What to know<\/p>\n
About 15 per cent of Canadians access mental health services annually, but access is not experienced equally across populations<\/p>\n
2SLGBTQ+ Canadians face disproportionate barriers to care, including discrimination and a lack of affirming providers<\/p>\n
These gaps in care have contributed to the creation of All Kinds Club Counselling, a virtual therapy practice serving 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities<\/p>\n
The practice focuses on identity-affirming, sex-positive, and culturally informed care<\/p>\n
Services are delivered online across Ontario, with an emphasis on accessibility and reduced-barrier intake<\/p>\n
Although many Canadians access mental health services each year, 2SLGBTQ+ communities continue to face gaps in care, including discrimination and a lack of affirming providers. These challenges have helped drive the creation of a new virtual therapy practice built on the idea that care works best when people don\u2019t have to explain who they are just to be heard.<\/p>\n
For a lot of people, therapy is a part of their weekly or monthly routine. In fact, data shows<\/a> that 15 per cent of Canadians access mental health services every year. However, that can look different when you\u2019re worried about experiencing discrimination while seeing a healthcare professional.\u00a0<\/p>\n Of respondents to a Canadian survey<\/a>, 17 per cent of 2SLGBTQ+ people say they have no access to mental health services, while 56 per cent reported access only to non-affirming services. Respondents specifically identified barriers to accessing care, like the fear of discrimination, past negative experiences with healthcare providers, and services not being 2SLGBTQ-competent or affirming<\/p>\n However, the need for services for the Queer community is there. About 32 per cent<\/a> of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Canadians report poor or fair mental health, compared to 11 per cent of their heterosexual counterparts. Meanwhile, 65 per cent<\/a> of transgender and non-binary people report poor or fair mental health, compared to 11 per cent of cisgender community members.<\/p>\n So while having access to a therapist is important, having access to culturally comprehensive care (AKA, a therapist that just gets you), that is a game-changer. That\u2019s where All Kinds Club steps in.\u00a0<\/p>\n BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ+ sensitive care<\/p>\n Aiming to create a counselling service that gives 2SLGBTQ+ people an affirming space to receive care without question of their identity, All Kinds Club Counselling<\/a> is a 2SLGBTQ+-centred, BIPOC-affirming<\/a>, sex-positive therapy practice that launched late last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Operating virtually, making it accessible to people across the province, the practice was founded by Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) Dani Gagnon<\/a>. They told Queer & Now<\/a> that the inspiration for AKCC came while doing a placement as a requirement of her Master\u2019s degree.\u00a0<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I was doing my internship, I was flooded with so many Queer and Trans clients,\u201d they shared. \u201cA lot of other students were having a really hard time finding clients during their placement, but I did not.\u201d<\/p>\n This led her to realize the existing need for a platform that allows community members to connect with Queer therapists, with Gagnon explaining that on many apps, it\u2019s not clear if someone is an ally or Queer.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of people don\u2019t want to have to explain themselves to their therapist in session,\u201d Gagnon explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n In addition, for couples therapy, which is also offered on AKCC, there are different dynamics at play that must be considered by the therapist or counsellor.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFor instance, if I have two Lesbians, the dynamic is entirely different from what it would be for a straight couple,\u201d Gagnon shared. \u201cSex is different, body language is different, expression is different, stressors are different, especially with what\u2019s going on in the world right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of people don\u2019t want to have to explain that and take up time in their therapy session that they\u2019re paying for to have to explain to the therapist what a bottom is, or what U-Hauling<\/a> is, so it\u2019s kind of nice to just have that covered in your therapy sessions.\u201d<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Gagnon explained that in the development of the platform, it was crucial to find not only Queer therapists but also professionals who are from other marginalized communities.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt was really important for us to have people who are part of the BIPOC community, from different religious backgrounds, from different genders, all part of this team,\u201d she explained, adding that it\u2019s important for people visiting the platform to see that they can match with a therapist who understands the nuances of their experiences.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the name of accessibility, the service offers an online therapist-matching process for those who don\u2019t have the time or energy to navigate multiple consultations, pairing users with a therapist aligned with their needs, identity, and goals. Additionally, services feature clear pricing, and when possible, reduced-rate and sliding-scale options.<\/p>\n Supporting 2SLGBTQ+ youth<\/p>\n