LGBTQI+ Affirmative Counselling

LGBTQI+ Affirmative Counselling

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LGBTQI+ Affirmative Counselling

LGBTQI+ Counselling

Today, there is a wider acceptance of difference in the UK, but evidence still suggests that people in the LGBTQI+ community are more likely to have to work harder to maintain their mental health.

There are still many challenges to face for gay men, lesbians and people from the LGBTQI+ community living in a heteronormative culture. This is where LGBTQI+ Counselling, Individual, Couples and Family Therapy can help.

At Leone Centre we are aware of the challenges that can come with issues around sexuality and gender identity, including discrimination, rejection and victimisation, all of which can have a detrimental impact on wellbeing, including emotional and mental health.

Working through such challenges can also have an impact on other areas of one’s life, including low self-esteem, relationships and life choices, work environments and social life.

If you feel that you are having issues related to your sexuality that you cannot resolve alone, it is important that you reach out to a trained professional. It is likely that you can benefit from counselling and psychotherapy.

Our therapists 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 maintain healthy mental health.

Sexuality and Gender

Sexuality relates to who and what someone is attracted to, whereas Gender Identity is a way to describe how someone feels about their gender.

It can be confusing and difficult in a heteronormative culture when you come to the realisation that there might be something different about you and to take the steps necessary to understand and develop an acceptance of yourself.

It is very common that people seek LGBTQI+ Counselling to help find their own way through a phase of adjustment or to make sense of a particular difficulty in their relationships. We often find that if difficult emotions are buried and not addressed, this can lead to further emotional difficulties and issues later down the line.

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 difficult. You may fear being judged, rejected, or misunderstood.

It is not always the case, however, and many people feel very 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.

Couples LGBTQI+ Affirmative Counselling & Psychotherapy

We often work with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples and individuals. Whether it is to mend or deepen a relationship or to have a professional support your separation/divorce process, we have a range of services that can help address the issues that affect LGBTQI+ communities.

Couples and individuals use our LGBTQI+ Counselling Services to think through their relationships and address issues with the help of an experienced therapist.

Heteronormative Culture & Unconscious Biases

Despite an increasingly accepting culture, we still have a very long way to go. Unconscious bias within a heteronormative culture weighs heavy.

We are familiar with and experienced in working with the LGBTQI+ community and will work with you in a confidential and non-judgemental space. Our committed therapists have a wealth of experience to help you work with your own unique issues that you would like to resolve.

If you are having issues or problems or want support related to your sexuality or gender, we invite you to reach out today.

LGBTQI+ Counselling FAQs

We are a married lesbian couple experiencing some issues with our families of origin. Can marriage counselling help?

Yes, marriage counselling can definitely 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 when 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 transsexual polyamorous, and divorcing from my husband. Can counselling help?

Going through major changes in life can be incredibly challenging, especially within the LGBTQI+ community. The challenges to be expected can include arising or triggering mental health issues, fear of being accepted by friends and family, and taking the next steps to move forward.

Counselling can help clients to come to terms with their feelings and any concerns they may have and adjust to new stages in life that can be an extremely difficult and lonely time.

My 16 years old gay son has been cyberbullied at school. I need to talk with someone. Can you help?

Yes. It can be so worrying and upsetting to see a son go through such a difficult and unjust experience. Our team of experienced therapists can provide support via an individual or family therapy session.

This session will provide your parent and/or your family a safe space where they can be open about what they have experienced and how it made them feel.

I am gay; can my therapist also be gay?

Choosing a therapist is an incredibly personal decision and should be dependent on the person and who they feel comfortable with. We will always try to make sure that your therapist will be in a position to understand you and your needs and help you to find a good match.

While it is understandable that someone who is gay will feel understood by a therapist who is also gay, it is also important to recognise that no two people’s experiences are the same. 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.


Citations

Gay affirmative psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals: Implications for contemporary psychotherapy research APA Psychnet

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Talk with a Leone Centre Professional

If you do feel like you need some help and support, our Leone Centre professionals are available 7 days a week. Call us on 020 3930 1007. We can also provide fast track therapy.

We can offer in-person counselling in London appointments at our head office in Fulham and our offices in Kensington, Wimbledon and Belgravia, We also service Victoria, Putney, Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Mayfair, and City of London.

In addition, we offer Online Therapy appointments wherever in the world you are located, should this better fit around your existing commitments or if you are not able to attend an in-person appointment.