Is your therapist the right fit for you? Do you even want or have access to one? In the previous episode, Dr. Rick Grant-Coons (he/him) shared out the allyship tip "Just trust that people know who they are best. They know themselves best and just believe that they can tell you who they are and that is the truth, right? Like, let people tell you who they are. And just believe, accept, celebrate, find out what works for them, and not try to define for them or tell them who they should be, what they are. How they're doing this wrong, you know, just instead just say, "Hey, I'm going to trust in you and I'm going to learn who you are by you telling me and that's how I will support you and figure out how we all can navigate this world a little bit better."

In this mini-episode, host Chris Angel (they/them) discusses some of their own experiences with therapy over the years. Self-reflection questions/journaling prompts for people in or seeking therapy:

1. Does the mental health professional honor your identities? Is it important for them to reflect any of your communities?

2. Are they a specialist or have any training in the topics most important for you to work through?

3. Are there any barriers that make it difficult to see them?

4. Do you feel safe with them?

5. Do you have a gut feeling telling you it isn’t a good match?

6. Does the relationship feel healthy?

7. Do you feel you’ve learned all you can from them?

And now, for mental health professionals. Before taking on a new client or patient, ask yourself:

1. Is this a community I’ve learned about?

2. Do I feel I can serve this community without inflicting unintentional harm?

3. Do I consider myself LGBTQ+ friendly or am I an affirming provider?

4. Where do I get my information from? Is it people with that lived experience?

5. Do I ask my patients or clients to educate me?

6. Do I ask questions that satisfy my curiosity or are they important for the work we’re doing together?

7. Do I regularly attend educational opportunities for this community?

8. Do I find the balance of leaning on my knowledge of this community, while not trying to put my client into a box?

Resources, references, and full transcripts for each episode are available at www.allyshipisaverb.com

Host Chris Angel (they/them) has a background in LGBTQ+ education, community organizing, and social work. Mini-episodes feature any shout-outs, listener-submitted comments and questions, and a dive deeper into the allyship tip the previous guest shared. Please consider following where you listen to podcasts and become a monthly financial supporter! Keep the conversation going on Instagram @GenderSexualityInfo