The dynamic LGBTQIA+ community includes an array of individuals who, while vibrant and diverse, also face unwarranted and harmful marginalized treatment by society. This cultural criticism can both lead to and exacerbate mental health challenges for LGBTQIA+ individuals. LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists work to create a safe, enriching space for LGBTQIA+ community members so they can embrace their identities confidently and contentedly. Learn more about LGBTQIA+ mental health in the below Q&A with Thrive Wellness Waco program coordinator and LGBTQIA+ affirming clinician Austin Daron, M.A., LPC-A (supervised by Harris T. Leonard, Ph.D., LPC-S).

The acronym LGBTQIA+ describes a community of members that possess sexual orientations other than heterosexual and gender identifications other than cisgender, a term that refers to those whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. Each letter or symbol contained within LGBTQIA+ represents a designation within the community.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) , LGBTQIA+ individuals are two to four times more likely to experience mental health concerns compared to the general population. Depression , anxiety , self-harm , and suicide are widespread among the queer community. Unfortunately, within the LGBTQIA+ youth population, all mental health conditions are even more pervasive, including depressive symptoms and suicidality. Struggles related to suicide are most prevalent among transgender youth who are twice as likely to attempt suicide compared to lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and questioning youth, according to NAMI .

Many adults and youths in the queer community deal with symptoms of trauma, oftentimes stemming from the widespread discrimination towards the group. The societal stigmas associated with being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community may also encourage physical and verbal abuse of those within the group, further contributing to their risk of experiencing trauma. To deflect cultural stigmas, many in the queer community hide their true identities and attempt to fit into social classifications more acceptable to the general public. Mental health conditions have more space to develop within this demoralizing environment. 

Many LGBTQIA+ individuals have a tough time finding clinicians who are a part of or understand their community. If they’ve faced past mistreatment, they may also find it difficult to trust clinicians to support them. More and more clinicians, however, are moving towards an LGBTQIA+ affirming approach. These providers work to foster a sense of belonging, affirm their clients’ sexual orientations or gender identities, support them in embracing their true selves, and help foster an LGBTQIA+ accepting community.

Most LGBTQIA+ individuals don’t seek therapy because they’re queer. Instead, they struggle with a diverse array of mental health challenges that require personalized treatment. LGBTQIA+ affirming clinicians won’t focus on a client’s sexual orientation or gender identity as a condition that requires treatment. Instead, they’ll apply evidence-based approaches that target the individual’s mental health struggles, such as by implementing trauma-based modalities to treat severe mental suffering stemming from being a member of a marginalized group. 

Because the LGBTQIA+ community is so broad and we’re all just humans attempting to navigate life’s complexities, individuals of any sexual orientation or gender identity can benefit from exploring their deepest needs. From there, individuals will be able to take steps toward meeting those needs. For example, if a person is craving a hug, there may be a deeper need for comfort, love, or connection that’s fueling the desire for an embrace. Only when individuals understand their core needs can they engage in actions that satisfy their base longings. A mental health professional can help facilitate this inner examination of foundational needs that may be going unmet and guide clients in implementing strategies to fulfill any sense of deprivation. 

At Thrive Wellness, not only are all sexual orientations and gender identities welcome, but they’re encouraged to embrace their truest selves. Our LGBTQIA+ affirming clinicians create a safe space that helps clients heal any mental or behavioral health struggles, implement skills that promote resilience, and lead an authentic life. Reach out to learn more about our outpatient therapy services.

Austin Daron attended the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor where he earned both a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology in 2015 and a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling in 2020 before becoming a licensed professional counselor-associate (LPC-A) under the supervision of Harris T. Leonard, Ph.D. Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S).

His career spans supporting higher levels of care, such as partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) and intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). At Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center, he served as a program therapist where he facilitated group therapy for adolescents and adults in treatment. Prior to that, he provided individual and group therapy to students in the University Counseling Center at Baylor University while simultaneously working with a diverse underserved population at the Community Counseling Center in Belton, Texas.

Austin is passionate about meeting clients where they are and strives to work hand-in-hand with them to identify their needs and explore tools and support strategies that meet those needs. He strives to collaborate and find common humanity with clients in order to promote healing. Austin’s clinical specialties include treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, depression, trauma, crisis intervention, self-harm, suicidal ideation, perfectionism, life transition, adjustment disorder, stress management, and LGBTQIA+ affirming. As a program coordinator at Thrive Wellness Waco, Austin joins a collective of caring clinicians committed to nurturing the well-being of the Waco community

When his time isn’t occupied offering help to others, Austin enjoys listening to audiobooks and podcasts, playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends, and caring for his two house-panthers, Corvus and Amaya, alongside his partner.

The post LGBTQIA+ Mental Health: A Q&A With Thrive Wellness Waco Program Coordinator and LGBTQIA+ Affirming Clinician Austin Daron, M.A., LPC-A, Supervised by Harris T. Leonard, Ph.D., LPC-S first appeared on Thrive Wellness.