LGBTQIA+ individuals often face unique mental health challenges, compounded by stigma and exclusion. Cultural humility asks providers to avoid assumptions and let clients define their own identities.
Rather than using labels prematurely, therapists can ask: “What does gender mean to you?” or “How do you want me to understand your identity?” These questions promote respect and affirm autonomy.
It’s also essential to acknowledge how cultural and queer identities intersect. A queer person of color may face different challenges than a white queer person, and therapy must reflect that complexity.
Humility in this context is about listening, validating, and advocating. It’s about saying: “I may not understand everything—but I am here to learn with you.”
Kanishka