Mental Health in the LGBTQ+ Community with Nicole Suarez-Bronfman, LCSW

Knowing how to show up for a loved one when they share their
coming out journey with us can be challenging. Today’s guest is a
licensed clinical social worker specializing in community mental
health and offering mental health support to the LGBTQ+ community
in the Woodlands. During this episode, she shares her expertise
for those in the process of sharing their true identity with
friends and family and their loved ones seeking to offer support.
To kick off our conversation, Nicole distinguishes between
clinical social work and psychotherapy and speaks to the social
justice aspect of the former that made her fall in love with the
field. She offers a window into her work, from how she has chosen
to communicate her inclusive approach online and her work around
shame, trauma, and depression to what it means to truly provide a
safe space for those who need it most. Nicole explains why coming
out is often something that a whole family will need to do and
why that process is internal as well as forward-facing. Tune in
today to hear all this and many more insights from today’s
inspiring guest. Thanks for tuning in! 





Key Points From This Episode:


Meet your host, coach, and counselor Carolyn Robistow. 

Introducing licensed clinical social worker Nicole
Suarez-Bronfman and her work in community mental health.

Differentiating between clinical social work and
psychotherapy.

Nicole’s work with marginalized communities that led her to
specialize in treating LGBTQ+ patients.

How she has chosen to communicate her inclusive approach
online.

Effects of the current political climate on mental health
difficulties.

Her work around shame, trauma, and depression.

What it means to truly provide a safe space.

Subtle and small ways that people experience rejection and
abandonment. 

Why coming out often involves the whole family.

The pivotal role of community and family in finding the
necessary support. 

Advice for those seeking to support an LGBTQ+ family member
who has recently come out.

Why coming out is a process and not a once-off conversation.

Communicating acceptance by honoring someone’s
pronouns. 

Finding support as the person that is supporting a loved
one. 

Using the opportunity to connect with one another and grow
together.

Advice for those who are thinking about coming out.

Risks around shame and isolation for the LGBTQ+ community.

Warning signs that indicate people need extra support.

Challenging practitioners to emphasize their inclusivity in
public spaces.

Supportive groups in Texas to seek out. 

Nicole’s stories of hope: seeing people find connection in
the midst of fear. 






Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:


Nicole Suarez-Bronfman


Nicole Suarez-Bronfman Email


The Woodlands Pride


There’s Room At Our Table


The Trevor Project
Carolyn Robistow on LinkedIn


Carolyn Robistow


Mosaics of Mercy