As a parent or caregiver, you are uniquely positioned to meet the moment with compassion, open curiosity, and active listening. Providing a safe space for your child to express themselves and talk openly about their feelings will help ensure that the conversation goes well.
“If a conversation about your child’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity catches you off guard, it’s best to focus on what’s true in the moment. Confirm your love and support, tell your child how happy you are that they felt comfortable talking to you, and commit to more conversations so you can better understand what their identity means to them,” says Nina Narang, MSW, LSW, Primary Therapist at Penn Medicine Princeton House Behavioral Health.
For more information about programs for adolescents at Princeton House Behavioral Health visit princetonhouse.org/teen, or call 888.431.1610 to speak with an outpatient admissions clinician.