LGBTQIA+ Community

We Offer Affirming Therapeutic Support for the LGBTQIA+ Community

Everyone has a gender identity and sexual orientation. You may identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or be questioning how and where you fit in.

First, it’s important that you know being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, or asexual is not a mental illness.

Unfortunately, too many LGBTQIA+ people experience shame, trauma, and other mental health conditions. Because of pressures placed on members of the LGBTQIA+ community by society, in the United States 39% of LGBTQIA+ people admitted to struggling with their mental health.

LGBTQIA+ youth are even more likely to struggle with mental health challenges. 

Even if you’re usually resilient, there may be times when you need a supportive environment to explore your feelings. That’s why at Elite DNA Behavioral Health we’re dedicated to our mission of creating inclusive and welcoming spaces for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their families.

In addition to anxiety, depression, substance use, and other mental health issues, you may be experiencing mental health conditions specifically related to being a transgender member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

What Is Gender Dysphoria?

Gender dysphoria is distress from feeling a “mismatch” between your biological sex assigned at birth and your gender identity. Sometimes this dissatisfaction is so significant that it can influence your daily life. In many people, gender dysphoria can contribute to feelings of depression or anxiety.

It’s okay to explore your gender identity and to define yourself on your own terms. You may feel male, female, or even non-binary.

To live a life that matches the gender you feel aligned with, you may seek gender affirming care and support through therapy and from medical doctors who specialize in hormonal treatments and gender affirming surgery.

What Are Some Signs Or Symptoms Of Gender Dysphoria?

People with gender dysphoria often first make changes to their appearance, behavior, or interests to explore their feelings related to their gender identity.

In adolescents and adults with gender dysphoria it’s common to:

• Feel strongly your gender identity is in direct conflict with your biological sex
• Feel a strong sense of ease when allowed to operate in gender roles that more closely align with your gender identity
• Try to or have a strong desire to hide physical attributes of your biological sex (like breast binding, or removing facial hair)
• Have negative associations with or want to get rid of the genitals associated with biological sex

Affirming Care for Gender Dysphoria

Everyone’s approach to confirming their gender is a uniquely personal one. 

You deserve a holistic and tailored treatment plan that affirms your gender expression on your terms. 

At Elite DNA Behavioral Health, our team is ready to offer support in many ways:

• Using your preferred name and pronouns during all sessions
• Holding no preconceived notions about the outcome of your gender identity exploration or feeling that any outcome is superior to another
• Supporting you throughout medical affirmation procedures and recovery
• Providing safe environments and inclusive spaces for exploring your feelings and experiences related to your gender identity
• Developing coping strategies that you can use when faced with unaccepting people

Your journey will always be supported by appropriate therapy and your care plan will include the gender affirmations that most make sense to you. Because of our comprehensive approach, we’ll also address any co-occurrences of mental health issues along the way.