Not All Therapists Are Safe. A Queer Affirming Therapist on How to Find the Right One

In this episode of Permission to Heal, Kelly Kozluk, Registered Psychotherapist, sits down with XT Belcastro, founder of Rainbow Counselling, to talk about their personal journey navigating the mental health system as a queer person and how you can take control of your healing journey to find support that truly feels safe, affirming, and understanding.Together, Kelly and XT explore what queer-affirming care actually means, why therapy cannot be separated from the realities of culture, politics, and society, and how creating space to discuss identities such as gender, sexuality, race, and lived experience is essential to meaningful therapeutic work.They also offer practical guidance for anyone searching for a therapist, including how to identify green flags and red flags before your first session, what to look for on a therapist's website and intake forms, and why it's okay to ask questions about a therapist's beliefs, approach, and values.This episode is for you if:• You've struggled to find a therapist who truly understands your lived experience• You're queer, questioning, or exploring your identity and want affirming support• You've ever left therapy feeling unseen, misunderstood, or like you had to educate your therapist• You're looking for practical tips on how to find a queer-affirming therapist or clinic• You're curious about how social, cultural, and political realities impact mental health and therapy• You're a therapist wanting to better understand what affirming care looks like in practiceHealing happens best when all parts of who you are are welcome in the room.🎙 Hosted by Kelly, Registered Psychotherapist and host of Permission to Heal📩 Share this episode with someone who might need it⭐ Follow, rate, and review to help us continue bringing these conversations into the lightAt Alli Therapy, we make mental health support accessible and affordable for everyone. Visit alli.io to book a session with an intern therapist (your first session is free, and sessions start at $45 after) or connect with an associate therapist starting at $115.