LGBTQIA+

Mental Health Care in Wilmington, DE

If you’re a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, you can experience the same mental health concerns as anyone else, while also facing unique stressors related to identity, discrimination, stigma, or lack of acceptance. Vida Adansi, LCP, Adekunle Gbadamosi, MD, and the team at Integrated Health & Wellness Services in Wilmington, Delaware, provide supportive mental health care to address these challenges and promote emotional well-being. Call the Integrated Health & Wellness Services office or request an appointment online today for LGBTQIA+-affirming care.

LGBTQIA+ FAQ's

What does LGBTQIA+ mean, and who does it include?


LGBTQIA+ is an umbrella term that describes diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. The letters commonly refer to people who are:

  • Lesbian
  • Gay
  • Bisexual
  • Transgender
  • Queer or questioning
  • Intersex
  • Asexual

The “+” recognizes additional identities that may not be represented by these letters, including pansexual, nonbinary, and other identities.


Every LGBTQIA+ person's experience is unique, and you may use different words to describe yourself. 


The team at Integrated Health & Wellness Services affirms your experiences and identity. Understanding these distinctions helps the team provide a more respectful and inclusive environment when you’re seeking mental health services.


What mental health challenges can LGBTQIA+ people experience?


Just like people in any population, LGBTQIA+ people may experience:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Stress
  • Loneliness
  • Other mental health concerns

However, experiences such as discrimination, bullying, rejection, family conflict, social stigma, or pressure to conceal one's identity can contribute to additional stress.


These experiences may affect your self-esteem, relationships, sense of safety, and overall emotional well-being. Young people may face particular challenges when they lack acceptance or support at home, school, or in their communities.


It’s important to recognize that being LGBTQIA+ is not a mental health disorder. Mental health concerns can arise from many factors, and supportive environments and access to affirming care can play an important role in your well-being.


What can I expect from LGBTQIA+-affirming therapy?


LGBTQIA+-affirming therapy (affirmative therapy) provides a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where you can discuss your concerns while having your identity respected. 


Your Integrated Health & Wellness Services provider may ask about the name and pronouns you use and seek to understand how your identity, relationships, family, community, and personal experiences may affect your mental health.


Therapy can address concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, trauma, self-esteem, or stress. It can also provide space to explore identity, coming out, family dynamics, or other personal experiences when these topics are relevant to your goals.


Affirming therapy doesn’t seek to change who you are as a person. Instead, treatment focuses on the concerns you want to address and supports your ability to make decisions that align with your values and well-being.


To start a therapy journey where you can feel respected, heard, and comfortable discussing the issues that matter to you, call Integrated Health & Wellness Services or request an LGBTQIA+ consultation online today.