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

Thrive • June 7, 2022

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).

Can you define the term LGBTQIA+ and address any common misconceptions about the meaning of the term?

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.

“L” stands for lesbian which describes homosexual women.
“G” stands for gay which describes homosexual men.
“B” stands for bisexual which describes those who experience attraction to more than one sex or gender.
“T” stands for transgender which describes those whose gender identity doesn’t align with the sex they were assigned at birth.
“Q” stands for queer which is an umbrella term for those who aren’t heterosexual or cisgender. Previously used as a word to oppress, the term queer has in fact been reclaimed by the LGBTQIA+ community as a holistic way to refer to the entire group. Queer can also be used by individuals to describe themselves if they don’t necessarily want to disclose their specific sexual orientation or gender identity. “Q” also stands for questioning, as many are still in the process of exploring their most authentic sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
“I” stands for intersex which describes those with reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t fit within the binaries of “female” or “male.”
“A” stands for asexual which describes those who feel little or no sexual attraction. “A” also stands for aromantic which describes those who feel little or no romantic attraction. Additionally, “A” stands for allies of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“+” represents any sexual orientations and gender identities not designated within the LGBTQIA+ acronym, allowing for change and growth within the community.

What mental health concerns are especially prevalent in the LGBTQIA+ 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 .

Why are LGBTQIA+ individuals at risk for these mental health concerns?

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.

What is an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist?

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.

What are some best practices in treating LGTBTQIA+ individuals who are struggling with mental health?

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.

What are some ways LGBTQIA+ individuals can promote their mental well-being?

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.

LGBTQIA+ AFFIRMING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AT THRIVE

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.

About the Contributor

Thrive Wellness Waco Program Coordinator Austin Daron, M.A., LPC-A

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.

Supervised by Harris T. Leonard, Ph.D., LPC-S

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.

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Your Guide to Higher Levels of Care: How to Decide Which Treatment Level is Right for Your Mental Health

By Erin McGinty Fort, MS, MHA, CPC, LPC-S, CEDS-C • December 18, 2025

Sometimes, people need more support, structure, and monitoring than the typical outpatient setting can provide. When this happens, the treatment team will usually recommend that someone be "stepped up" to a different level of care, or program, that can better meet their needs. I like to think of it as being similar to medication dosages; people need different strengths of medications, or dosages, to get better when they're sick. Stepping someone up to a higher level of care is like increasing the dosage of a medication to match the severity of their symptoms. How Are Higher Levels of Care Different from Standard Outpatient Care? At the core of differentiating higher levels of care from standard outpatient care is the intensity and structure of the treatment. Higher level of care programs tend to offer more days of treatment each week and more hours of treatment per day than in the outpatient setting. Those in higher level of care programs may also meet with their treatment team members more frequently each week. There are more staff present to support someone at or after meals and snacks, or to help those who are having urges to engage in compulsions or other harmful behaviors. Clients in our HLOC programs get access to an assortment of treatment modalities tailored to their individual needs, including personalized therapy sessions, group support, medication management, medical nutrition therapy with a dietitian, and check-ins with our primary care providers. We support clients with personalized treatment plans and regular assessments to monitor and tweak interventions as needed. Higher levels of care also offer increased peer interaction and support. Intensive programs incorporate additional group therapy sessions, which can help those in treatment feel less alone as well as create a greater sense of community. For some people, it can be difficult to devote the time and energy needed to recover while also balancing other responsibilities like school or work. Stepping up to more intensive levels of care allows people to fully dedicate themselves to recovery. As they get better and make progress, a person may be stepped back down to a less intensive level of care to start practicing their recovery in their usual home, school, or work settings while also receiving professional support from their treatment team. What Levels of Care are Available? At Thrive Wellness, we offer four different levels of care to help clients step up (or down) in their treatment when needed: - Outpatient Treatment - weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly meetings with a therapist, psychiatrist, primary care provider, and/or dietitian. - Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) - A minimum of three hours per day, three days per week. - Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) - A minimum of six hours per day, five days per week. - Residential Treatment - Coming soon in 2026, The Greenhouse at Thrive will offer residential treatment for eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. This level of care offers 24-hour support for those aged 12-24 living in our residential treatment center. How To Decide Which Level of Care is Right for You If you're unsure which option is right for you or your loved one, we offer a free assessment that can be completed with our admissions team. In this initial assessment, we'll gather information from you about what you're struggling with, speak with our team of providers, and then make a recommendation for what level of care we feel is the best fit for you and your needs. If you’re experiencing symptoms of an eating disorder, anxiety disorder, or other behavioral or mental health challenges, don’t hesitate to reach out. To get started with our intake process, give us a call at 775-525-8103 or fill out this form . We can’t wait to help you Thrive.

Family Inclusive Recovery: Healing Together in Eating Disorder and OCD Treatment

December 2, 2025

Like the fir tree, a symbol of endurance rooted in hope, our Family Inclusive Recovery (FIR) approach reflects the strength that grows when families face challenges together. At our new residential center “The Greenhouse”, FIR is more than a treatment model, it’s a philosophy of healing that places families at the heart of recovery for adolescents and young adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We believe lasting healing doesn’t happen in isolation; it’s built with the support of families through perseverance, hope, and compassionate care. What Is Family Inclusive Recovery (FIR)? Family Intensive Recovery (FIR) is a specialized and immersive approach that actively engages caregivers as central agents in their child’s healing process. Rather than seeing families as contributors to a problem, we view them as essential partners in recovery. Drawing from two evidence-based frameworks, Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) and Family-Based Treatment (FBT), FIR helps families cultivate resilience, confidence, and connection throughout the journey to recovery. Grounded in SPACE and FBT Through the SPACE model, parents learn how to recognize and reduce well-intentioned but unhelpful behaviors known as accommodations that can reinforce anxiety and OCD symptoms. By shifting from rescuing to supporting and challenging, parents develop the confidence to guide their child through discomfort, helping them build distress tolerance and self-trust. Simultaneously, Family-Based Treatment (FBT) empowers families to take an active, compassionate role in their child’s nutritional and emotional recovery. Parents learn how to support weight and nutritional restoration, disrupt the eating disorder’s patterns, and reestablish boundaries that promote health and growing autonomy. Together, these approaches strengthen both the individual and family system, allowing recovery to take root within an environment of empathy and optimism. From Blame to Collaboration A cornerstone of the FIR model is removing blame. At Thrive, parents are not viewed as the cause of their child’s struggles, but rather as key partners in recovery. Treatment focuses on joining forces to create a safe, supportive environment where: Families learn to sit with their child's discomfort alongside them without rushing to fix or control it. Parents practice compassionate firmness, setting boundaries grounded in care and safety. Teens and caregivers rebuild trust through open, honest communication. This collaborative framework helps families reestablish a sense of connection and confidence, fostering long-term resilience and open communication that extends beyond the treatment setting. Why Family Matters in Recovery Recovery from eating disorders, OCD, or anxiety isn’t a one-person job, it requires integrated care including the family. When families learn to navigate challenges together, they can model emotional regulation, reinforce healthy boundaries, and create conditions for sustained recovery. Through FIR, we aim to strengthen attachment bonds, reshape family interactions, and empower every member of the family to grow. The result is not only symptom reduction but also a deeper sense of unity, hope, and shared endurance, just like the steadfast fir tree that stands resilient through every season. Moving Toward Hope Family Inclusive Recovery invites caregivers and loved ones to become active participants in change. It’s a journey of learning, letting go, and leaning into love and acceptance. Together, families and clinicians can cultivate the courage in clients to face uncertainty, and in doing so, help them discover that recovery is not just possible, but enduring. If you’d like to learn more about Family Intensive Recovery at The Greenhouse or how we support families in eating disorder and OCD treatment, reach out to our team today.

Introducing Thrive's Greenhouse - Opening 2026

November 14, 2025

The Greenhouse at Thrive Wellness A New Chapter of Hope and Healing in Nevada On Friday, November 14 , we gathered with our partners at Molina Healthcare to share an important moment for our community. Together, we celebrated Molina’s generous $50,000 grant , an investment that is helping bring The Greenhouse to life. Their support is not only a financial contribution—it’s a statement of belief in the young people and families of Nevada who deserve access to compassionate, evidence-based mental healthcare close to home. This gathering marked the beginning of something we’ve dreamed about for years: a place designed specifically for adolescents and emerging adults to receive the care, connection, and support they need during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Something New Is Growing In early 2026 , Thrive Wellness will open The Greenhouse , Nevada’s first residential treatment center devoted to adolescents and emerging adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety, and OCD . For too long, families have faced a heartbreaking dilemma—send their child far from home for treatment or go without the specialized care they need. The Greenhouse is our answer to that gap. It will be a place where young people can settle into an environment built for healing, where they are understood, supported, and surrounded by a team that believes in their capacity to recover. The Greenhouse represents a natural extension of our mission. It’s a living expression of our belief that recovery is possible—and that with the right support, families can find their footing again.