LGBT psychology: the benefits of going to a specialized psychologist

Gay, bisexual and transgender people have been persecuted, discriminated against, being the object of hatred and attacks throughout history.

In recent decades, fundamental rights and milestones have been achieved that have given rise to a more tolerant and plural society. Proof of this are the elimination in 1973 of homosexuality from the "Diagnostic Manual of Mental Illnesses" (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), and in 1990, the disappearance of homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses of The OMS. But Despite these advances, the LGBT community continues to be the object of hatred, discrimination and attacks currently.

Therefore, it is essential to accept the affective-sexual diversity that exists in society. Each person creates their own relationship model, which will help them develop the ability to love and live intra and interpersonal relationships in the best possible way. It can be said that there are as many forms of relationship as there are people.

• Related article: "The 12 branches (or fields) of Psychology"

Difference between sexual orientation, gender identity and biological sex

It is essential to know the definition of each of these terms so as not to be confused and to be able to better understand the needs within the group.

Sexual orientation

It refers to the emotional, physical, sexual or romantic attraction that a person has towards another person. This attraction can be towards people of the same sex (homosexual), towards people of different sex (heterosexual) or to be attracted to both sexes (bisexual).

We cannot choose our sexual orientation, therefore the Conversion Therapies used to "cure" homosexuality lack all meaning and validity.

Gender identity

Awareness of belonging to the male or female sex. A person may feel a gender identity different from her biological sex; it is what happens to transsexual people.

Biological sex

It corresponds to the sex with which we were born, male or female.

What is Affirmative Psychology?

Affirmative Psychology is a specialization within Psychology that is in charge of working on the different problems that non-heterosexual or cisexual people can suffer (people whose gender identity matches their biological sex). The term Affirmative Psychology appeared in 1982 to address the pathologizing ideas of sexual and gender diversity that existed at that time.

In order for LGBT people to cope with situations that may arise, they are taught certain useful strategies and tools. A) Yes, each person will be able to assume their own sexual orientation and gender identity and you will develop an active coping style that will help you cope with social stigma.

From this way of working, the purpose of the therapist will be to make patients feel that they come to a safe environment, where their emotions, feelings, experiences, and behaviors will be validated with respect to themselves and the world that they surrounds. It is, therefore, a therapy of sexual and gender diversity based on accompaniment and psychological intervention whose objective is to alleviate the discomfort derived from fear, oppression and discrimination, both family and social, that they may have suffered.

• You may be interested: "The 16 types of discrimination (and their causes)"

What are the areas that are being worked on?

People who belong to the group may face different situations from other people. Thus, require more specific and specialized care.

The specific areas on which it works are the following:

• Acceptance of one's own sexual and affective orientation, both homosexual and bisexual.
• Self-affirmation and visibility of the orientation and / or identity.
• Overcoming traumas and consequences derived from LGBTphobic discrimination.
• Help transgender people during the process of building their gender identity.
• Accompaniment for LGBT families.
• Intervention in the family acceptance process.
• Intervention in couple relationships and affective bonding.

Conclution

Being part of the LGBT community does not imply being different when it comes to going to a psychologist, since each person can have the same symptoms or problems of anxiety, depression, self-esteem, stress etc. However, and as reflected in the previous section, there are certain situations or problems that are specific to this community. Therefore, it is advisable to go to a psychologist specialized in the problems of the LGBT community.