Living and growing up LGBTQ+ in a world that historically negates, devalues and demonizes same-sex love and gender variance is very traumatizing to the LGBTQ+ person’s sense of self. To recover from the trauma of growing up in a heterosexist world, stay sober, develop quality emotional sobriety and, therefore, get the most out of their life, LGBTQ+ people — and their support systems – need LGBTQ+ affirmative psychotherapy to heal. 
The LGBTQ+ affirmative approach enables LGBTQ+ mental health workers and their clients to address their addictions in order to start living a life of solid and empowering sobriety.