LGBTQ+ counselling provides LGBTQ+ people resources and information about accessing counselling and psychotherapy.
Over time, the site will become a comprehensive resource full of information about the diverse world of LGBTQ+ therapy.
For now, if you have found the site, you’ll notice there isn’t a lot here for now. But over time it will grow, and I look forward to welcoming you back!
What is LGBTQ+ Counselling?
LGBTQ+ counselling is therapy and psychological support that is focused on the needs of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual/aromantic/agender.
It isn’t a specific approach, or modality, of therapy (like person-centred, or Jungian analysis) but instead focuses on the intersectional differences that LGBTQ+ clients have when compared to the general population. That said, there are certain types of therapy that are distinctly queer and anti-heteronormative and, more generally, many therapists will practice what is known as LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy.
Affirmative therapy (gay affirmative therapy, trans affirmative therapy, poly affirmative therapy, and so on) embraces a positive and healthy view of what it means to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, non-binary, polyamorous, and so on. It considers the reality of what it is to be LGBTQ+ within a heteronormative world. Lived experiences such a biphobia, transphobia, and other forms of prejudice and discrimination experienced by clients are understood to be significant forms of structural inequality that cannot be revolved or solved by the client themselves but reflected upon with compassion.
