Celebrating Pride Month: Supporting LGBTQIA+ Families at Nashville Collaborative Counseling Center
June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, honor its history, and recognize the ongoing struggles for equality and acceptance. At Nashville Collaborative Counseling Center (NCCC), we are dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health services to all individuals, including LGBTQIA+ families and individuals. We understand the unique challenges they face and are committed to being a supportive ally in their mental health journeys.
LGBTQIA+ individuals are more than twice as likely to experience a mental health disorder during their lifetime compared to their heterosexual counterparts.
Alarmingly, nearly 8% of LGBTQ+ individuals and almost 27% of transgender individuals report being outright denied needed healthcare.
How We Support LGBTQIA+ Families
Recognizing and Addressing Bias in Mental Health Training
At NCCC, we understand the impact that biases in mental health care can have on LGBTQIA+ individuals. We are committed to continuous training and education for our staff to recognize and address these biases, ensuring that you receive equitable and effective care.
Creating Safe and Affirming Spaces
A welcoming and supportive environment is crucial for effective mental health care. Our commitment is to create safe spaces where you and your family feel affirmed and respected. By implementing clear policies for handling discriminatory behavior, we ensure a secure and inclusive atmosphere for all our clients.
Tailoring Support to Individual Needs
Your experiences and needs are unique, and our team takes the time to understand your family dynamics, challenges, and identities to develop a tailored care plan for you. We create individualized care plans and provide resources that cater to diverse families.
Advocating for Inclusive Resources
There is a significant gap in resources for LGBTQIA+ families in mental health care. We advocate for and provide inclusive resources to bridge this gap and ensure that all families receive the support they need.
Featured Therapist
We are proud to have therapists who specialize in LGBTQIA+ mental health. Meet Michael, one of our newest dedicated professionals, and hear his words of encouragement for this community.
Michael Stover, MLC
Accepting New Clients
“Before coming out, everything can seem so focused on that aspect of being an LGBTQIA person, that is, simply being an out and open person. Sometimes, after coming out, a person may feel more pressure than they did before. Pressure to be "gay enough" or conform to certain expectations of who and what they are based on media depictions of what being a particular stripe of the LGBTQIA community looks like.
It is essential to know that there is no wrong or right way to be authentically you. There will be aspects of the community at large that appeal to you and others that don't. It may take some time, but eventually, you will find your people within the community who not only value you for the unique queer individual you are but who also value you for all of the other important aspects of your identity. Being authentically yourself is the quickest way to find those individuals.”
Join Us in Making a Difference
At NCCC, we believe in the power of support, understanding, and acceptance. By recognizing biases, creating safe spaces, tailoring support, and advocating for inclusive care, we aim to provide the best possible mental health services for LGBTQIA+ families. We are committed to ensuring that no family or individual has to navigate these challenges alone.
If you or a loved one are seeking compassionate and inclusive mental health care, schedule an appointment with us today. Join us in being an ally and creating a more inclusive and supportive healthcare system for all.
Healing happens together.
