Online Assessments Bank on Psychology Today that can help you determine what issues you might be struggling with, including anxiety, depression, mood regulation, and addiction: http://psychologytoday.tests.psychtests.com/
Kansas City Psychotherapy Counseling Services – Sexual and Gender Minorities – Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT)(LGBTQIA) Resources
Jeff Peterson is the co-founder of the HEALTHCARE GUILD of Kansas City where you can find a full variety of LGBTQ resources – www.healthcareguild.com
Below are Also Some LGBTQ Counseling Resources
Author of “The Velvet Rage”
Dr. Downs is probably best known as author of The Velvet Rage: Overcoming Trauma of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man’s World. He is also the former CEO of Michael’s House Treatment Center in Palm Springs, California. He is currently the director of the DBT Recovery Center which provides intensive outpatient treatment for addictions. www.alandowns.com
A microaggression as defined by expert, Derald Wing Sue, is described as, “an everyday slight, put down, or insult that people of color, women, LGBT populations, or those who are marginalized experience in their day-to-day interactions with others. Microaggressions often appear to be a compliment, but contain a meta-communication, or hidden insult towards the target group in which it is delivered…. usually from well-intentioned individuals but occur because they are outside the level of conscious awareness of the perpetrator. ”
In light of the recent hate-related tragedy in Orlando, sexual and gender minorities (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning – LGBTQ) have significant reason to feel disenfranchised and even fearful for their safety. If you do not believe me check out some of the recent headlines regarding spiritual leaders who are praising the attack and advocating that more LGBTQ individuals should be killed. Bigotry is once again rearing its ugly head in America and can take shape in a variety of forms, including prejudice and hatred towards non-heteronormative individuals.
Now more than ever individuals who identify as LGBTQ need a mental healthcare provider who will affirm the need for dignity and respect towards all individuals regardless of their sexual or gender identity. This does not mean that we as providers have to proscribe to our client’s beliefs, nor does it mean that we need to lose our authentic self. What this means is that regardless of our own personal beliefs all individuals deserve basic human rights, which includes feeling safe and considered as equally valid as the next person.
Over the next several months we may see an increase in LGBTQ clients seeking professional help in order to deal with vicarious trauma, paranoia and fear, or feelings of disenfranchisement in society. Individuals who are struggling often turn to those in helping professions for validation, affirmation, and respect. Unfortunately, even well-intentioned providers may be widening the gap of disenfranchisement when we accidentally invalidate, systemically erase, or project our own cultural views onto our clients. Many of us come from a place of privilege in dominant society where we do not take the time to understand cultures outside of our own. As a result, we are often less aware of our own biases and how they may have a chilling-effect on those seeking our services.
Minority cultures in particular are more vulnerable to microaggressions due to lower social awareness, limited research/education, and stigmatization resulting from historical prejudice. Those in the helping professions, such as mental healthcare providers, are entrusted to promote the wellness and dignity of potential clients. We therefore have an even greater burden to become culturally proficient. Research has shown that individuals who experience rejection or prejudice from a helping professional may limit their help-seeking behavior, turn towards maladaptive coping measures, and avoid helping professions in general, all of which results in poorer mental health outcome.
Addressing our own bias and exposing ourselves to the lived experiences of other cultures is an important first step in reducing the risk of committing a microaggression. In my August 12th webinar “Reducing Sexual and Gender Identity Microaggressions in Counseling,” we will discuss appropriate terminology, our social ecology of identities, and other cultural competency criteria for better reducing microaggressions against LGBTQ individuals.
Dr. Peterson's Counseling Resources 
