Pride Saves Lives: Why Affirming Therapy Matters More Than Ever

By: Brooke Pelster-Hess LIMHP, LADC

Every June, Pride flags go up, parades roll out, and communities gather in celebration of LGBTQ+ identity and resilience. But as a therapist—and as a member of the Board of Directors for Norfolk Area Pride—I know Pride is more than a party. It’s a lifeline.

Pride saves lives. So does affirming mental health care.

LGBTQ+ individuals—especially youth—are at higher risk for depression, anxiety, and suicide, not because of who they are, but because of the rejection, erasure, and harm they often face. According to The Trevor Project, LGBTQ+ young people who have access to affirming therapy and supportive environments report significantly lower suicide attempt rates.

As therapists, we are often among the first people entrusted with our clients’ most vulnerable truths. That responsibility comes with the imperative to create truly affirming spaces—where clients know they can be their whole selves without fear of judgment or harm.

Being affirming means more than hanging a rainbow sticker on the door. It means learning the language of inclusion, honoring pronouns and chosen names, understanding the nuances of identity, and actively challenging the systems and assumptions that cause harm. It also means showing up—in our sessions, our practices, and our communities.

I serve on the Norfolk Area Pride board because I believe advocacy doesn’t stop at the therapy room door. Visibility, safety, and belonging matter at every level—from policy to practice to personal connection. And when we, as therapists, stand alongside our LGBTQ+ clients with informed, affirming care, we help create the conditions where healing is possible.

This Pride Month, let’s remember what’s at stake. Let’s do the work. Let’s make it known:

You are seen. You are worthy. You belong.

And above all, you are not alone.