullying or other traumatic events, the lingering pain can put you into continuous survival mode. When you’re focused on merely staying afloat, you can miss the chance to explore who you are or to ask yourself what you really want out of life. Identity therapy is an opportunity to set aside time to establish your identity and goals in a comfortable, safe environment.

Our sessions emphasize self-compassion, humor, and mindfulness to help you create more space around yourself and your life’s challenges. We’ll get to know you, meeting you wherever you are on your life path. You’ll have the unique opportunity to share your feelings, hopes, and dreams with an unbiased, empathetic, and nonjudgmental therapist.

If you or the people in your life tend to maximize your flaws or minimize your positive qualities, gay affirmative counseling can lend a healthier perspective. In our highly interactive sessions, we’ll gently challenge you to acknowledge your best qualities and encourage you to recognize the good things in your life. We’ll also empower you to have a healthier relationship with your emotions when things don’t go as planned.

As your self-confidence grows and your anxiety and depression begin to draw away, life challenges may not derail you like they used to. Decision-making and socializing may become easier, helping you to engage more fully with the world. You’ll be more aware of the effect that your relationships and other choices are having on you. As a result, you may decide to put less effort into certain relationships or projects (or to avoid them altogether).

Whether toxic people or your own negative thought cycles are darkening your vision of yourself and your life, therapy can help you to see yourself in a new light. We look forward to introducing you to the intelligent, capable, and confident person you truly are.

You May Be Thinking…

My situation is different, so therapy won’t work for me.

You might think that your situation is uniquely problematic. As a result, you may believe that while others might be helped by therapy, it won’t work for you. No matter how different your challenges seem, we’ve talked with hundreds of people struggling with similar emotions and doubts. We’ve helped them find greater clarity and confidence, and we can help you.

Can I afford it?

HJK Therapy Services offers payment options for every situation, whether you’re insured or uninsured and regardless of your financial situation. If needed, we can also decrease the frequency of our sessions to keep costs under control (In times of distress, you can always increase session frequency if needed). Please visit our payment information page for insurance plans we accept and details on our sliding scale payment system.

Is it really worth it?

You might wonder if the time and money required for therapy might be better spent elsewhere. But therapy isn’t a luxury – it’s a form of self-care. Getting the emotional and mental support you need is just as important as taking care of your physical body. When you invest in yourself, it will pay dividends in every area of your life. Most of our clients are pleasantly surprised by how much they get out of our therapy sessions. Many grateful clients have even told us they wish they would have made the investment sooner.

You Are Worth The Investment

The sooner you start affirmative psychotherapy, the sooner you can become at peace with yourself. If you’re ready to make positive change in your life, schedule an appointment online via the button below. Or, if you’re still wondering if our therapy center is the right option for you, call 312-778-5115 now for a free, 15-minute consultation with an LGBT therapist in the Chicago area.