Counselling for LGBTQ+ Folks - A Space Where You Don’t Have to Explain Yourself
Support with identity, relationships, mental health, and the unique challenges of being LGBTQ+ today.
The feeling of being different or misunderstood predominates a lot of experiences of being a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Whether gay, bisexual, ace, trans, queer or questioning, navigating identity or internalised shame can make it harder to feel at ease with yourself.
Whether you’re looking to talk about navigating your identity, coming out, dating, relationships, hookup culture, family dynamics, rejection, or any other mental health challenges linked to minority stress, I’ll have space for you.
As a gay man with experience supporting others in the community, I am in a position to meet you where you’re at. There’s no need to censor parts of yourself, translate your experiences, or justify why things feel hard, we can start exactly where you are. My style is relational, reflective and non-judgemental, meaning I will meet you as a whole person and welcome all of your experiences.
I aim to create a space where you don’t need to educate me.
Affirming counselling means you do not have to explain, defend or minimise who you are. I aim to offer a space where your identity, relationships and experiences are understood in context, including the impact of stigma, discrimination, family expectations or feeling different. We can explore whatever is important to you without assuming that your sexuality or gender is either the problem or irrelevant to what you are going through.
Some common reasons LGBTQ+ people might seek support are:
Identity and self-acceptance
Coming out (at any stage of life)
Relationships and intimacy
Loneliness and connection
Sexuality and shame
Body image and comparison
Mental health (anxiety, depression, low self-worth)
Navigating apps, dating, or hookup culture
Experiences of discrimination or rejection
Please be assured that my practice is LGBTQ+ affirming, welcoming people across the spectrum. I don’t exclude anybody from speaking with me, but I offer some specialisms.
Please note I offer sessions online (across the UK), or where I’m based around West Yorkshire (primarily Leeds and Wakefield).
If you’re looking for a counsellor who understands the complexities of being a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you’re welcome to get in touch.
I offer a free 20-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit.
Sessions cost £45 in-person at my office in Castleford during weekday evenings and weekends. I also offer online sessions at £35 per appointment. Sessions last 50 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. You do not need to have a label, an answer, or a clear sense of what things mean for you. Counselling can be a place to explore questions around sexuality, gender or identity without pressure to reach a particular conclusion.
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Affirming counselling means your identity is respected and accepted rather than treated as something that needs to be changed or explained away. It also means recognising how experiences such as stigma, discrimination, family expectations or minority stress may affect wellbeing.
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Absolutely. You might want to talk about anxiety, relationships, grief, work, self-esteem, family, loneliness or something entirely different. Being LGBTQ+ may be an important part of your life, but it does not have to be the focus of counselling.
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Counselling can give you a confidential and non-judgemental space to explore your thoughts and feelings at your own pace. I will not try to steer you towards a particular identity or outcome.
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Yes. We can explore what coming out means for you, including hopes, fears, relationships and questions about safety or timing. There is no assumption that you should come out, or that doing so is always the right choice.
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Yes. You are welcome to explore relationships, dating, intimacy, jealousy, break-ups, family dynamics or anything else that feels important. I aim not to make assumptions about what relationships should look like.
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You do not need to present yourself in a particular way or have the “right” language to use in counselling. My aim is to offer a warm, respectful and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about your experiences and decide what feels important to explore.
Practical information
Online sessions: £35
In-person sessions: £45
Session length: 50 minutes
In-person location: Castleford
Online sessions: Available across the UK
Evening appointments: Available
Reduced-fee spaces: Available
Free introductory call: 20 minutes