The importance of queer-affirmative therapy

To help reduce minority stress

LGBTQ+ people in Malaysia continue to experience rampant discrimination and violence on a societal and political level because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Many LGBTQ+ individuals don’t have a strong support system. Some are kicked out of their homes, some are ostracized from their family and friends, some are forced to “hide in the closet” for their own safety. All this can result in chronic stress and negatively affect their mental health.

To provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals to receive mental healthcare

Many LGBTQ+ individuals are not “out” to their healthcare providers (e.g., counsellors, psychiatrists, doctors, etc.) out of fear that their provider may be dismissive, invalidating, or disrespectful of their identity. Many people fear that they may receive less than excellent care or even be turned away because of their identity. Some even fear that their providers would reveal their sexual or gender identity to the authorities.

So, even if LGBTQ+ individuals recognize the benefits of therapy and hope to seek help, they aren’t able to do so due to fear. This is not right! Everyone deserves to have safe access to effective mental healthcare.

To rebuild trust in therapy

Many LGBTQ+ individuals have distrust in therapy due to the homophobic and transphobic history in the field of psychology. For instance, “homosexuality” was listed as a mental disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) until 1973. “Gender identity disorder” was also listed as a mental disorder in the DSM until 2013.

Most psychology theories and practices are rooted in heteronormativity, because the leading figures in psychology have always been white heterosexual men. Thus, the queer perspective has always been omitted from the psychology and counselling training.

Minority stress is real! As mental health practitioners, I strongly believe that we are all obligated to educate ourselves on queer-affirmative therapy. Yes, I understand that some therapists choose to refer their LGBTQ+ clients to another therapist because of their religious or cultural values. That’s a fair decision to make because they are trying to minimize harm.

But don’t stop there! We must do the work to address our personal biases and educate ourselves. That is our job as mental health practitioners. We are supposed to advocate for everyone, especially individuals who have been systemically oppressed and marginalized by society.

Written by Keen Ji, licensed counsellor. To learn more about me, check out my Therapist Profile.