Thread by @dwcounsellor

Why do all therapists need to know how to talk respectfully about sexuality and gender identity? I was interviewed for a podcast for the first time and was asked this question, but I found myself tripping over my words! So here goes #TherapistsConnect 1/

Firstly, #therapy research shows that #LGBTQ plus and other Gender, Sex and Relationship Diverse (GSRD) people tend to self-censor in therapy and assume that talking about sexuality and gender identity is "off limits". Why is this? 2/

Well, #LGBTQ plus people grow up surrounded by #homophobia, #biphobia and #transphobia (yes, it still exists folks, both in the UK and in other contexts). Most of us internalise it to some extent, and many learn to protect ourselves by staying quiet about "being different". 3/

Language about #LGBTQ plus people has and is used to abuse, pathologise and marginalise us (just look at what's happening to our #trans siblings right now, with their right to exist, tell us who they are, and access services being attacked) 4/

And let's not forget that #therapists mental health professions have ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED in the pathologisation of sex and gender diversity until relatively recently - according to WHO homosexuality was a "mental illness" until 1990! 5/

Being trans or non-binary was considered a "disorder" by WHO until 2018! So-called "conversion therapy" (although banned by all the main counselling organisations) is still practiced in the UK right now. 6/

So it's not surprising that some clients don't feel safe opening up about sexuality and gender identity in therapy. 8/

Although most therapists want to provide inclusive and affirming therapy to our diverse clients, research shows that most report that their training prepares them poorly to do this. 9/

If therapists haven't had the opportunity to understand sex, gender and relationship diversity, and reflect on the negative messages they have internalised from society, they risk perpetuating these in therapy. 10/

Sadly, research also shows evidence of these negative messages (homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, heteronormativity and cissexism) impacting clients (e.g. through therapist microaggressions). 11/

As a profession, we need to do better! Individual therapists must seek our specific training and reflective practice opportunities before working with #LGBTQ plus clients, but crucially training and membership organisations need to re-evaluate the curriculum. 12/

Therapy training must meaningfully incorporate understanding of LGBTQ+ cultures and identities, different relationship styles and sexual practices, societal issues such as #transphobia, and fundamentals of diverse gender and sexual identity development. 13/

The good news is that a more GSRD-inclusive therapy will benefit ALL clients because #heteronormativity and #cissexism hurt ALL of us by holding us to rigid, arbitrary (and sometimes damaging) standards, which are largely invisible unless we become curious about them. 14/

If you're a therapist and not sure where to start, I recommend this wonderful guide by @megjohnbarker. bacp.co.uk/media/5877/bac…. Thanks for reading!

Please feel free to add your own thoughts below!