Human sexuality covers a wide range of identities, preferences, orientations, and behaviors that go from heterosexual to homosexual. There are people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, transsexual, and questioning. Many face difficulties and challenges in their sexual development, and many experience additional anxieties and stressors due to religious, social, and family restrictions. Many of these anxieties are exacerbated when an individual decides to reveal their sexual preference or gender orientation to their loved ones and society as a whole, which is often called “coming out.”
Living an LGBT lifestyle life doesn’t have to be filled with fear and anxiety, and the professionally trained counselors and mental health professionals at New Horizons are committed to helping all clients, regardless of lifestyle, to live their life to the fullest. We feel that every individual has the right to have a positive and healthy life, and we want to help you create the tools you need to be successful.
How to Deal with Sexuality and Gender Issues Professionally
Counseling services for people dealing with sexuality and gender issues includes many typical therapy services like one-on-one therapy and group counseling. Though most psychologists and psychiatrists are trained to address a wide variety of issues and concerns people might have, there are health professionals who have specific training in addressing LGBT individuals in order to help them become confident in their identities and orientations.
One issue commonly dealt with by sex and gender therapists is gender identity disorder, in which an individual feels immense discomfort with their anatomical gender and may act or strongly wish to be the opposite. People with this disorder have trouble understanding what’s happening to them, which may impact their self-esteem or feeling of self-worth.
Common symptoms of gender identity disorder include desiring to be the opposite gender, expressing disgust or refusing to acknowledge their genitalia, belief that they will grow up to be the opposite gender, and feeling isolated, depressed, or anxious. These feelings may or may not affect an individual’s sexual orientation, but it’s not uncommon. It left unaddressed, gender identity disorder can cause severe anxiety and depression.
Why Choose New Horizons to Help Manage Sexuality and Gender Issues?
Our licensed professionals will, through a non-judgmental, safe, and confidential environment, help you or your loved one create a deeper sense of understanding about your and/or their sexual identity, dating, partnering and commitment, monogamy and sexual behavior, personal safety and well-being, and coping with stereotypes and other forms of marginalization.