Often, gay, queer, bisexual, and non conforming children and teens become a subject of bullying. As well, there is so much cultural shame and oppression that gay, bisexual, and transgender people face. And, without a feeling of belonging, building self-love is very difficult. In general, LGBTQIA+, sexuality and gender therapy in East Haddam, Ct can help teenagers and adults alike feel confident expressing themselves.
How does gender start?
At birth, we all have a set of chromosomes. From there, we are assigned a gender at brith. So, people with X and Y are biologically male. On the other hand, people with X and X are biologically female. However, biological sex is separate from gender expression, and sexual orientation.
Plus, in sexuality and gender therapy in East Haddam, Ct, you can safely talk about how your gender is fluid and evolving.
At one time, your teenager may feel they are not male or female. Then, they choose the label, non binary, to share they are in the middle. Now, your teenager expresses their gender identity and expresses their gender in a more neutral way. Over time, this may change. So, in a few months or years, your teenager may go back to male or female, or pick something else altogether. Other labels for gender identity include, transgender, gender fluid, bigender, two spirited, and free spirit.
What happens to our gender and sexual orientation as we age?
Well, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation are all separate. Furthermore, sexual orientation may change or it may stay the same as someone’s gender changes. Sometimes, people who are gay or bisexual will evolve in their sexual orientation over time. A person who identifies as homosexual may prefer the term, gay. And, in a few years, after knowing themselves, maybe they then identify as bisexual. As terminology changes and evolves, words people use to describe themselves will change too. Remember, being affirming is about using the same words and labels a person uses about themselves.
When it comes to adolescents and teenagers, what makes gender fluid?
Gender may change over time and are being talked about more and more openly. And, for many adolescents, gender is a topic all over social media, but may not be talked about at home as much. In addition, peers, parents, and friends are coming out as gay. The neighbor down the road came out as transgender. It might seem easy, but for a transgender or LGBTQIA+ person, there is a lot of prejudice still.
In sexuality and gender therapy in East Haddam, Ct, we help transgender people deal with oppression and bulling experienced when growing up, and live a confident life.
So, being queer affirming can be really supportive. For transgender people, they are often referred to as the wrong pronoun and misgendered. Misgendering is creating more oppression and not being LGBTQIA+ affirming. As well, referring to a transgender person by their dead name can lead to low self esteem and discrimination. If this happens at home, it can feel like home is not a safe place. To add, gender and gender identity are not solid, so these pronouns may change over time. So, let the person you are with teach you what they want to be called. For many transgender people, being misgendered or called their dead name can make them feel like a victim all over again. So, if you are unsure, just politely ask, “I want to address you by you preferred name. What pronouns do you go by?”
What is sexuality, LGBTQIA+, non binary and gender therapy for adolescents and young adults?
In sexuality and gender therapy in East Haddam, Ct, you can openly talk about sexual orientation and gender identity. But, with another therapist, they may impose their religious views. Or, they may not have LGBTQIA+ education on transgender matters.
So, when looking for sexuality and gender therapy as a speciality, it is essential to work with a speciality therapist group like Wisdom Within Counseling.
Working with a gender and sexuality therapist can help you feel safe talking about your preferred pronouns.
In a confidential setting, you can discuss gender fluid feelings and how long you felt this way. Even your sexuality and gender therapist in East Haddam, Ct can help you feel supported by using your preferred name in sessions. In counseling, you can have a safe LGBTQIA+ affirming space to be your authentic self. As well, maybe you have experiences of religious trauma around gender expression. Or, you have experiences of deep rejection from your parents or extended family around coming out you want to process.
How are symptoms of depression and anxiety connected to gender and sexuality?
When people who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community don’t get help or feel a sense of belonging, depression arises. Manytimes, teenagers are told they have to fit in or be liked. Adolescents get messages that they can’t be gay, or will be made fun of for being transgender. And, we know people can’t stop being gay. So, it creates internal shame and feeling like they need to hide themselves. In kinder garden, if children stop playing with a boy who likes pink, that boy believes pink is a bad or shameful color. So, people who are LGBTQIA+, queer, or gender non confirming live with daily cultural shame. Often, transgender people grow up hating themselves due to cultural shame. At Wisdom Within Counseling, we offer sexuality and gender therapy in East Haddam, Ct to support acceptance and self-love.
From cultural shame and oppression from being gay or trying to come out, teenagers face additional challenges that therapy can help with.
Furthermore, teenagers are trying to future out who they are romantically attracted to, and it is a lot. As well, when teens question their sexuality, it often occurs in elementary and middle school. Manytimes, adolescents and teens come out as bisexual and their family system doesn’t respond in an accepting away. Sometimes, being gay or transgender impacts being able to learn at school due to bullying at home and school.
Therefore, talking with a sexuality and gender therapist in East Haddam, Ct can help depressed teenagers who are coming out feel safe talking about being bisexual, gay, lesbian, and gay.
Why is LGBTQIA+, queer affirming, gender therapy for adolescents and young adults a speciality focus?
At Wisdom Within Counseling, our team of marriage and family therapists focus with LGBTQIA+ children, teens and couples. As therapists who are queer affirming, we help clients feel empowered to be their authentic self. Over time, gender non confirming children need a safe place to come out. As well, even in marriages, adults need support coming out to a spouse. No matter your sexuality and gender question, let’s talk about it!
To start working with a queer affirming, LGBTQIA+, gender therapy for adolescents and young adults, book a phone consult today below.
Our LGBTQIA+ queer affirming counseling team teaches positive coping skills for anxiety and better self-esteem.
In holistic teen therapy in Old Saybrook, Ct, we offer unique, offer art therapies, yoga, music, play, and outdoor walk and talk.
These are great for adolescents, teenagers, and couples to release anger and anxiety and express emotions in ways beyond words. In sexuality and gender therapy in East Haddam, Ct, you can express and overcome oppression through art and painting. As well, LGBTQIA+ teenagers and transgender adults can have a place to focus on themselves.
For instance, in sexuality and gender therapy in East Haddam, Ct, you can go for an outdoor walk-and-talk session by the beach to feel self-love and acceptance.
In addition, watercolor, painting, or sitting on a comfy couch in an office are choices too. For gender questioning and queer teenagers and adults, we offer a sense of leadership and self-esteem tools. You, your adolescent, or young adult can feel stronger and clear their head. We are skill oriented, so LGBTQIA+ teenagers can build a self-care toolbox through holistic skills. At Wisdom Within Counseling in holistic teen therapy in Old Saybrook, Ct, teens can connect to their whole self, mind, body, and spirit.
In sexuality and gender therapy in East Haddam, Ct, we love helping children, teens, and couples using creative art, yoga, music, and walking therapies, or a combination with talking.
