Inclusive Counselling: 5 Must-Do’s for LGBTQIA+ Allyship 

LGBTQIA+ individuals often face unique stressors that contribute to elevated levels of psychological distress. Yet, many report feeling misunderstood or unsupported in therapeutic settings (Bishop et al., 2022). As counsellors, cultivating cultural humility and adopting inclusive practices isn’t just important, it’s essential to build a trusting therapeutic relationship and provide effective care. Take a look at 5 things you can do to foster and inclusive practice:

Be aware of your own biases.  

What role do you play in your practice that contributes to the invisibility of LGBTQIA+ members? Service providers who strive to be inclusive actively work towards deconstructing heteronormative practices and validate sexual minority identities (Kilicaslan & Petrakis, 2019). For example, when asking about a client’s partner, use “they/them” pronouns to avoid making assumptions. 

Expand your definition of support networks.

Counsellors working with LGBTQIA+ clients should be mindful that traditional family structures may not always represent a client’s primary source of support. Many individuals rely on chosen families, such as close friends or peer networks, especially when their family of origin is unsupportive. Recognizing and validating these support systems is key to building trust and offering truly client-centered care. 

Engage in affirming practices. 

Make a conscious effort to use clients’ correct pronouns, avoid heteronormative language (like assuming the sex of a client’s partner), and refrain from pathologizing sexuality. These inclusive practices have been shown to enhance client comfort and signal the counsellor’s acceptance of diverse sexual identities (Bishop et al., 2022). Another inclusive and affirming practice you can engage in is reflecting the language your client uses to describe their self-identity. However, avoid applying labels they haven’t used. If a client expresses internalized homophobia or uses terms in a self-deprecating way, this presents an opportunity for gentle exploration rather than mirroring. Counsellors should also remain aware of how their language may unintentionally reinforce heteronormativity, and engage in ongoing reflection, supervision, or mentorship to build more affirming communication. 

Stay educated.  

Stay informed about LGBTQ+ issues and the best practices for supporting this community. You can do this by attending workshops, reading current literature, and pursuing ongoing training. Committing to continuous learning can strengthen your ability to provide informed, affirming, and competent care

When it comes to identity, language matters, and the most respectful approach is to use the terms someone uses for themselves. For example, if someone describes themselves as queer, it’s generally okay to use that term when referring to them. However, if someone identifies as gay, it wouldn’t be appropriate to refer to them as queer unless they’ve used that term themselves.

There are some situations where language around identity can reflect deeper internal conflict. For instance, if someone identifies as gay but uses the word queer in a negative or self-critical way, this may point to internalized homophobia: the belief, often shaped by societal or cultural pressures, that being LGBTQ+ is wrong. In these cases, it’s important to explore where these beliefs come from and how stigma or discrimination may be impacting their sense of self.

We believe in creating a space where people feel seen and respected in how they describe themselves. For those working in mental health, it’s essential to reflect on how language can (even unintentionally) reinforce heteronormative assumptions — and to remain open to learning, growth, and understanding through reflection, consultation, and community dialogue.

Here are Some Additional Resources for More Information: 

Here are some resources related to this topic:  

• Bishop, J., Crisp, D. A., Grant, J. B., & Scholz, B. (2022). “You say you’re inclusive, but can you show us?” The Importance of Cultural Competence When Working with Sexual Minorities in a Mental Health Setting. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 78(11), 2145–2163. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23434  
• https://societyforpsychotherapy.org/five-things-therapists-can-do-when-working-with-lgbtq-individuals/

Written by: Clara Val Crocker, Practicum Student

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