If you are questioning your sexual or gender identity or you’re facing a gender- and sexuality- related issue, gender & LGBTQ issues therapy can support you and help.
Are you unclear about your gender or sexual identity and what this means for you? Or is that you are clear and confident on your gender and sexual identity, but still suffer from stress, anxiety or depression caused by the reactions of family, friends or work colleagues, or society’s attitude towards your choices in general?
Counselling for LGBTQ issues seeks to support you when you’re facing emotional stress related to your gender or sexual identity or other issues raised if you identify as LGBTQ.
Counselling for LGBTQ issues? I’m struggling with stress and anxiety not my sexual identity!
While what’s troubling you might be labelled as anxiety, depression, addiction, self-confidence or other challenges that people face whatever their sexual identity, people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, queer or questioning often face challenges unique to the LGBTQ community, with specific sets of circumstances or associated factors that are unique to the LGBTQ community, or in many ways far more prevalent than in the straight community.
Society and its attitudes towards the LGBTQ community have shifted enormously since the legalisation of homosexuality and further steps at becoming a more equal and permissive society, age of consent, right to marry, recognition of non-binary status.
Although there is much wider cultural acceptance of LGBTQ people in the United Kingdom than there was just a couple of decades ago, discrimination still exists, and the incidence of mental health problems and addiction are on the rise in the LGBTQ community.
What are the LGBTQ issues faced by today’s society?
People coming out often face the very real fear of rejection by friends and family and discrimination in their work or professional life. Even once out and confident, sometimes LGBTQ people face violence, bullying and hate crimes. All of these can lead to stress, depression, anxiety, identity issues, and poor self-esteem.
The rise of gender specific addictions and issues such as ChemSex, and the prevalence of incidents of self-harming and attempted suicide among the LGBTQ community suggest that no matter what public surveys show in respect to society’s tolerance and understanding, the statistics are telling another story.
Counselling for sexual/ gender identity & LGBTQ Issues
Counsellors and therapists offer a confidential, non-judgemental space to talk through the issues that trouble you whether that’s questioning your sexual orientation, worrying about your risky sexual behaviour, coping with challenging relationships as a result of your sexual identity or decisions, or indeed any aspect of being LGBTQ and coping with modern life.
Therapy and counselling can be enormously beneficial if you are facing emotional stress related to your gender or sexual identity. In a confidential, safe and non-judgmental setting, a therapist can offer strategies for managing your concerns over coming out, ways to deal with discrimination, and help to address other experiences faced by a member of the LGBTQ community, including relationships, marriage and parenting. You can also learn how to manage yourself, day-to-day, and find new ways of relating to yourself and others.
If you are questioning your sexual or gender identity or you’re facing a gender- and sexuality- related issue, find a therapist who can support you and help.
Please feel free to chat on the telephone to a few therapists or to meet several before deciding who you would like to work with. The initial session is an opportunity for both you and the therapist to decide if you would like to work together.
Helpful information & help on mental health and LGBTQ issues
Stonewall
Stonewall: We’re here to let all lesbian, gay, bi and trans people, here and abroad, know they’re not alone. Advice and support for everyone in or who cares for the LGBTQ community
Gendered Intelligence
Gendered Intelligence (GI) is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, established in 2008.
Our mission is to increase understandings of gender diversity through creative ways.
BGIOK (being gay is OK)
This site is more for children and teens coming to terms with their gender or sexual identity but they also have a useful and helpful page for parents or friends of someone who has just come out. Advice to parents of friends
Family Lives
Another site for families of anyone in the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQ cyberbullying: A guide for parents and educators
Advice to parents and educators to help LGBTQ youth to stay safe online. Although very much with an American slant it gives useful universal advice. This article may be useful in tandem with the next link.
Advice for parents & guardians of LGBTQ youth to stay safe online
VPN Mentor
This is an interesting and useful guide for anyone who wants to increase their security and prevent being a victim of Cyberbullying: Most LGBTQ are Cyberbullied. Here’s How to Stay Safe Online
© Brian Cotsen
