LGBTQ+ Thailand Counselling and Therapy Services

At Counselling Thailand, our experienced bilingual therapists are here to motivate, empower and guide you through whatever your unique circumstances may be. Some of our counselling services include:

Same-Sex Relationship Counselling: Relationship issues such as trust, jealousy not feeling heard are prevalent among couples these days, regardless of their sexual orientation. However, we find that our LGBTQ+ clients additionally have to deal with an array of issues such as dealing with homophobia, discrimination, bullying, acts of violence, societal oppression and more. Often same-sex couples also struggle to find as many role models or idols for successful partnerships as straight couples. We aim to help our clients feel more comfortable with their identity and accepting their sexual orientation while helping them deal with any adverse issues associated with this.

Anxiety & Depression: Individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ exhibit more signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety as compared to the average straight individual. This is because gay people often have to face many hardships, whether that be coming out and being comfortable with their own identity, being discriminated against, or being bullied for their sexual preference. Unfortunate experiences like this cause them to live in a vulnerable and fragile state constantly worrying about what is next to come. Our therapists aim to guide clients through this chaotic journey to eventually be comfortable in their own skin and live a more fulfilling life.

Childhood Trauma: Being bullied or harassed as a child is clearly a traumatic experience. Some research often suggests that almost 20% of people who have been bullied experience mental health problems at a later stage in life. While some of these issues may be easier to see, others may be harder. Depression is one of the negative consequences of being bullied, which can also lead to suicidal thoughts and ideation within individuals. Our experienced therapists help you to dive deeper into your past traumas and repressed memories and find a healthier way to work through current issues.

Self-Esteem: While a lot of LGBTQ+ individuals believe society is more accepting of them today than they were in the past, the bottom line remains that there is still a lingering obstacle to being completely accepted. The lack of feeling like they fit in or are accepted by society often leads to long-lasting self-confidence and self-esteem issues. We help tackle the root cause of the self-esteem issues and empower our clients to know their worth, regardless of how they identify.

Substance & Alcohol Abuse Counselling: Individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ have also reported higher rates of alcohol and substance abuse because while it may work as a temporary fix, it can lead to lifelong repercussions across all aspects of life. At Counselling Thailand, our therapists have immense experience working with substance and alcohol abuse with a combined 30 years of experience specialising in the field.

Mental Wellbeing Challenges for the LGBTQ+ Community in Thailand

Mental wellbeing can often be overlooked as a part of health; however, it is one of the most important factors. The LGBTQ+ community in Thailand faces challenges that may severely impact their long-term wellbeing, which usually relates back to the stigma and prejudice which exists in our society today.

Research suggests individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ experience mental health problems at higher rates. A recent study which was conducted found that 61% of them suffer from depression, 45% suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and approximately 36% had developed anxiety disorders. Additionally, it was noted that 40% of transgender individuals had attempted suicide in their lives. However, it is important to remember if connected to the right resources and with the correct support and guidance, you will have a good chance of coping successfully.

Although mental health problems such as depression, self-harm, alcohol and suicidal thoughts can affect everyone, they’re prevalent among the LGBTQ+ community. Being LGBTQ+ is not the cause of these problems, however, some experiences LGBTQ+ people go through in their lives can negatively impact their mental health, some examples of these are:

• Discrimination
• Harassment
• Homophobia
• Rejection
• Bullying
• Social Isolation
• Violence
• Sexual Abuse
• Eating Disorders
• Sexually Transmitted
• Disease
• Stress
• Self-Harm
• Suicidal Ideation