The Alternative Story

Can I be denied treatment due to my sexuality, caste, class, political views?

The direct answer to this is no. You should not and will not be denied treatment on the basis of your sexuality, caste, class, world views or any other factor of that sort. But there is more to it.

Counsellors and therapists are trained to look at the individual in a neutral and non-judgemental manner, so all of the above mentioned factors should not usually matter in your treatment. However, these factors do constitute a person’s identity and in many cases might need to be addressed and even actively dealt with or discussed in therapy. In such cases, if the therapist feels that they personally aren’t adequately equipped to work with you, for whatever reasons, they may refer you to another mental healthcare professional. 

This isn’t done with any intention of antagonizing you for your beliefs and/or identity but rather to ensure you get the best support possible. Even in this case, you aren’t being denied treatment; the mental health professional will just refer you to someone more qualified for your unique situation. 

By Nancy, an intern at The Alternative Story

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