by Stacey Vinci
The holiday
season can hold high expectations for love, laughter, joy, celebration, and
connection among friends and family. However for some (or many) of us, the
holiday season can also bring up pain, discomfort, stress, family tension and
conflict, and feelings of depression and anxiety. With this mix of expectations
and real experiences, the holidays can require a significant amount of energy
and can result in some serious introspection as we process all of the personal
and family issues this season can evoke. For folks in the LGBTQ community,
particularly youth, there is another level of complexity. Often these teens can
struggle with issues surrounding self-identity; particularly the lack of
freedom and support from friends and family in expressing their true and
genuine self and the extra added pressure and fear of judgement and
non-acceptance from extended family. In the coming weeks, as we all begin to
engage in the celebration and joy of the holiday season, let’s also keep in
mind those who are struggling, especially those whose internal struggles may
not always be visible on the outside. Providing support and encouragement to
LGBTQ youth is especially important during this time.
Here are some
quick tips for parents of LGBTQ youth:
1.
If you think your
child may be experiencing issues with gender identity or sexual orientation,
the most important first step is to create an open, safe, and trusting place
for communication and support.
2.
Be
mindful of signs that your teen is especially struggling during this holiday
time:
a.
Changes
in eating/sleeping patterns
b.
Withdrawal
from friends/family
c.
Changes
in mood/affect (sadness, anger, irritability)
3.
Put in place the
professional support system that you and your child/family will need during
this time. By contacting a therapist or counselor specializing in this area,
you now have a built-in system of support, resources, and guidance through each
step of your child’s process in achieving a positive identity and increased
support, comfort and engagement throughout the holiday season.
For more
information on individual/group openings or alternate resources to help support
you and child through the holiday season, contact Stacey at staceymvinci@gmail.com or
267-989-9113.
Stacey M. Vinci,
M.A., LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working with teens and
their families struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma-related issues.
She also specializes in working with youth in the LGBTQ community, particularly
teens identifying as gender non-conforming or transgender. Stacey’s weekly LGBTQ Teen Therapy Group is currently accepting new
members.
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