Counselling for Issues unique to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Counselling
With wider recognition of diverse sexual orientations and gender identifications, more and more people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered are seeking therapy for support. Sometimes this can be for issues related to their orientation or gender identity, and other times simply for the same issues – depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, and so forth – for which anyone else seeks therapy.
Here at Aspen Counselling, we understand that there are some stressors and struggles that are unique to LGBT people.
What you can expect from LGBT Counselling at Aspen Counselling:
- Your therapist will have an understanding of the effects of stigma (i.e., prejudice, discrimination, and violence) and its various contextual manifestations in the lives of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people.
- Your therapist will treat your identified sexual orientation as a natural expression of your sexuality, not as a mental illness or a dysfunction. Being Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual are normal variants on the spectrum of human sexuality, and that includes same-sex attractions, feelings, and behaviour.
- Your therapist will strive to recognize the unique experiences of each person, regardless of the expression or manifestation of their sexual orientation.
- Your therapist will have experience of distinguishing issues of sexual orientation from those of gender identity.
- Your therapist will be knowledgeable about the dynamics and respect the importance of lesbian, gay, and bisexual relationships.
- Your therapist will have an understanding of the experiences and challenges faced by lesbian, gay, and bisexual parents, and that the families of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people may include people who are not legally or biologically related.
- Your therapist will have experience of understanding the ways in which a person’s lesbian, gay, or bisexual orientation may have an impact on his or her family of origin and the relationship with that family of origin.
- Your therapist will have an understanding of the impact of negative religious dogma in the lives of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people.
- Your therapist will have experience of dealing with LGBT sexual health issues, particularly in relation to the impact of HIV/AIDS on the lives of lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals and communities.
- Your therapist will have an awareness of the unique workplace issues that exist for lesbian, gay & bisexual individuals, especially in an instance where the workplace has a religious ethos.