LGBTQI+ Affirmative Counselling in London and Online
Despite increasing acceptance, LGBTQI+ people often face unique societal challenges. Our LGBTQI+ Counselling and Therapy services focus on fostering a supportive culture that values your experiences, identities, and relationships, empowering you to live authentically.
We know that those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or other gender identities and sexual orientations encounter many joys and also unique stressors that can impact their relationships and well-being. LGBTQI+ Affirmative Counselling for individuals, couples, and families can help improve relationships within families and social circles, aid in the understanding of LGBTQI+ identities, and promote healthier, more supportive communication.
In both our London-based and online LGBTQI+ counselling and therapy sessions, we offer a safe, confidential space to explore your feelings, confront your challenges, and strengthen your relationships and mental health. Our experienced therapists are dedicated to supporting you with thoughtfulness and sensitivity on your journey to personal and relational growth and well-being.
How LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy can help
Counselling and psychotherapy, online and in person, can support a range of needs surrounding emotional, mental and relational well-being, whether specifically related to the LGBTQIA+ experience or otherwise. Issues and difficulties which impact everyone can intersect with challenges faced due to sexuality and gender identity. An experienced, affirming therapist can support individuals, couples, and families in navigating their experiences in a way that meets their specific needs. Leone Centre’s LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy can help with:
- Anxiety and stress
- Depression and low mood
- Marriage, relationships and attachment styles
- Families, including fertility and blended and non-traditional family styles
- Bereavement, grief and loss
- Trauma and PTSD
- Divorce, breakups and separation
- Psychosexual (sex)
- Communication and social confidence
- Bullying and isolation
- Self-awareness and emotional wellbeing
- Parenting includes parents of individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual, intersex, and other gender identities and sexual orientations.
- Self-esteem and overcoming negative core beliefs
Comprehensive Therapy Services
At Leone Centre, our therapists are experienced in addressing the specific emotional and mental health needs of the LGBTQI+ community. We aim to help with any emotional difficulties you may face, ensuring you have the support necessary to thrive in all areas of your life, relationships, life choices, work environments, and social life. We offer a wide range of therapy services, including individual, couple, family, and psychosexual counselling, tailored to the specific needs of the LGBTQI+ community.
Each service is designed to support personal well-being and relationship enhancement.
Our experienced, professional LGBTQI+ Affirmative Therapists, available for sessions in London and online, can work with you to support you on your journey to reach your unique goals and to help you work through your emotions and thought processes to become and remain mentally and emotionally healthy.
View our LGBTQI+ Affirmative Therapists
About sexuality and gender
The terms “sexuality”, “sexual orientation”, and “sexual preference” relate to how a person experiences and expresses sexual and romantic preferences.
The term “gender identity” relates to how a person feels, identifies and presents in terms of gender.
Realising a sense of “difference” in a heteronormative culture can be confusing and difficult. ‘Taking the necessary steps to understand and develop an acceptance of yourself is imperative for your mental and emotional well-being.
Commonly, people seek Counselling or Psychotherapy to work through a phase of adjustment or a particular difficulty in their relationships. Often, if difficult emotions are buried and not addressed, this can lead to further emotional difficulties and issues later on. Our LGBTQI+ Affirmative Therapists are available in London and online to support you, regardless of where you are in your journey.
About coming out
Coming out is a term used to describe telling others about your sexual orientation or your gender identity. Having these conversations can sometimes be challenging. You may fear being judged, rejected, or misunderstood, particularly if your social or familial networks have demonstrated prejudices in the past. It is vital that you prioritise your safety and well-being whilst exploring your sexual or gender identity.
However, a negative response is not always the outcome, and many people feel supported and understood by those they’re coming out to. Whatever your situation, it can, however, be an emotionally draining time for various societal and individual reasons personal to you.
Counselling and Therapy can be instrumental for couples, families and individuals in resolving emotional responses to disclosing gender identities, sexual and romantic preferences and relationship types.
LGBTQI+ Counselling FAQs
Your questions about LGBTQI+ affirmative Counselling were answered.
We are a married gay or lesbian couple experiencing issues with our families of origin. Can Marriage Counselling help?
Yes, Marriage Counselling can help your relationships with your families of origin. Our relationships make our entire lives. Many couples commonly experience issues with their family or origin at some point during their relationship. These issues can be heightened in relationships that the family may find harder to understand and value.
Marriage Counselling can help in understanding the influence that the family of origin has on the relationship, addressing cross-cultural issues, religion, communication, unconscious biases as well as coming out.
I am a member of the LGBTQI+ community, and I am going through a divorce. Can Counselling help?
Going through significant life changes can be incredibly challenging, especially within the LGBTQI+ community. The challenges to be expected can include:
- Arising or triggering mental health issues.
- Fear of rejection by friends and family.
- Taking the next steps to move forward.
Counselling can help clients come to terms with their feelings and concerns and adjust to new, challenging, and lonely stages in life.
My child identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or another gender identity or sexual orientation and has been bullied at school. I need to talk with someone. Can you help?
Yes. It can be very worrying and upsetting to see a child go through a difficult and unjust experience. Our team of experienced Therapists can provide support through individual or family Therapy sessions.
This session will provide you and/or your family with a safe space to discuss experiences and accompanying feelings openly.
I am a member of the LGBTQI+ community; can my Therapist also be gay?
Choosing a Therapist is an incredibly personal decision that should depend on you and whom you feel comfortable with. We will always work to ensure that your Therapist is in a position to understand you and your needs and help you find a good match.
At the Leone Centre, we understand the importance of finding a Therapist who can provide a safe and empathetic environment, especially for individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, transgender, non-binary or otherwise a member of the LGBTQI+ community. We understand that connecting with a Therapist who shares or can empathise with similar experiences can be invaluable in fostering a sense of understanding and trust. However, it is also essential to recognise that no two people’s experiences will be identical. Important factors to ask when choosing a Therapist include questions about the Therapist’s education, training, and understanding of the issues that LGBTQI+ clients will face.
LGBTQI+ Affirmative Therapy Services
Online LGBTQI+ Counselling
Professional, secure and confidential LGBTQI Online Therapy is often a good model of support for individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and other gender identities and sexual orientations. Conducted via secure digital platforms, Online Counselling provides a safe, non-judgmental space to explore issues such as identity, coming out, discrimination, relationships, and self-esteem. A professional, affirming Counsellor can help to promote self-acceptance while upholding privacy and professional standards.
LGBTQI+ Couples Counselling
We often work with lesbian, gay, bisexual, non-binary, and transgender couples, and those who are otherwise a member of the LGBTQI+ community. Whether you are seeking to mend or deepen a relationship or to have professional support during your separation or divorce process, we have a range of services available both in London and online that can help address the issues that affect LGBTQI+ communities.
Couples and individuals use our LGBTQI+ Counselling services to work through their relationships and address issues with the help of an experienced Therapist.
LGBTQI+ Psychosexual (Sex) Counselling
Our Psychosexual Therapy, also known as Sex Therapy, supports individuals and couples of all sexualities and gender identities. Our Psychosexual Therapists are highly trained and empathetic to a range of experiences. They can support individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and other gender identities and sexual orientations. Leone Centre Psychosexual Therapists, who are available for both in-person sessions in London and online sessions, recognise the unique experiences of sex and relationships, which are integral to sexual and psychological well-being.
LGBTQI+ Psychosexual (Sex) Counselling
LGBTQI+ Family Therapy
Family Counselling can be particularly beneficial for families with one or more LGBTQI+ members. Our professional Family Therapists help build understanding and acceptance, facilitating open communication and addressing specific challenges related to gender and sexual identity. This supportive, confidential environment promotes emotional well-being and enhances resilience against external pressures and discrimination, enabling the creation of a more harmonious and supportive family dynamic.
Fast-Track LGBTQI+ Affirmative Therapy
Our fast-track LGBTQI+ Therapy provides rapid and targeted support for those exploring the complexities of gender and sexual identity within the fast pace of modern life. It offers quick access to Therapy sessions unique to each individual’s needs. It’s designed to address urgent concerns and facilitate a quicker journey towards personal well-being, allowing individuals to manage crises and enhance their resilience in a supportive environment.
Fast-Track LGBTQI+ Affirmative Therapy
LGBTQI+ Divorce Counselling
Our LGBTQI+ Divorce Therapy combines the understanding of gender and sexual identity complexities with the emotional support needed during a divorce. It offers a personalised approach to support the unique challenges LGBTQI+ individuals face in separation, providing emotional validation and co-parenting guidance, all within a supportive and affirming environment. This aims to facilitate personal growth and self-discovery, helping individuals rebuild their lives with a renewed sense of purpose and direction.
Citations
Gay affirmative Psychotherapy with Lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals: Implications for Contemporary Psychotherapy research APA Psychnet
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