Supporting Family Members Of LGBTQ+ People

As mental health providers, you may talk to family members in distress, or who describe family conflict related to their loved one’s 1 LGBTQ+ identity. It is important that you know how to effectively support families through these challenging discussions. The goal should be to meet family members “where they are” with their own experiences, worries, and questions while simultaneously modeling an affirmative stance toward LGBTQ+ identities. Research has shown that when families support and affirm their LGBTQ+ loved ones, it reduces anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, harmful substance use, and other negative life and health outcomes for the LGBTQ+ person (Ryan, 2009). It is imperative that we provide non-judgmental spaces for families to seek support while also offering them resources that will improve their abilities to affirm their LGBTQ+ family member.