Sex, identity, family, relationships: All of these are topics you talk about with your therapist—and all are intimately related to sexual orientation and gender identity. How can you get help with family issues if your mental-health provider doesn’t understand what it’s like to have a different gender identity than your parents or siblings?

Although the pandemic has affected us in different ways, there seems to be little doubt that the average person’s mental health in the United States has declined. At a time when family and friends are normally the closest, this year, they will be farther away. That's why taking a proactive approach to insuring our mental health is more important than ever as we enter the holiday season. With that in mind, we wanted to share a few tips to keep you feeling the seasonal spirit and ensure you have the best virtual holidays this year!