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Creating Space - A Support Group for LGBTQIA+ Individuals

Christa Wilcox

Master’s in Counseling Psychology, University of Maine at Farmington

PSY545 Group Counseling

Spring 2025
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Abstract

The group being proposed and examined throughout this paper will aim to be a support group for

folks in the LGBTQIA+ community. Through an integrative approach, this group will focus on

helping to support and connect those within this community with key issues related to identifying

as part of the queer community, coming out, gender identity, exploring different sexualities, and

any other topics that may be relevant to the members and the things they need support with.

Using an emotion-focused framework, with aspects of things such as CBT, Reality Therapy

(RT), and Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), the goals for the group are to help members build

positive connections with others, gain support surrounding LGBTQ+ issues in a safe space, and

help develop their knowledge and confidence to exist as they are both inside and outside of the

group.
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Creating Space - A Support Group for LGBTQIA+ Individuals

Description of Group

This support group will offer a safe space to members of the LGBTQIA+ community where they

can come together to share their experiences and, discuss problems faced by them as members of

the LGBTQ+ community, gain resources and psychoeducation around things such as coping

mechanisms and sexual health for non-heterosexual relations, and any topics the group finds

salient to their identities and struggles; something that will likely be of focus in at least a few

meetings is our current political climate and its effects on individuals in the queer community.

The goal would be for this group to offer free or low-cost participation through the use of grants

and other funding from organizations that support the development of LGBT+ youth and adults

such as The Trevor Project, Stonewall Community Foundation, and the Maine Community

Foundation. This group will be a closed group with around 8-10 members, although because the

need for this type of support group is so high I would want to discuss the possibility of adding

members or opening the group, or perhaps even starting a second group of the same kind if

interest is high enough. Because the needs are great, the topic so vast, and the ongoing

discrimination faced by individuals in the LGBTQ+ community has only begun to increase in

our current political climate this would be a group that would be long-term with no specific end

date. Members would be welcome to graduate out of the group when they feel as though they

have benefited to the fullest from this group and are ready to take on these issues without the

group, or are welcome to exit the group if they feel as though the group is no longer benefiting

them and they would be better off not being in the group. If the group as a whole comes to a

point at which they feel they decide they no longer want to continue we will discuss ending the

group. Although the group will meet in person every week, it is important to consider that there
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is a large portion of this population in need of support that doesn’t have the resources to be able

to attend in-person meetings. Our meetings would take place at the University of Maine at

Famington’s counseling center, however, I would also offer an option for Zoom meetings if

members aren’t able to attend for any reason. This support group will be open to individuals 13

and older as there are people of all ages in the LGBTQ+ community who need help in building

community, connecting with others in the community who may be able to relate to experiences,

and get resources on topics salient to queer individuals. That being said I did limit the lowest age

to 13 because there will likely be talk of sexual education and while minors can consent to a

treatment like this support health group without parental knowledge I would want to ensure the

minor is old enough to understand fully the risks, limits, expectations and rules of the group

(English & Gudeman, 2024).

Rationale for the Group

​ As stated previously the need for support in this population is abundant as LGBTQ+

individuals face discrimination, stigma, rejection, and isolation all of which have a negative

effect on their mental health outcomes (Hinton et al., 2024; Town et al., 2022; Ramos et al.,

2022, 2024). There is an increased need for support in the LGBTQ+ community as the effects of

this discrimination are felt by individuals, leading to worsening well-being among both youth

and adults, especially when compared to heterosexual and cisgender peers. Right now is a very

scary and isolating time in our country for those in the LGBTQ+ community, as the

discrimination and hate once experienced by this community is only increasing through our

current political climate by both individuals and at a systematic level (Ramos et al., 2022). Since

the recent presidential administration change, there have been numerous policies passed that are

actively opposing and taking away rights of those in the LGBTQ+ community, especially those
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that are gender diverse and are encouraging further hate and discrimination (Dawson & Kates,

2025; Wolf, 2025). It would be especially important for me as the group leader to be aware of the

current political issues affecting LGBTQ+ individuals including the innumerable policies that

have begun to be put in place and how this could affect group members. This group could be

greatly beneficial to those within the LGBTQ+ community by giving them both practical and

emotional support, giving them information that may not be as readily available to them, and

giving them a safe space to share their experiences with peers - all of which has shown to

positively influence individuals mental health and well-being and may moderate the effects of

discrimination (Ramos et al., 2022; Town et al., 2022; Hinton et al., 2024). Support groups that

allow for social connection between individuals within the queer community and allow them to

foster peer interactions are so important because those in this population are often isolated and

disconnected from peers. Connecting with a group that has similar identities and feeling as

though an individual belongs to a group can mediate the effects of this social disconnection and

give them the skills and confidence to build social networks (Hinton et al., 2024). Another part

of this group that could help LGBTQ+ individuals would be the implementation of more

practical based skills exercises that may help individuals to externalize their problems, find ways

to cope with their experiences, and give members resources they can take with them outside of

group, which has shown to all be effective in helping to support LGBTQ+ individuals (Ramos et

al., 2024).

Objectives of the Group

​ The goals of this group include providing support to individuals in the LGBTQ+

community in both practical (coping skills and psychoeducation) as well as emotional (sharing

experiences and connecting to peers in the LGBTQ+ community).

Goal: Share experiences involving LGBTQIA+ issues and learn how to connect with and build

connections in and outside of the LGBTQ+ community

1.​ Participate in group discussions about relevant topics such as gender, sexuality, and

current political issues affecting the queer community.

2.​ Practice building supportive and safe relationships in sessions and between sessions.

3.​ Give and receive support from group members surrounding LGBTQ+ issues.

Goal: Gain resources and knowledge that pertain to LGBTQ+ topics and that can be applied to

daily living as an LGBTQIA+ individual

1.​ Identify and incorporate positive coping skills and safe systems of support to combat

feelings of discrimination and stigma.

2.​ Gain an understanding of the current challenges faced by LGBTQ+ community as well as

possible resources that can be accessed outside of group.

3.​ Participate in psychoeducation around LGBTQ+ issues including health such as

gender-affirming care and healthy sex for non-heterosexual couples.

Practical Considerations for the Group Leader

​ Those in the LGBTQ+ community face a lot of prejudice in the world simply for being

who they are so I would want to ensure this is a safe environment for all individuals. Sensitivity

and knowledge surrounding LGBTQ+ issues would be an important consideration for this group,

especially as they already face so much stigma and misinformation - this should be a space in

which they feel safe and can provide them resources and support. Something important to also

consider is the fact that there are going to be both adolescents and adults in this group so it will

be important to be mindful of the group dynamics and comfortability of each member. I would

want to especially be checking in with the minors to make certain they feel safe and comfortable.
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In terms of actually obtaining members I would place flyers advertising the group with my

contact information on it for people to learn more or if they are interested in the group and likely

it will also spread through word of mouth. Once individuals have expressed interest in the group

I would want to ensure I am going through a vetting process in which I will discuss the group,

the expectations, and some rules, as well as the limitations of confidentiality and such. For this

group it is important that members are there for the right reasons - to give as well as receive

support, to connect with other LGBTQ+ individuals, and to gain a better understanding of the

issues affecting the queer community. That being said I would have to disclude anyone who

seems as though they aren’t going to contribute to a supportive and safe space, who won’t benefit

from the group, or who needs more individual attention. When interviewing potential members I

would be sure to seek out their intentions in joining the group, what they expect to get out of it,

and what they think they can contribute. This is also the time I would explain to the members the

importance of confidentiality and the limitations of it in group settings. Explaining to members

the expectations and goals of the group as well as a few ground rules would be beneficial to suss

out who among the potential members is serious about the group and ensure the members are

respectful of one another. Although the original group only accommodates 8-10 people, it is

possible, with enough interest, for more than one group later on. Once the group begins members

will meet once a week for 2 hours at the UMF counseling center, and possibly through Zoom.

Considering the changes in policies surrounding access to healthcare and funding of LGBTQ+

resources, it would be important to stay aware of the shifting challenges and sources of support.

Procedures for the Facilitation of the Group

​ Although this group was specifically designed with myself in mind as the facilitator, it

could easily be run by anyone with mental health training and knowledge of LGBTQ+ issues.
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For the facilitation of this group, I would also want to be sure to do more training and research

on issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community as there are trainings that may help to prepare me

for this group. I would want to make certain I have a comprehensive knowledge of the struggles

faced by queer individuals, especially the parts of the community with which I have had less

interaction or personal experience with. Whoever is running the group should have knowledge of

the range of sexualities, gender identities and expression, queer-inclusive sexual health, and

political or social issues related to LGBTQIA+ individuals. This group could be led by either an

individual, which was the original intent, or a set of co-leaders as long as both had the

knowledge and training. If run by co-leaders the work should be planned out ahead of time so as

to strategize who should guide each part of the group but the co-leaders should also be able to

flow and adjust to one another in session to model positive communication and connection.

​ In terms of the theoretical framework from which I would facilitate this group, it would

be largely integrative but focused on principles from Emotion-Focused, Cognitive-Behavioral,

Reality, and Solution-Focused therapies, along with possibly some Adlerian theory all of which

can easily be incorporated into a support group (Jacobs et al., 2016). Through EFT and CBT, I

would help members begin to share and explore their experiences, with an emphasis on their

emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. This would be especially beneficial when viewing their social

connections and the effect discrimination has on their mental well-being. Reality and

Solution-Focused therapy frameworks would lend a hand in the parts of the group dedicated to

coping skills, using resources, and implementing skills learned in group sessions into everyday

life. Something that could be interesting to explore in an LGBTQ+ group is Adlerian Theory,

particularly the aspects pertaining to an individual's place in the family and how this affects

them. LGBTQIA+ individuals are strongly affected by the attitudes and dynamics within their
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family, especially when their families are unsupportive or outwardly homophobic/transphobic

which could be an important aspect to consider in an LGBTQ+ support group as it has serious

implications on their well-beings (Newcomb et al., 2019). The group will focus on these

relationships with family members, friends, and peers, as well as salient issues relating to the

LGBTQ+ community. While there will be specific topics of discussion, sharing of experiences

and the process that takes place between members of the group will be a huge part of the group.

​ In this group, it would be important to establish and remind members periodically of the

rules of the group. The biggest rules that would be core tenets of the group would be that

everyone’s thoughts, opinions, and experiences are valid and we will not purposefully invalidate

other members' experiences. Something that goes along with that is that there will be no

attacking of a group member, we will be empathetic, supportive, and accept each member

wherever they are at. If someone offends someone else in the group, hurts their feelings, or

makes them feel invalidated or attacked we will address this issue as a group and work out the

conflict together. I would want to make it clear that although sometimes group members may ask

for advice, which can be given if prompted for, the point of this group isn’t to be giving

unsolicited advice - it is to listen, support, and connect with one another. In terms of attendance,

it would be important for members to be there consistently and communicate if they aren’t able

to be there or are running late. If there are more than 3 missed groups in a row, I will contact the

members to check in with them and unless extenuating circumstances I will have to ask that

person to leave the group for the sake of the group's connection and fear of disruption if a

member is allowed to sporadically attend. If members are participating via Zoom I would want to

have them have their cameras on if possible and would make sure the participants online are in
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safe and private locations that wouldn’t risk the confidentiality of other members. If it’s not

possible to be in a confidential space, participants should be wearing headphones.

While part of the purpose of this group is to build a community and network of peers, some of

which might include other group members, I would want to make sure members know the risks

of forming connections with other members outside of the group and encourage them to use

caution. If a relationship between two of the members becomes problematic I will meet with

them individually to discuss the matter and see if things can be resolved without affecting the

group. That being said I wouldn’t necessarily discourage members from contacting each other,

with the exception of the minors who would be advised to not have contact with adult members

outside of group for safety. I would also want to make sure that members all understand and

agree to things like confidentiality as it is extremely important but cannot be 100% guaranteed in

a group setting. During sessions if a member brings up a specific issue or experience it is

important to consider whether or not they actually want to and are willing to work on the

problem at hand; I would want to ensure that focusing on a group member is beneficial for both

them and the group. No matter whether we were focusing on sharing and listening to

experiences, offering support to specific members, or discussing particular topics salient to the

LGBTQ+ community, I would be sure to confirm with group members that the group is focusing

on what they need and is beneficial for them.

Evaluation of the Group Experience

​ In order to make sure that the group content and process are helpful to group members I

would be offering regular check-ins at the beginning or end of sessions to track what is helpful

for the members, what they would like to see more of, what isn’t benefiting them, and how it is

impacting their daily lives. I would check in with members during the last few minutes of the
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group on what they can take with them into the coming week from that session or what had been

helpful during that specific session. I would also periodically check in at the beginning of the

sessions to see their evaluation of the week and the previous week's session or what they want to

see happen in this session. In between sessions, I would also want to use self-evaluation

measures and reflect on my role as a leader in the group. I would want to be sure I am

recognizing the areas that could be improved for future sessions and implementing feedback and

retrospective analysis of my leadership. If group members decide they are ready to leave the

group, there would be exit interviews to evaluate the effectiveness of the group. I would want to

know if they have a renewed sense of community, connection, and knowledge of LGBTQ+

issues or if they were missing something in this group that I could be providing. Once the group

seems to be coming to an end it would be important to start discussing as a group the benefits

and experiences of this group and how members see it carrying on through their lives and

interactions. While I would want to have follow-up or feedback sessions with both the group as a

whole and with each individual, I would also want to include the option of leaving anonymous

feedback via Google or paper form. This would be good for members who may feel less

comfortable being honest about their experiences in the group and criticisms, or members who

feel the need to please the group leader. The hope would be for individuals to leave the group

feeling a sense of belonging and empowerment, with a set of resources that can be accessed

outside of the group. I would also hope that members, beyond the group, are able to build and

maintain positive relationships and safe spaces to share, be vulnerable, and have a chance to gain

a better understanding of queer issues.

Conclusion
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The need for support surrounding LGBTQIA+ issues is greater now than ever. Those in the

community need a safe place to feel heard and supported by like-minded individuals. The hope

for this group is to not only provide them with this support in the group setting but also help

members build a support system and community with each other that they can take with them

beyond the group's duration. Through Integrating different theoretical frameworks, this group

will provide this by allowing individuals to share experiences, gain coping skills, and learn about

issues involving sex, sexuality, gender, and the current political discourse surrounding these

topics. Creating this group can help give much-needed support to individuals who often lack

resources and support, and allow for an inclusive, safe environment for people to be themselves.
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Resources:

Dawson, L., & Kates, J. (2025, April 25). Overview of president Trump’s executive actions

impacting LGBTQ+ Health. KFF.

https://www.kff.org/other/fact-sheet/overview-of-president-trumps-executive-actions-imp

acting-lgbtq-health/

Find a fund. Stonewall Community Foundation. (n.d.).

https://www.stonewallfoundation.org/funds

Funding programs for the LGBTQ community. Horizons Foundation. (2024, September 11).

https://www.horizonsfoundation.org/funding-programs/

Grants available for LGBTQ+ organizations. Maine Community Foundation. (n.d.).

https://www.mainecf.org/2022/08/grants-available-for-lgbtq-organizations/

English A, Gudeman R. Minor Consent and Confidentiality: A Compendium of State and

Federal Laws (Maine). National Center for Youth Law (August 2024)

Jacobs, E. E., Schimmel, C. J., Masson, R. L., & Harvill, R. L. (2016). Group counseling:

Strategies and skills (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.

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Huebner, D. M. (2019). The influence of families on LGBTQ Youth Health: A call to

action for innovation in Research and Intervention Development. LGBT Health, 6(4),

139–145. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2018.0157
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Partner with US. The Trevor Project. (2024, August 15).

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/partner-with-us/

Ramos, N., Burgess, A., & Ollen, E. (2022). The current status of sociopolitical and legal issues

faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and Questioning Youth. Adolescent

Psychiatry, 12(3), 180–195. https://doi.org/10.2174/2210676611666211105120645

Ramos, N., Ollen, E., Miklowitz, D. J., & Miranda, J. (2024). Development and pilot of a

portable community-based intervention for LGBTQ+ youth with depression symptoms.

Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 1–11.

https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2024.2395254

Town, R., Hayes, D., Fonagy, P., & Stapley, E. (2021). A qualitative investigation of LGBTQ+

young people’s experiences and perceptions of self-managing their mental health.

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 31(9), 1441–1454.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-021-01783-w

Wolf, B. (2025, January 22). Background on trump day one executive orders impacting the

LGBTQ+... HRC.

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cting-the-lgbtq-community