Come As You Are
If you are coming to counselling as someone who is gender and/or sexuality diverse, it is crucial that your therapist does not 'tolerate' but fully accepts and celebrates you. Therapy is a space to come to as yourself- authentically, and without shame. As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community my approach is non-pathologising and queer and trans-affirming.
I believe that self-acceptance and knowing who we really are is life changing. This is something we all deserve and have access to. I create space to celebrate and sit with trans and queer joy. This can be overlooked by those around us, as often our experiences are only seen through the lens of being a problem.
You may identify as LGBTQIA+ but not feel this is something you need to discuss in therapy. It may just be nice to know that you won't need to explain yourself to your therapist. Click here for an article I wrote about finding a therapist as a queer person.
Sexuality
I know that the world is not entirely queer accepting/affirming yet. Lots of us still experience judgement and discrimination from our families and in society. People tend to assume we are heterosexual until we say otherwise, and coming out is an ongoing process.
There can be many reasons that your sexuality is a factor in you seeking therapy. Coming out may have caused tensions or breakdowns in significant relationships. Perhaps there are cultural or religious reasons that your sexuality is or was not understood or accepted. You may need to process experiences of homophobia or biphobia while being out in the world, and/or internalised homo/biphobia. You might be asexual or aromantic and looking to understand navigating that, or to be validated in your ace identity.
Gender
I’m acutely aware that if you’re trans or a gender minority and living in the UK things are increasingly difficult as trans rights are under attack and healthcare is becoming less accessible. I can help you explore the impact of this, and find ways to foster your resilience and connect with what supports you.
Exploring your gender identity and expression in a safe therapeutic space is imperative. I am accepting of all genders, have worked with trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming clients over many years, and I identify as trans non-binary myself. A safe and cherishing counselling relationship can be a place to experiment and safely explore your relationship to your gender, and how you navigate that in a world that does not generally allow space for gender variance or fluidity.
I believe that self-acceptance and knowing who we really are is life changing. This is something we all deserve and have access to. I create space to celebrate and sit with trans and queer joy. This can be overlooked by those around us, as often our experiences are only seen through the lens of being a problem.
You may identify as LGBTQIA+ but not feel this is something you need to discuss in therapy. It may just be nice to know that you won't need to explain yourself to your therapist. Click here for an article I wrote about finding a therapist as a queer person.
Sexuality
I know that the world is not entirely queer accepting/affirming yet. Lots of us still experience judgement and discrimination from our families and in society. People tend to assume we are heterosexual until we say otherwise, and coming out is an ongoing process.
There can be many reasons that your sexuality is a factor in you seeking therapy. Coming out may have caused tensions or breakdowns in significant relationships. Perhaps there are cultural or religious reasons that your sexuality is or was not understood or accepted. You may need to process experiences of homophobia or biphobia while being out in the world, and/or internalised homo/biphobia. You might be asexual or aromantic and looking to understand navigating that, or to be validated in your ace identity.
Gender
I’m acutely aware that if you’re trans or a gender minority and living in the UK things are increasingly difficult as trans rights are under attack and healthcare is becoming less accessible. I can help you explore the impact of this, and find ways to foster your resilience and connect with what supports you.
Exploring your gender identity and expression in a safe therapeutic space is imperative. I am accepting of all genders, have worked with trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming clients over many years, and I identify as trans non-binary myself. A safe and cherishing counselling relationship can be a place to experiment and safely explore your relationship to your gender, and how you navigate that in a world that does not generally allow space for gender variance or fluidity.