Do you identify as LGBTQI+?
Are you struggling with your relationship? Are you and your partner(s) struggling with communication? Is your family struggling to accept or support you? Are you having difficulty understanding what each other is going through?
Do not be afraid to ask for help.
In our heteronormative society, LGBTQI+ people are more prone to experiencing mental health problems, often experiencing discrimination based on their gender or sexuality. This can lead to feelings of isolation, low self-esteem or fear. When combined with other factors such as religion, age or ethnicity, our society can feel like a really challenging place to exist, let alone thrive.
Talking to a counsellor with specific experience of working with LGBTQI+ people, may be a way to help you, you and your partner(s) or your family, find a safe space to address difficult emotions with someone you trust, so you no longer feel stuck or have to suffer alone. LGBTQI+ counselling is a confidential and non-judgemental space for you to talk about whatever you are struggling with, with the assistance of experienced professionals there to help you through it.
What issues can LGBTQI+ counselling help me with?
LGBTQI+ counselling may help individuals, couples or families with:
- feelings of depression and anxiety
- relationship and communication issues
- struggles with low self-esteem
- coping with discrimination socially or at work
- understanding or accepting you or a family member’s sexual orientation or gender identity
- support during your own, a partner(s) or family member’s transition
- support in coming out
- gender diversity or dysphoria
- suicidal thoughts.
Who can go to LGBTQI+ counselling?
LGBTQI+ counselling is for everyone; individuals, couples and families can all benefit from talking about their gender and sexual orientation-related issues with an experienced counsellor or therapist.
LGBTQI+ counselling for individuals
Individual counselling and psychotherapy could be right for you, if you want to talk about your personal journey as an LGBTQI+ person, and any difficulties you are encountering. Whether it is low mood, self-acceptance or coming out, LGBTQI+ counselling can provide you with a space to delve into yourself with the help of a counsellor, to understand why you are feeling this way, and work together to find a path to a more positive place. It can be difficult to open up to friends or family about issues related to your LGBTQI+ identity if they don’t understand you, but LGBTQI+ counsellors are here to listen, make you feel heard and help you through this difficult time.
Find out more about Individual Counselling and Psychotherapy at Leone Centre here.
LGBTQI+ counselling for couples
Are you and your partner(s) going through a difficult time? Maybe you feel like your own feelings surrounding your sexual orientation or gender identity are affecting your partner(s)? Perhaps you keep having the same arguments and you can’t work out how to change your pattern? Maybe your partner(s) is struggling with their mental health or identity and you want to work together to find the right way to support them? LGBTQI+ couples counselling can help you address challenges in your relationship, whether living apart or together, and work together to understand and support each other better and improve your communication. Relationships can be difficult to navigate, and there is no shame in getting the support of a therapist or counsellor to help you move forward as a couple.
You can read more about Couples Counselling at Leone Centre here.
LGBTQI+ counselling for families
It can feel really difficult when you or a family member are struggling, but you know that you need to work things out together in order to move forward. Maybe your parents or siblings are having a hard time understanding your identity and don’t know how to talk to you about it, or you are worried about your LGBTQI+-identifying child’s mental health and want to find ways to support them, with them? LGBTQI+ family counselling offers a space for you and your family to address issues together. A counsellor can create a safe environment and help you learn tools to express yourselves and communicate healthily, set helpful boundaries and improve understanding of one another, when this might feel impossible to do at home.
Read about Leone Centre’s approaches to family therapy here.
If you have read something that strikes a chord, get in touch. Leone Centre LGBTQI+ Counselling is here to help you, you and your partner(s) or your family through any issues you may be experiencing.
- About the Author
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Co-founder and director of Leone Centre, 20+ years of experience supporting people, and offering valuable knowledge through Couples Counselling and Individual Counselling. Before becoming a therapist, I worked in the financial sector.
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