Hello
I am an accredited Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity Therapist counsellor and work with a wide range of clients, young and old who identify as part of the LQBTQIA+ community. If you identify as part of the LGBTTQQIAAP (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, ally, pansexual) community you are welcome and will be provided with a safe and inclusive space to share your difficulties.
Living with the stigma and oppression that often comes with being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, or any other sexuality or gender beyond the heterosexual norm, can put immense pressures on us. For this reason, people with diverse gender and sexual identities, may benefit from the emotional and psychological support to help them accept their own identities and find ways to deal with the prejudices and inequalities experienced from society, by someone who has great understanding and training of the social context in which they live their lives.
LGBTQIA+ individuals like any individuals have many reasons for coming to therapy. You may be stressed, depressed, anxious, have relationship issues, want to heal from abuse, or uncover how your past has shaped who you are today, and how you can shape your future. For everyone entering into therapy it is important to know you will be treated as an individual not be pathologized. You need to know that you, your gender, sexuality, and/or relationship style will not be seen as the issue, or that is something that is broken that needs to be fixed. As an experienced therapist, I have supported many people from LGBTQIA+ backgrounds and I am sensitive to some of the particular needs that face our communities.
LGBTQIA+ Youth
Sexual orientation and gender are important aspects of a young person’s identity. Expressing and exploring gender identity and roles is part of normal development however the process of understanding and exploring sexual orientation and gender identity is unique to each individual. Unfortunately, young people who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community can face various challenges because of how others respond to their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. This is also true for youth who are questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity, or may be perceived as LGBT or gender variant by others. I offer a safe place for young people to explore and express their gender identity and sexuality. I can support them to manage any LGBTQIA+ related adversity, stigma and discrimination, building confidence, resilience and self-acceptance for who they are, who they love and how they wish to express their authentic selves.
Resources
Stonewall offer information and support for LGBTQIA+ communities and their allies. For more information visit Stonewall here
Gendered Intelligence offers support to young trans people (18-24). They run youth groups and programmes and offer support for parents and carers of young trans people. They also offer trans awareness training and workshops for educational settings: Head to the Gendered Intelligence website.
GIC Comprehensive leaflet containing gender-related resources and information sources. Download the GIC resource leaflet
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