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JVN on Trans Rights

"I could just cry because I'm so tired of having to fight for little kids because they just want to be included. I wish that people were as passionate about little kids being able to be included or grow up as they were about fictitious women's fairness in sports. I have to tell you, I am very tired."  - JVN

JVN went on Dax Shepard’s podcast recently and was constantly put through exhausting conversations and questions to defend the existence and rights of trans and non-binary individuals.

A lot of Dax’s rhetoric is outright harmful and anti-science, and parrots many of the myths that is out there regarding gender-affirming care, trans experiences and mental health of the trans and nonbinary communities.

But evidence is clear. 

Studies repeatedly show exceedingly low rates of regret among trans individuals receiving gender-affirming care (close to 1%). This is much lower than many other forms of healthcare, and even people’s decision to have kids.

The majority of those who de-transition often also do so temporarily, usually due to external pressures and stigma. 

BuzzFeed writes on how the trans rights debate should not be covered as a “both sides” issues, for the same reason climate change, interracial marriage, or marriage equality isn’t a “both sides” issue. 

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Polyamorous relationships can have different challenges to navigate.

Voda’s Lead Psychotherapist Chris (they/them) shares tips on questions to check in with your partner(s) to navigate communicational challenges. x

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Learn more about the Voda team!

Anthony (he/him) from our psychotherapist panel shares his story of coming out and how he ended up becoming a psychotherapist and coach.

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Free mental health support available for our trans and non-binary community on the app. x

Try it on the Voda app 🏳️‍⚧️❤️ 

About the programmes:

Our “Coping with Gender Dysphoria” programmes have been designed by a panel of queer, trans and non-binary psychotherapists who identify across the spectrum of gender, sexuality and ethnicity, bringing together an intersectional lens. 

The programmes are led by our Lead Psychotherapist, Chris Sheridan (they/them), a renowned trans non-binary psychotherapy who specialise in Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity.

We know that our offering will not solve the trans mental health crisis, but hope to offer a small element of support to all trans and non-binary people who are struggling with gender dysphoria in the current system.

#queertiktok #nonbinary #transrightsarehumanrights #trans #transmentalhealth #lgbwiththet

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What Therapeutic Techniques Can I Learn on Voda?

Hey beautiful minds! 🌈✨

Here we’ll outline some of the therapeutic techniques you can dive into on the Voda app. 

Whether you’re looking to understand your emotions better or find new ways to manage stress, we have designed Voda with a team of accredited LGBTQIA+ psychotherapists who specialise in our community issues.

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):

CBT helps you to learn to identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns which can stem from difficult past experiences, helping you develop healthier thinking habits.

2. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):

Explore ways to accept your thoughts and feelings rather than fighting against them. This approach helps you commit to making necessary changes in your life, and is helpful for affirming your queer identity.

3. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):

This technique will introduce you to skills like mindfulness and emotional regulation, aiding you in managing extreme emotional swings and improving relationships.

4. Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT):

Discover how to develop compassion for both others and yourself, fostering emotional wellbeing. Most importantly, it also helps to release toxic shame that we might have internalised from society.

5. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT):

Learn mindfulness practices to help you break the cycle of chronic unhappiness and manage your mental health more effectively.

✨ Specialised Support for LGBT+ Issues:

Voda offers resources and support on gender dysphoria, coming out, dealing with stigma and discrimination, and many more topics specifically tailored for the needs of our community.

Discover free features like queer-led meditations, daily mood check-ins, and a series of free self-guided therapy programmes on topics such as coming out, love, and gender dysphoria.

Please note that some programmes require a monthly subscription, we ensure that plenty of our features are available for free to the community, plus everything is accessible for free in the first 7 days!

If you are in need of mental health support and facing financial constraints, please feel free to send us a message as we have scholarships available. 

Everyone deserves access to mental health support and we’re here for you.

🌈 Who are we?

Voda is a mental wellbeing app developed in collaboration with a team of 7 NHS practitioners and accredited psychotherapists who specialise in LGBTQIA+ issues. We aim make mental wellbeing support more accessible, inclusive and relevant to LGBTQIA+ individuals.

You can download Voda here.

We’re here, we’re queer,

Voda team

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Let’s Understand Gender Dysphoria!

Hey beautiful souls! 🌟

Today, let’s delve deeper into understanding gender dysphoria.

This is important especially because gender dysphoria manifests uniquely amongst those who experience it. 

And while some trans or non-binary individuals experience gender dysphoria, it is not a pre-requisite of being trans or non-binary.

Let’s explore this concept more… 🌿

🌷 What is Gender Dysphoria? It is generally experienced when there is an awareness that your gender does not align with the sex that you were assigned at birth. 

So, if you were assigned female at birth and you feel like a man but your body does not appear this way, then you may experience gender dysphoria.

So if you were assigned male or female at birth and you feel that your gender sits outside of the gender binary of man or woman, then you may also experience gender dysphoria in relation to certain parts of your body or how you are perceived by others.

🏳️‍⚧️ Gender Dysphoria is Not a Mental Disorder. There is nothing wrong with someone who experiences gender dysphoria. It is not an individual pathology or illness. This means that gender incongruence is not classified as a mental health disorder, that’s why we say “dysphoria” and not “disorder”. 

🍀 Facets of Dysphoria: There are mainly two aspects of gender dysphoria: social dysphoria, stemming from being perceived differently than one's gender identity, and physical dysphoria, a disconnect or discomfort with one’s physical attributes. These can bring a range of feelings, from shame and confusion to sadness and anger.

🔍 Intersectionality Comes in: Our experiences of gender can intersect with various aspects of our identity like sexuality, culture, race, neurodiversity, and religion. These other identities can interact with and influence how we experience our gender dysphoria.

🌟 Embracing All Experiences: Every experience is unique, valid, and an integral part of the vast spectrum of our identities. It’s crucial to embrace the diversity and expansive aspects of who we are.

You might have been told that who you are is not okay. Some might have told you that they disapprove of you. But the thing is, trans people and non-binary people have always existed.

We have a rich and glorious history across cultures, and across centuries. 

It’s not our identities that are the problem. It’s the social stories, and the narratives about our identities that is the problem.

The world is such a difficult place to be trans right now.

But we can start by embracing and accepting all of our identities.

If the journey to understanding gender dysphoria seems daunting, and you seek support... Voda is here to support you.

If you’re looking for mental health support to cope with gender dysphoria, or know someone who does, head over to Voda.

We’re here to support you every step of the way. 

You can download Voda here.

With Love and Acceptance,

Voda 

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Great question, thank you. 

Your mind is a sacred space, and we treat it that way. We do not and will not sell data to third-parties. We’ve got strict protocols to keep your data safe, encrypted, and you own all your data and can choose to delete all your data if and when you wishes to.

Free Mental Health Support for Trans & Non-Binary Communities on Voda

Are you trans or non-binary?

If so, we have free mental health support that has been designed by expert trans and non-binary psychotherapists available for you on the Voda app.

Voda recently launched “Coping with Gender Dysphoria”, a series of digital mental health support resources for the trans and non-binary community.

This is a programme that has been designed by a team of accredited trans and non-binary psychotherapists, and utilises evidence-backed therapy techniques Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques and mindfulness-based therapy.

The programme is aimed at helping you cope with some of the symptoms associated with gender dysphoria.

We know that mental health support available to trans and non-binary people is severely lacking all across the world.

And that is why this programme is available for free - and will always be free - on the Voda app.

So, if you’re looking for mental health support to cope with gender dysphoria, or know someone who does, head over to Voda.

We’re here to support you every step of the way.

You can download Voda here.

About Voda:

Launched in 2022, Voda is built by and for the LGBTQIA+ community. We’re building the product we wish we had in our younger years.

Created by leading LGBTQIA+ psychotherapists, Voda combines leading psychotherapy expertise with AI to make mental wellbeing support more accessible, more inclusive and more intersectional.

No matter your gender, sexuality or relationship-diversity, Voda offers queer folks evidence-backed tools to move towards thriving and fulfilled lives. Our innovative offering includes daily AI advice, queer-led meditations, cognitive journaling and self-guided therapy programmes rooted in the lived experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community.

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How To Stop People-Pleasing

Overcoming People-Pleasing: A Journey to Self-Acceptance and Boundaries 🌈💖

Hey lovely souls! 🌟

Many of us, especially in the queer community, grew up feeling the need to prove our worth to gain love and acceptance.

We can end up shaping our actions and behaviours to fit the comforts and expectations of those around us. 🌿

Here’s a guide to help break free from the chains of people-pleasing and embrace your true self...

🌷 Growing in Shadows: Being queer in a predominantly heteronormative environment can forge a path of isolation and a deep-rooted need to appease others for acceptance and belonging. These behavioural patterns, originated in our formative years, often solidify as we grow up.

🍀 The Toll of Pleasing: The relentless pursuit to meet others’ needs, even compromising our own comfort and well-being, can strain our mental health. It could be overspending on gifts, stretching our stay at gatherings, or reluctantly accepting unwanted attention.

💜 The Quest for Acceptance: At the heart of people-pleasing lies a fear of rejection and a belief that our true selves are unworthy of love. This fear often propels us to value ourselves solely based on our ability to cater to others, suppressing our needs and desires.

🔍 Seeking Healing through Therapy: Therapy can illuminate our people-pleasing tendencies and help cultivate healthy boundaries. It provides insights into our core beliefs and fosters the understanding that we are inherently lovable, regardless of others' approval or our acts of service.

🌟 Building Self-Love: Learn to build self-love. Many people-pleasers love to do things for others... but often don’t take enough attention to understand what they want. Start doing little bits of self-care and practise love for yourself. Acknowledge your achievements, no matter how small, and be gentle with yourself. Celebrate your uniqueness and remember, self-love is a journey, not a destination.

If the journey to overcome people-pleasing feels arduous and you yearn for support... We at Voda are walking this path with you. 

You can delve into the Voda app to explore therapy programmes, crafted for the LGBTQIA+ community by experienced LGBTQIA+ therapists.

Voda has many free features like queer-led meditations, daily mood check-ins, and an assortment of free self-guided therapy programmes on various LGBTQIA+ topics.

The annual is less than the price of a coffee a month, but many of our features are free! You can also try everything free and unlock it for 7 days.

You can download Voda here.

With Love and Acceptance, Voda 🌈💜

[joinvoda]

Free Mental Health Support for Trans & Non-Binary Communities on Voda

Are you trans or non-binary?

If so, we have free mental health support that has been designed by expert trans and non-binary psychotherapists available for you on the Voda app.

Voda recently launched “Coping with Gender Dysphoria”, a series of digital mental health support resources for the trans and non-binary community.

This is a programme that has been designed by a team of accredited trans and non-binary psychotherapists, and utilises evidence-backed therapy techniques Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques and mindfulness-based therapy.

The programme is aimed at helping you cope with some of the symptoms associated with gender dysphoria.

We know that mental health support available to trans and non-binary people is severely lacking all across the world.

And that is why this programme is available for free - and will always be free - on the Voda app.

So, if you're looking for mental health support to cope with gender dysphoria, or know someone who does, head over to Voda.

We're here to support you every step of the way.

You can download Voda here.

About Voda:

Launched in 2022, Voda is built by and for the LGBTQIA+ community. We’re building the product we wish we had in our younger years.

Created by leading LGBTQIA+ psychotherapists, Voda combines leading psychotherapy expertise with AI to make mental wellbeing support more accessible, more inclusive and more intersectional.

No matter your gender, sexuality or relationship-diversity, Voda offers queer folks evidence-backed tools to move towards thriving and fulfilled lives. Our innovative offering includes daily AI advice, queer-led meditations, cognitive journaling and self-guided therapy programmes rooted in the lived experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community.

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#QueerIcon: Ncuti Gatwa

“Inside it’s such a mess: I have so much impostor syndrome. I have so many insecurities. I like to make other people feel happy so there’s less focus on me. I become this loud figure that’s cracking jokes all the time. It comes across as confidence, but at the heart of it, it’s not. Real confidence is something I have to work on daily.”

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What do we mean when we say “Queer”?

Within the colorful spectrum of LGBTQIA+ identities, the ‘Q’ represents ‘Queer’ or ‘Questioning.’ 

The use of the term “Queer” is sometimes controversial, because this term, once wielded as an insult, has been now been increasingly reclaimed as a unified, embracing term to represent the myriad identities within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.

“Reclamation is messy. ‘Queer’ bears a legacy of pain and empowerment. It’s been a weapon and a shield, a rejection and an embrace, a slur and a badge of honor.” - Learning for Justice

Some in the community dislike the normalisation of the world “queer” because it has a derogatory past; we vehemently condemn its use as a slur.

But over time, we can also learn to embrace ‘queer’ with respect and pride, using it as an inclusive term to represent our multifaceted community. 

To us, ‘queer’ represents any identity outside the realms of exclusive heterosexuality or cisgender norms.

Many of us alternate between using the terms ‘queer’ and ‘LGBTQIA+,’ recognising the term's versatility and its capacity to defy categorisation and to promote expansive and unbounded thinking.

Echoing the empowering chant from the Stonewall riots: 

"We're here, we're queer, get over it!"

If being queer feels overwhelming, we at Voda are here with you.

We’re the LGBTQIA+ mental health app and we have a variety of free features like queer-led meditations, daily mood check-ins, and a series of free self-guided therapy programmes on topics such as coming out, love, and gender dysphoria.

Please note that some programmes require a monthly subscription, we ensure that plenty of our features are available for free to the community, plus everything is accessible for free in the first 7 days.

However, if you are in need of mental health support, please feel free to send us a message as we have scholarships available. 

Everyone deserves access to mental health support and we’re here for you.

You can download Voda here.

Stay queer,

Voda 🌈💜

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Being Queer and Happily Single

Finding Joy in Being Single: A Journey to Self-Love and Happiness 🌈💫

Hey wonderful beings! 🌟

Sometimes it can feel like we’re constantly being pressured to find that special someone.

The pressure of singlehood can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

But the truth is, you can be happy no matter if you’re dating, in love, or single.

Here’s a short guide on we can find joy and self-love when we’re single.

🌷 Living in the Present: Whether you’re into monogamy, polyamory, or any form of connection, you can cultivate joy and practice gratitude while being single. Good coffee tastes good no matter if you’re single or partnered. You can still spend time with your friends, read your favourite books, or enjoy your special self-care rituals.

🍀 Self-Awareness and Self-Compassion: Often, it’s not the act of being single that is upsetting us, but the narratives we have woven around being single. Start observing your inner dialogue about being single. What stories do you tell yourself about your singlehood? Is it gentle? Or laden with shame and regret? 

💜 Speak to Yourself Kindly: Heighten your self-awareness and be kind to yourself. For example, instead of telling yourself, “I’m single because no one wants me,” you can reframe: “I’m currently single and this allows me to focus on myself and learn about what I truly want.” Remember that you have so many positive qualities; you’re funny, you have passions, and you’re worthy of love.

🔍 Being Complete in Solitude: Societal norms often paint singlehood as a phase of incompleteness, but embracing solitude or casual connections is equally valid. We are complete by ourselves, even though others can complement us, too. So many people find joy with just being in their own presence. Our existence is multifaceted, and not just confined to romantic bonds. 

🌈 Exploring Therapy: Growing up queer might have isolated many of us, hindering our emotional exploration. But now, we have the resilience and capabilities to learn from our past and embrace therapy to unravel our emotional narratives and foster self-love.

If singlehood feels overwhelming, and you desire to traverse this journey with support... We at Voda are here with you. 

Voda offers a variety of free features like queer-led meditations, daily mood check-ins, and a series of free self-guided therapy programmes on topics such as coming out, love, and gender dysphoria.

Please note that some programmes require a monthly subscription, we ensure that plenty of our features are available for free to the community, plus everything is accessible for free in the first 7 days. 

However, if you are in need of mental health support and facing financial constraints, please feel free to send us a message as we have scholarships available. Everyone deserves access to mental health support and we’re here for you.

You can download Voda here.

Stay radiant,

Voda 🌈💜

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What do I do if I don’t have therapy, access to any type of mental support (suicide prevention lines, school Consoulers etc) nor any sort of support in my family?

Dear Anon,

I’m really sorry to hear that you’re feeling this way. It sounds like things are really tough right now.

It’s so important to find support.

If you don't have access to therapy or school counsellors, or find it difficult to speak on the phone, have you considered online resources?

For example, with The Trevor Project, they offer confidential online chat at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/.

However, sometimes there’s a limit to what support can be provided online, especially in emergency situations.

Emergency support services are available to everyone.

Befrienders Worldwide (www.befrienders.org) provides emotional support to prevent suicide worldwide and offers a directory of helplines around the world.

Please remember your feelings are important, and reaching out like this is a positive step.

Sending you lots of love and support. 💜🌈

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#BiCon: Stephanie Beatriz

"I met someone else over Pride weekend, a young man who recognized me and talked to me about Brooklyn and what a fan he is of the show. Then he whispered that he loved the episode in which Rosa came out to her family. He too, he said, identifies as bi but is unable to share it with his family. He told me that the episode meant so much to him, and then he trailed off. I grabbed his arm and held it. I told him I understood. I held his arm while we changed subjects and talked about the sights I should take in while in D.C. Before I left, I hugged him and could feel his heart racing. I wondered if I was one of the few trusted people he had come out to. I felt so hopeful for him that he would find his way to the freedom that being out can give you, and utterly flabbergasted that I was the one privileged enough to hear his truth."

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#BiCon: Kit Connor

“It’s the experience of maybe you’re too straight to be gay and you’re too gay to be straight,” he said. “So it’s like, ‘Where do I sit?’ But I feel much more secure in myself now.”

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Bi-con: Freddie Mercury

"I won't be a rock star. I will be a legend."

Radiating boundless love and explosive creativity, Freddie Mercury dances through the echoes of time.

A dazzling bi icon who taught us to embrace our true selves and live free.

🌈🎤

[joinvoda]

Dealing with Queer Anxiety

Anxiety can affect queer people differently, especially if we have experienced minority stress or bullying.

Many of us spent our younger years in an anxious state. We might have had to police our mannerisms to hide our sexual or gender identity, or we acted in ways to avoid being bullied or shamed by others.

We might also have been in situations where we felt unsafe or excluded.

This anxiety can evolve into what is termed “hypervigilance”.

Hypervigilance is the state of constantly being on alert to threats. Our nervous system might have been so fine-tuned to watch out for signs of danger that it can remain on high alert even in times of calm.

This also explains why some of us feel a spike of anxiety in certain social situations: our body might register danger if we're in environments which is reminiscent of times when we were previously shamed or bullied.

We can better manage our anxiety by being aware of how it physically manifests in our body.

The truth is anxiety is actually a natural, biological process.

It's our body's way of alerting us to threats. Some of us start sweating more, our mouth dry up, or we can hear our heart pumping faster in our chest. Sometimes we physically feel these sensations before we even realise that we're anxious.

By being aware of these physical sensations, we can better understand how our body is reacting to a certain place or environment.

By understanding what environmental factors are triggering our anxiety, we can prepare and practise ways to keep ourselves calm.

Understanding how anxiety shows up in our body can help us stay in the present moment and stop us from spiralling.

We can also remind ourselves that sometimes, thoughts are just thoughts.

One thing we learn from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is that we don’t have to believe everything that we think.

Not every thought that pops up in our minds is true.

Sometimes, anxious thoughts are simply thoughts, and not necessarily reality.

The next time you feel anxious, remind yourself that anxiety is a natural biological response.

We can cope with our anxious tendencies by being mindful of our bodies and our thoughts — and checking if this anxiety is grounded in reality, or if it is triggered by something else.

We can also treat anxious thoughts a little bit like clouds going through the sky... we can be aware of them, but not let them linger and stay too long.

It is also important not to judge yourself for your anxiety.

This anxiety once kept you safe in difficult environments. Many of us have experienced homophobia, biphobia or transphobia, and some of us still do, and so sometimes this anxiety is justified: the world is still not safe for many of us.

So give yourself compassion, and understand that this anxiety is your body is trying to keep you safe. The aim is not to never feel anxiety, but not let it overwhelm us, so we can live peacefully in times of calm.

“Dealing with Anxiety” is one of the guided therapy programmes available on Voda.

Designed with leading psychotherapists, Voda combines mindfulness with cognitive behavioural therapy to develop digital therapy programs centred for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Download from the iOS App Store by searching "Voda LGBTQIA+" or at Voda.co.