How to find a LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist in Tennessee
Since Tennessee is one of the states that seems to be creating more legislation every month to limit the rights of LGBTQIA+ folks, it may be surprising to know that there are in fact many LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists in Tennessee! It’s more important than ever to connect with a mental health professional who you know is a safe person to talk about your whole self with, who can affirm all the parts of your identity, and who is informed on news and events affecting the LGBTQIA+ community.
Where you live matters
If you live in one of Tennessee’s larger cities, like Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, or Chattanooga, there are definitely affirming therapists near you who offer both in-person and virtual services! If you live in a smaller town or a more rural area, you may be limited to seeing someone virtually for therapy.
If a provider is licensed in the state of Tennessee, they can see any client who is within Tennessee state lines with their license. Not all providers will offer virtual services, but many do!
Here are some ways to find a therapist in Tennessee who is LGBTQIA+ affirming:
Directories:
Psychology Today is the largest nationwide directory of mental health professionals including psychologists, counselors, clinical social workers, and psychiatrists/psych nurse practitioners. They have multiple filters in their search tool including “LGBTQ+”.
If they have an armchair logo with a city name and zip code next to it, that means they offer in-person services in that zip code.
If there is a camera icon, that means they offer online services. Some providers may be listed as “online only” while some may show “serves area.” Either way you would want to look at their page to see where their physical office is if you are interested in in-person services.
Therapy Den was created as an alternative to Psychology Today and is more focused on inclusivity and progressive values. They have different search filters than Psychology Today based on their stated values.
They feature free quizzes on their website ranging from “Am I Bisexual” to “Do I Need Therapy” to “Trauma Test.”
InclusiveTherapists.com is “a social justice and liberation-oriented mental health directory, community, and resource hub” and features therapists as well as coaches and other “healing” professionals like naturopaths, acupuncturists, and more.
Reclamation Collective has a therapist directory for providers who have experience working with forms of religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and more in this realm. They list “therapists, healing artists, somatic practitioners, and solidarity workers.” The provider will note in their profile if they have experience working with LGBTQIA+ folks.
Local organizations
If your city or region has a Pride or other LGBTQIA+ organization, check their website or visit their events to see if they have a vetted resource list.
If your city or region has a church that is explicitly LGBTQIA+ affirming (whether you want to go to that church or not), you can reach out to the church and see if they have a vetted resource list. Episcopal churches are usually a safe bet!
Paying for therapy
If you need to use your insurance to pay for therapy, you can usually search for providers using your insurance company’s online system. This is the most straightforward way to make sure they take YOUR specific plan. I usually recommend cross-checking people you find from the insurance portal with Psychology Today or other online listings.
You should never be uncertain or confused going into therapy about how much it will cost you, regardless of if you are using insurance or are seeing a self-pay provider. Per the law, you should receive this information in writing. Don’t be afraid to ask!
Questions to ask a new therapist if you are LGBTQIA+
If you are a queer or trans person, when connecting with any new mental health professional, here are some questions you should consider asking them:
What is your experience working with the LGBTQIA+ community?
What does being “LGBTQIA+ affirming” mean to you?
Do you incorporate religious beliefs into therapy at all? If so, how?
Are you familiar with the WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) standards of care?
Questions about their work with the intersection of any other marginalized identities you may have (neurodivergence, BIPOC, etc).
Therapy can be life-changing in so many ways, but it needs to be a safe space for folks to fully experience the benefits of it.
You deserve to have your vulnerability honored by someone who appreciates you for who you are.
If you’re interested in working with a Queer-identifying therapist in Tennessee who has specialized training in treating religious harm and trauma, reach out to me today via the button below!
