LGBTQ + ADHD = đź’ś
It’s a running joke that the Venn diagram between the LGBTQ community and the ADHD community is in fact a circle. Correlation is not causation but there’s lots of reasons for why neurodivergence, queer identity, and sexuality would all overlap in the most delightful ways. If you are looking for an LGBTQ affirming therapist to help you with ADHD and you identify as a member of both communities, yay! You’ve come to the right place. If you happen to be cisgendered and heterosexual and looking for ADHD therapy, why might it still be important to have an LGBTQ affirming therapist?
LGBTQ affirming therapists can help ADHD clients step into their neurodivergent identity. Most ADHD clients have spent their lives either knowing their diagnosis but not understanding it or were late diagnosed as adults. They have likely been trying to live life as a neurotypical person in the same way that LGBTQ clients often tried to follow the heteronormative scripts that dominate our society. LGBTQ affirming therapists can help ADHD clients navigate the shame and grief that can come up in this journey and celebrate their authentic identity.
LGBTQ affirming therapists can help ADHD clients with the “coming out” process. Just like coming out as part of the LGBTQ community can be joyful and terrifying in equal measure, telling people that you are ADHD can be a wild ride. There is still unfortunately social stigma around neurodivergence in general so LGBTQ affirming therapists can help you determine who you want to tell and how you want to talk about your ADHD to other people.
LGBTQ affirming therapists are trained to help without relying on a “one size fits all” model of interventions. They already know that it’s important to think outside of the box and are used to finding alternative ways of interacting with the world. This is a perfect fit for helping with ADHD, as every neurodivergent brain sparkles in its own unique way. An LGBTQ affirming therapist is prepared to find ways to help that suit you even if they don’t follow a traditional narrative.
Though neurodivergence and queer identity are two separate things, experience in one sphere can certainly help with the other. Having an LGBTQ affirming therapist can help you on your ADHD journey as they can help you better understand your neurodivergent identity and experience of the world. Schedule a free consultation with one of our wonderful LGBTQ affirming therapists today to see if we are a good fit for you.