Pride Counseling Review: What It Is, Features, Pros, Cons, and More

Posted on | by Gomontana Editor

Finding the right therapist for your needs is essential, especially since mental health issues are considered sensitive topics and should be approached carefully and skillfully. However, finding the right mental health professional for your needs can undoubtedly be challenging.

This is particularly true with members of the LGBTQ+ community since not all therapists are knowledgeable or well-equipped enough to handle the unique struggles they might be facing. 

The good news is that you can now connect with qualified and skilled mental health professionals who specialize in LGBTQ+ issues and get the support you need, thanks to platforms like Pride Counseling. 

So, what is Pride Counseling? How can it help you overcome your struggles both as an individual and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this article.

 

A Quick Look at Pride Counseling: What Is It?

To better understand Pride Counseling and whether or not it’s the right fit, let’s take a quick look at what it is.

Pride Counseling is an online counseling platform explicitly designed to cater to members of the LGBTQ+ community, providing them the care and support they need that they might otherwise not get from their local healthcare providers.

Its platform aims to provide a safe space for its clients online where they can open up about their personal issues, struggles, and thoughts without fearing judgment or discrimination as they do. 

This online therapy service also hosts thousands of skilled, professionally trained, and licensed mental health professionals who have years of experience in the field, so you can rest assured that whoever therapist you’re paired with has the necessary qualifications.

They also all specialize in handling LGBTQ+ issues, so you can rely on them to understand what you’re going through and provide the support you need.

Unfortunately, while they have thousands of highly qualified therapists on their platform, they’re not allowed to give official mental health diagnoses or prescribe medication. You will have to consult with a psychiatrist for these. 

Their services are also not covered by health insurance companies, so payment for their services will be from your own pocket.

Despite these, Pride Counseling can still be the ideal choice if you need support from a professional who is knowledgeable about and understands the LGBTQ+ community and the issues they face.

 

Pros Cons
  • All their therapists are qualified, skilled, and licensed with at least three years or 1,000 hours of hands-on experience
  • Therapists on the platform can provide official diagnoses and prescribe medication
  • Offers LGBTQ+ affirming support 
  • Isn’t currently covered by health insurance providers
  • Provides essential high-quality mental health services at a fraction of the cost
  • Has comprehensive security measures to ensure the privacy and safety of all their clients
  • Multiple channels for sessions to make them more accessible and convenient for their clients
  • Easy sign-up process with a detailed questionnaire for improved support

Pride Counseling’s Features: What to Expect from This Platform

So, what can you expect from Pride Counseling’s platform? What are the unique features that set it apart from the other online therapy services?

Here are some of them:

  • Easy Sign-Up Process

Pride Counseling ensures that their clients get the support they need by making the sign-up process as easy and manageable as possible. 

It entails answering a questionnaire where you’ll need to provide certain information, such as your sexual orientation, preferred pronouns, religious beliefs, current physical and mental status.

Aside from these, you’ll also need to answer questions about what you’re looking for in a counselor, allowing you to express whatever preferences you may have regarding your therapist. 

This will ensure that the platform’s algorithm matches you with the most suitable therapist for your needs. Next, you’ll need to select your payment method and subscription plan, and you’ll be matched with the best possible counselor for your situation.

You also have the option to switch therapists if you find that your current one isn’t the right fit for what you need.

  • Affordable Services with Flexible Payment Terms

Pride Counseling’s services are available as a subscription plan, and it costs around 60 to 90 USD weekly, which is to be billed monthly or every four weeks. 

Fortunately, the platform also offers options for financial aid for clients who need support but might not have the budget to cover their services.

Aside from this, the platform also allows you to cancel your subscription at any time and for any reason, so you don’t have to worry about paying extra just to end your plan. 

  • Comprehensive Support for Various Mental Health Issues

Not only does Pride Counseling have skilled mental health professionals who understand the unique challenges of the LGBTQ+ community, but they also offer comprehensive support for different types of mental health issues.

From stress and anxiety to depression and anger issues, you can find a suitable therapist who’s well-equipped to handle your case. You should note that they can’t make official diagnoses if you don’t already have one and prescribe medication.

However, they can still offer valuable support to help you manage or overcome what issues you’re currently facing, especially since all their therapists have their own specializations.

  • Multiple Communication Channels for Easy Accessibility

Another unique feature of Pride Counseling’s platform is that they offer numerous communication channels that will allow you to choose which method is most comfortable for you.

As a result, you can feel more at ease during sessions, which can make it easier to open up and talk about what’s bothering you.

These also allow you to quickly get in touch with your assigned therapist whenever and however you need to. Currently, you can conduct your online therapy sessions through private messages, live video calls, live chat sessions, and phone calls.

  • Highly Secure and Encrypted Channels for Guaranteed Privacy

Pride Counseling places great value on their clients’ privacy, which is why they ensure that all sessions are conducted in a highly secure online platform that’s backed by a powerful encryption method. 

Because of this, you don’t have to worry about unauthorized persons interrupting your therapy sessions or compromising your personal information. Everything you say during your sessions is also considered confidential, so you can rely on your therapist not to disclose anything. 

You can also “shred” your messages to ensure no one else gains access to what you’ve said during sessions, and you have the option to use a nickname and stay anonymous during sessions.

Of course, there are some exceptions to this, like in cases wherein you pose a danger to yourself or others or when abuse or neglect is present. However, aside from these, you can expect to retain your privacy with Pride Counseling’s platform.

 

Final Verdict

Overall, Pride Counseling offers a valuable service to members of the LGBTQ+ community, allowing them to receive the mental health support they need without fearing judgment, discrimination, and prejudice as they do.

Although it does have some downsides, this platform can still be an excellent option for you if you’re looking for a convenient online therapy service that can understand your needs and situation as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.