What Benefits Will You Have As A Gay Male Therapist?
While it's very uncommon to have a person's sexual identity come into play in the workplace, when it comes to counseling, being a gay male therapist can benefit you in more ways than one. You can reach the type of client who will best benefit from what you have to offer and you can feel great about reaching a demographic you understand well.
What benefits will you have as a gay male therapist? While you don't have to lead with your sexual orientation and you don't have to divulge this private information about yourself unless you want to, here are some of the benefits you may notice in doing so.
You relate to your patients in an approachable way
While there has been a lot of acceptance and forward-thinking when it comes to homosexuality, there is still discrimination and misunderstandings still associated with sexual orientation outside of what is considered traditional. Patients who struggle with their own sexual identities may feel more comfortable working with a gay male therapist than they would with a more traditional therapist.
You may be seen as a relatable person as well as a professional who your patients can approach. You can impact several lives who need counseling most in a way that is natural to you and also uses your professional skill.
You are able to serve a niche that needs you
Many of your patients will have other concerns outside of sexual orientation and may not even identify as gay or of other sexual orientation, but they may turn to you because they feel you can understand or aid them in other personal and less traditional concerns. You can serve a specific niche that needs you most, and also serve the public who could also utilize your services in a more traditional sense.
Many people fear going to a counselor because they feel they will be judged, so if you are a gay male therapist and open about this personal part of your life, you can help people who would otherwise not go to counseling at all realize they can do so without judgment or blame. Since a counselor's job is to walk people through emotions, experiences, and other things they have concerns about, being approachable in all ways so you can serve a niche in the public who may otherwise not seek help is great. You can benefit in many ways as a gay male therapist and can work with your patients as you see fit.
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