At our therapy practice, we believe that everyone deserves to feel seen, safe, and supported—exactly as they are. As therapists, we have the honor of walking alongside people in their most vulnerable moments. For LGBTQ+ individuals, that vulnerability is often compounded by societal stigma, rejection, and discrimination. This is why allyship is not just a buzzword—it’s a vital part of creating a world and a therapeutic environment where healing is truly possible.
What Does It Mean to Be an Ally?
Being an ally means more than expressing support—it means actively standing with and advocating for LGBTQ+ individuals in a way that uplifts, protects, and respects their identities. In the context of therapy and mental health, allyship also means creating affirming spaces where people of all gender identities and sexual orientations feel welcomed and understood.
Mental Health Disparities in the LGBTQ+ Community
LGBTQ+ individuals face significantly higher rates of mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidality. According to The Trevor Project, 41% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. These aren’t just statistics—they’re reflections of the real-world pain that stems from marginalization, bullying, family rejection, and lack of access to affirming care.
Being an ally can help disrupt these harmful patterns.
Why Allyship Matters in Therapy
Therapists hold a unique responsibility—and opportunity—to foster trust and safety. For LGBTQ+ clients, a validating therapist can be life-changing. Affirming care can reduce mental health risks, increase self-acceptance, and build resilience. On the flip side, experiences with non-affirming professionals can retraumatize clients or push them away from seeking care altogether.
This means being an ally in therapy isn’t just “nice to have”—it’s necessary.
Here are a few ways allyship shows up in therapeutic settings:
- Using inclusive language and asking for (and respecting) pronouns.
- Educating ourselves continuously about LGBTQ+ issues, terminology, and lived experiences.
- Challenging biases, both our own and those present in systems or structures that affect our clients.
- Creating a safe and welcoming physical space, including visible signs of support like inclusive literature, Pride symbols, or nondiscrimination policies.
How Everyone Can Be an Ally
Allyship isn’t only for therapists or mental health professionals. Friends, family, coworkers, and community members all have a role to play. Here are some simple but powerful actions:
- Listen without judgment and believe people when they share their identity with you.
- Speak up against anti-LGBTQ+ comments, jokes, or policies—even when it’s uncomfortable.
- Support LGBTQ+ rights through advocacy, education, and voting.
- Celebrate LGBTQ+ joy, not just struggle.
A Commitment to Inclusive Care
At Brickel and Associates, we are committed to providing inclusive, trauma-informed care for LGBTQ+ individuals and families. Whether you’re seeking support as an individual, a couple, or a parent navigating questions around identity, you are welcome here. Our team continues to learn, grow, and advocate—because allyship is not a destination. It’s an ongoing practice rooted in compassion, humility, and action.
We see you. We support you. And we’re honored to walk with you.
If you’re looking for affirming therapy or would like to learn more about our approach to inclusive care, reach out to our team. We’re here to help.
Robyn is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 20+ years of experience providing psychotherapy, as well as the founder and clinical director of a private practice, Brickel and Associates, LLC in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia. She and her team bring a strengths-based, trauma-informed, systems approach to the treatment of individuals (adolescents and adults), couples and families. She specializes in trauma (including attachment trauma) and the use of dissociative mechanisms; such as: self-harm, eating disorders and addictions. She also approaches treatment of perinatal mental health from a trauma-informed lens.
Robyn also guides clients and clinicians who wish to better understand the impact of trauma on mental health and relationships. She has a wide range of post graduate trauma and addictions education and is trained in numerous relational models of practice, including Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT), the Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT), and Imago therapy. She is a trained Sensorimotor Psychotherapist and is a Certified EMDRIA therapist and Approved Consultant. Utilizing all of these tools, along with mindfulness and ego state work to provide the best care to her clients. She prides herself in always learning and expanding her knowledge on a daily basis about the intricacies of treating complex trauma and trauma’s impact on perinatal distress.
She frequently shares insights, resources and links to mental health news on Facebook and Twitter as well as in her blog at BrickelandAssociates.com
To contact Robyn directly:
www.BrickelandAssociates.com
