Growing Pains: An Eriksonian View of the Arc of Presenting Concerns in an LGBT Community Mental Health Center

This article explores the evolving landscape of mental health practice at a New York City community health center serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons and those living with HIV/AIDS. Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development is used to understand the shift in presenting problems that has occurred over the past decade. In the authors’ analysis, the emphasis in treatment of LGBT persons has evolved from “coming out” concerns to issues related to developing intimate relationships, fostering generativity, and ego integrity in later adulthood. Case examples illustrate the changing focus of treatment over time. This article concludes by providing mental health practitioners with recommendations for working with the LGBT community now and over the following decade.