By Jacki Haworth, Clinical Intern

This month is Pride month and it is important that we focus on topics that while constant do not always get recognition. Everyone wants to be accepted and valued for who they are as an individual. This is something that people can take for granted, if it is a concept that was never in question. Unfortunately for many people, specifically individuals who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community, that acceptance might not be a guarantee.

Human beings are social beings who often place great importance on other’s perception and thoughts about oneself. Other people’s opinions can be extremely harmful to an individual’s self-esteem and self-acceptance. Because of this, many people intrinsically gain doubt, decreased self-worth, decreased self-confidence and internalized stigma when someone does not accept them for who they are.  

 Everyone deserves to be their honest and true self. Some techniques for gaining Self-Acceptance are: positive self-talk, self-forgiveness and focusing on your beliefs versus what others have told you.

Find out more about how acceptance, or lack of acceptance may be impacting your life.

Call Owens & Associates at (847)854-4333 for a free 15-minute consultation.