Therapy With LGBTQ Parents

This entry describes developmental issues that are relevant for LGBTQ individuals across the life span and examines the role of therapy in supporting LGBTQ parents and families. Understanding the strengths and vulnerabilities that one brings to parenting based on one’s life experiences; family of origin; and cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds is important. Stigma and shame can have implications for both the decision about whether to become a parent, as well as how one parents. Awareness of these issues can be very helpful in therapy for the LGBTQ client.