[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”yes” hide_on_mobile=”no” status=”published” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ padding_top=”0px” padding_right=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” padding_left=”0px” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ type=”legacy” flex_align_items=”stretch” flex_column_spacing=”0px” border_sizes_top=”0px” border_sizes_bottom=”0px” border_sizes_left=”0px” border_sizes_right=”0px”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”center” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”no” center_content=”yes” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” background_image_id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ spacing_left_medium=”” spacing_right_medium=”” spacing_left_small=”” spacing_right_small=”” spacing_left=”” spacing_right=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ padding_top_medium=”” padding_right_medium=”” padding_bottom_medium=”” padding_left_medium=”” padding_top_small=”” padding_right_small=”” padding_bottom_small=”” padding_left_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” hover_type=”none” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”true”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]
I am worthy of love and acceptance.
My identity is valid.
I am allowed to make decisions that are right for me.
I value who I am.
The above statements are all examples of affirmations, or positive statements that can help people overcome negative thoughts and low self-esteem. When affirmations are repeated often, many individuals start to believe them, allowing them to make positive changes in their lives. For LGBTQ individuals, affirmations can be particularly useful in the development of positive self-esteem and self-acceptance.
The Power of Positive Affirmations for LGBTQ Individuals
You may have known about your sexuality or gender for a long time, but still find yourself struggling to embrace it because a loved one refuses to accept your authentic self. Alternatively, you may have internalized prejudices against the LGBTQ community that make you feel ashamed about who you are. Whatever your reasons are for having a low self-esteem, affirmative therapy is a useful tool that can be used to overcome the stigma surrounding your gender or sexuality. 
Affirmative therapy throws out the notion that being anything but heterosexual or cisgender is in itself a problem. Instead, affirmation helps you to embrace your LGBTQ identity and raise your self-esteem. Affirmation can also be a key component in recovery from other mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, or body dysmorphic disorder, stemming from your lack of self-acceptance.
Far too many LGBTQ individuals are raised in homes and communities that denounce their sexuality as “bad” or “wrong.” Regardless of what anyone says, know this: your sexuality should not just be tolerated, but celebrated. In LGBTQ-affirmative therapy, we can help you understand and accept your thoughts, feelings, and desires as natural and okay. By becoming more comfortable with who you are and what you want, you can become happier, healthier, and satisfied with life.
Challenges LGBTQ Individuals Face that May Decrease Self-Esteem
- Stigma in society
- Lack of acceptance from family, friends, and peers
- Internalized prejudices against the LGBTQ community
- Denial of gender or sexual orientation
- Concerns for safety if outed
- Bullying or homophobic comments
- Negative stereotypes
Affirmation Counseling for Positive Self-esteem
Counseling can help you to not just accept – but love – your LGBTQ identity and raise your self-esteem. While affirmation therapy is not exclusive to LGBT communities, the extra challenges you are forced to overcome may make you a good candidate for affirmation therapy. Affirmation therapy can help you to:
- Increase self esteem
- Promote self-acceptance and pride in your identity
- Overall increase in psychological well-being
- Manage stress levels
There is an abundance of research that shows the benefits of positive affirmation. At the same time, affirmation does not come easily to everyone, especially if you are struggling to accept your identity. That’s where we can come in.
Your LGBTQ-Friendly Counseling Center in St. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg is becoming world-renowned for its LGBTQ-friendly community and we love it! With acceptance and affirmation as two of our counseling center’s core values, we empower our clients in their sexual or gender identity no matter what it is.
Our team is here to meet the mental health needs of LGBTQ individuals and we want you to feel safe, open, and proud about who you are. No matter your reasons for having low-self-esteem, we want you to have a counselor who is knowledgeable about LGBTQ issues who will help to support and raise you up. Call McNulty Counseling today at 727-344-9867 to begin your journey to feeling better.
Begin Affirming Transgender and LGBTQ Counseling in St. Petersburg, FL
You don’t have to struggle alone with fear of rejection or ridicule, depression, anxiety, or discomfort in your own body. You can begin to feel supported and encouraged in your sexual orientation or gender identity exploration. If you find it difficult to accept yourself or experience barriers related to being an LGBTQ individual therapy can help. Our skilled, affirming LGBTQ counselors are experienced in the unique issues and hardships LGBTQ+ people face. We want to help you or your loved one navigate this journey of self-discovery and work through these hardships. If you have questions or would like to start affirming LGBTQ and gender counseling, please contact our St. Petersburg, FL clinic today.
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