• Gender identity, including gender confusion, transitioning, and dealing with prejudice and discrimination
• Sexual orientation, involves disclosing one’s sexual orientation, discovering one’s sexual identity, and overcoming prejudice and discrimination based on sexual orientation.
• Sexual dysfunction, including problems with arousal, desire, and orgasmic capacity
• Sexual trauma, such as dealing with the fallout from sexual assault or abuse
• Relationship problems, such as overcoming prejudice and discrimination in partnerships, navigating non-traditional relationships, and forging wholesome connections.
• Self-esteem and body image in relation to one’s gender and sexual orientation
• Gender and sexuality-related family dynamics and parenting
• Gender- and sexuality-related workplace and career concerns
• Finding and using gender- and sexuality-related healthcare.

There are several ways to find a therapist who specializes in treating issues related to sexuality and gender identity:

1. Request recommendations from medical professionals, close friends, or family members who have used therapists successfully.
2. To find therapists in your area who specialize in sexuality and gender identity, contact professional associations like the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association or the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).
3. Consult online directories for therapists that specialize in addressing issues connected to sexuality and gender identity, such as Psychology Today and GoodTherapy.org.
4. Ask your insurance provider if they have a list of local therapists who specialize in sexual orientation and gender identity.
5. Consider contacting LGBTQIA+ centers, campus counseling services at colleges, or other groups that may have a list of therapists who specialize in sexuality and gender identity issues.

Before making an appointment, it’s crucial to speak with the therapist, ask them questions, and feel at ease around them. Additionally, confirm that the therapist employs an affirmative approach and is qualified, experienced, and licensed to work with issues relating to sexual orientation and gender identity.

Yes, there are a number of self-help tools accessible for people struggling with sexuality and gender identity concerns. Several instances include:

• Books: There are numerous books that offer knowledge, comfort, and direction to people struggling with sexuality and gender identity concerns. Some well-known books on the subject include “The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man’s World” by Alan Downs, “Transgender 101: A Simple Guide to a Complex Issue” by Nicholas Teich, and “The Gender Quest Workbook: A Guide for Teens and Young Adults Exploring Gender Identity” by Rylan Jay Testa, Deborah Coolhart, Jayme Peta.
• Online Support Groups: For anyone struggling with sexuality and gender identity issues, there are a ton of online support groups available. These groups give people a secure, private, and encouraging setting in which to connect with others who share their experiences.
• Website: There are various websites that offer resources, information, and assistance to people struggling with sexuality and gender identity concerns. Some popular websites include the Human Rights Campaign, The Trevor Project, and PFLAG.

Depending on the person’s health plan, there may or may not be insurance coverage for counseling connected to concerns with gender identity and sexual orientation. Therapy services are not covered by OHIP unless they are provided by a medical professional.

• No, counseling cannot alter a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation. Sexual orientation and gender identity are intrinsic components of an individual’s identity and cannot be altered through therapy or other interventions. Conversion therapy—also known as therapy intended to alter a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity—has received widespread criticism from organizations of trained psychologists and physicians.
• Conversion therapy, also known as reparative therapy, is a harmful practice aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Major mental health organizations, including the American Psychological Association, the American Medical Association, and the World Health Organization, have all condemned this practice, claiming that it is ineffective, potentially harmful, and can lead to depression, anxiety, and suicide.
• The goal of therapy should be to assist the patient embrace and understand who they are, not to try to alter them, while also respecting their sexual orientation and gender identity.
• In a supportive and non-judgmental setting, therapy can assist people who are having trouble accepting their sexual orientation or gender identity in understanding and processing their feelings and navigating any obstacles they may be facing.
• Finding a therapist who is skilled and experienced in addressing sexuality and gender identity issues is crucial. The therapist should also utilize a positive approach, which means that they recognize and support the patient’s sexual orientation and gender identity.