When it comes to working with, and interacting with young people, understanding identity and providing a supportive environment is crucial. According to The Trevor Project, LGBTQ teens are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. In the same article, The Trevor Project indicates that a youth who is LGBTQ+ who has at least one supporting adult in their life is about 40% less likely to attempt suicide.
At Embark Counseling Services, LLC, we are committed to providing a safe and supportive space for those teens who are feeling disconnected from their community. We believe that each person who enters our office deserves to have a safe space to explore their identity, whether that is through trying out a different name, different pronouns, or simply having a chance to say out loud “I think I might be [insert identity here].”
In addition to providing individual therapy services, Embark offers a support group for LGBTQ+ teens, ages 12-18. This group focuses on helping LGBTQ+ teens build a supportive network of peers who are also part of the LGBTQ community. Not only is it important for LGBTQ youth to feel supported by the adults around them, but it’s important that they feel accepted and welcome among their peers as well. We all know how important a social life is for teenagers, and it’s even more important when they can socialize with peers they relate to. The Trevor Project indicates that teens who have support from their peers experience lower instances of anxiety and depression, which strongly supports the safe environment this group provides.
Embark's Teen LGBTQ+ Support Groups
In our LGBTQ Teen Support group, each person not only gets a chance to talk about how they’ve been feeling since the previous session, but they also get a chance to discuss issues that they might experience as an LGBTQ+ teenager. I encourage the group members to become friends and to exchange contact information. When they are not attending group, I want them to feel that they have a strong support system of peers who are accepting and affirming, who they can reach out to when things feel hard. The teens in this group have built a strong rapport with each other, and when a new person joins the group, they create the most welcoming and affirming space for that person, helping them to feel connected.
If joining one of our groups feels scary for your teenager, or if group therapy feels overwhelming, a great resource is The Trevor Project. This website provides resources for parents and members of the LGBTQ+ community, and is a great starting point for anyone who is new to the LGTBQ+ community.
To learn more about our Teen LGBTQ+ Support Groups please visit Teen LGBTQ+ Support Groups.
