LGBTQIA+ and gender diverse clients
The majority of my ten years of experience has been working with LGBTQIA+ clients (this can include gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, pansexuals, trans and non-binary individuals, intersex people, queer people, those questioning their sexuality and gender, asexuals, men who have sex with men and women who have sex with women).
My counselling is queer affirmative; that means that we work towards acceptance and celebration of non-straight sexualities and non-cis genders. I practice GSRD Therapy (Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diverse) which is actively supporting and understanding of queer and non-heteronormative ways of living and being - I am passionate about challenging society's tendency of accepting difference only when it fits into a heteronormative model, and instead work towards acceptance of all forms of relationship. I support my LGBTQIA+ clients in reaching self acceptance and negotiating life within a heteronormative culture.
Your sexuality/gender/relationship style will not necessarily be the focus of our counselling work, unless you want it to be. Rather, I offer a safe space in which you can feel comfortable that your desires, way of being and way of doing relationships is not pathologised but is understood and affirmed, as you explore issues which may relate to them, along with other areas of your life.
People may have specific issues they would like to work on such as negotiating non-monogamy within a currently monogamous relationship, getting support around leaving an unhealthy relationship, getting support around starting to explore the kinky side of their sexuality, experiencing jealousy in a non-monogamous relationship, or living a more authentic life. Some issues that LGBTQIA+ clients experience in addition to the above may include seeking self acceptance, support in coming out, exploring their gender identity, or living a queer life in a heteronormative culture.
LGBTQIA+ people may have to deal with pain and trauma which can be associated with the coming out process, dealing with the reactions of friends, family and co-workers, being part of an oppressed minority and of self-acceptance as an LGBTQIA+ person. In addition, there can be issues around social isolation, body image, substance abuse, chemsex, sex addiction and compulsivity, homophobia/biphobia/transphobia, bullying and victimisation, and HIV/STI-associated risky behaviour.
I continue to undertake training on working with LGBTQIA+ clients including trans clients, on issues around chemsex, and on HIV/AIDS awareness, and attend academic conferences on gender and sexuality, as well as drawing on my personal experiences as a queer person and my relationships with other LGBTQI+ people.
The majority of my ten years of experience has been working with LGBTQIA+ clients (this can include gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, pansexuals, trans and non-binary individuals, intersex people, queer people, those questioning their sexuality and gender, asexuals, men who have sex with men and women who have sex with women).
My counselling is queer affirmative; that means that we work towards acceptance and celebration of non-straight sexualities and non-cis genders. I practice GSRD Therapy (Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diverse) which is actively supporting and understanding of queer and non-heteronormative ways of living and being - I am passionate about challenging society's tendency of accepting difference only when it fits into a heteronormative model, and instead work towards acceptance of all forms of relationship. I support my LGBTQIA+ clients in reaching self acceptance and negotiating life within a heteronormative culture.
Your sexuality/gender/relationship style will not necessarily be the focus of our counselling work, unless you want it to be. Rather, I offer a safe space in which you can feel comfortable that your desires, way of being and way of doing relationships is not pathologised but is understood and affirmed, as you explore issues which may relate to them, along with other areas of your life.
People may have specific issues they would like to work on such as negotiating non-monogamy within a currently monogamous relationship, getting support around leaving an unhealthy relationship, getting support around starting to explore the kinky side of their sexuality, experiencing jealousy in a non-monogamous relationship, or living a more authentic life. Some issues that LGBTQIA+ clients experience in addition to the above may include seeking self acceptance, support in coming out, exploring their gender identity, or living a queer life in a heteronormative culture.
LGBTQIA+ people may have to deal with pain and trauma which can be associated with the coming out process, dealing with the reactions of friends, family and co-workers, being part of an oppressed minority and of self-acceptance as an LGBTQIA+ person. In addition, there can be issues around social isolation, body image, substance abuse, chemsex, sex addiction and compulsivity, homophobia/biphobia/transphobia, bullying and victimisation, and HIV/STI-associated risky behaviour.
I continue to undertake training on working with LGBTQIA+ clients including trans clients, on issues around chemsex, and on HIV/AIDS awareness, and attend academic conferences on gender and sexuality, as well as drawing on my personal experiences as a queer person and my relationships with other LGBTQI+ people.
Gender Affirmative Therapy
I practice Gender Affirmative Therapy (GAT). As Meg-John Barker explains:
'GAT is based on the position that gender is diverse and that no gender identity or expression is inherently superior or more ‘natural’, ‘normal’ or valid than any other. This includes the assumption that it is no more preferable to be cisgender (remaining in the gender you were assigned at birth) than it is to be trans (shifting from the gender you were assigned at birth), or vice versa. Both trans and cisgender are big umbrella terms encompassing a diverse range of experiences, expressions, and identities.'
My role is to facilitate clients' exploration of their gender identity and expression, not to confirm or persuade them to be trans. I remain mindful of the intersections with other aspects of experience and identities such as race, class, sexuality, age, and disability, and bring these aspects into the conversation. Once the client's relationship to gender feels more clear, I encourage my clients to celebrate and remain curious about their gender, and to see it as exciting and expansive, rather than inherently stressful and limiting.
I have been working with trans clients for 9 years now, and for many years a third to a half of my clients have been trans. I have supported people in exploring their gender identity, in making decisions about social and medical transition, and through these transitions including going onto hormones, facial feminisation surgeries, and lower surgery. We also work to facilitate building support networks and connecting with community, explore medical transition options, and seek online support, whilst navigating the more hostile elements of transphobes on social media and in the media in general.
I practice Gender Affirmative Therapy (GAT). As Meg-John Barker explains:
'GAT is based on the position that gender is diverse and that no gender identity or expression is inherently superior or more ‘natural’, ‘normal’ or valid than any other. This includes the assumption that it is no more preferable to be cisgender (remaining in the gender you were assigned at birth) than it is to be trans (shifting from the gender you were assigned at birth), or vice versa. Both trans and cisgender are big umbrella terms encompassing a diverse range of experiences, expressions, and identities.'
My role is to facilitate clients' exploration of their gender identity and expression, not to confirm or persuade them to be trans. I remain mindful of the intersections with other aspects of experience and identities such as race, class, sexuality, age, and disability, and bring these aspects into the conversation. Once the client's relationship to gender feels more clear, I encourage my clients to celebrate and remain curious about their gender, and to see it as exciting and expansive, rather than inherently stressful and limiting.
I have been working with trans clients for 9 years now, and for many years a third to a half of my clients have been trans. I have supported people in exploring their gender identity, in making decisions about social and medical transition, and through these transitions including going onto hormones, facial feminisation surgeries, and lower surgery. We also work to facilitate building support networks and connecting with community, explore medical transition options, and seek online support, whilst navigating the more hostile elements of transphobes on social media and in the media in general.
Kink-friendly and non-traditional relationships
I am a 'kink knowledgeable' therapist (NCSF definition), which means I understand and am accepting of BDSM lifestyles, relationships and activities, and will not try to 'cure' you of your interest in BDSM nor dissuade you from participating in BDSM activities.
I work in a positive way with people in non-traditional relationships such as polyamorous, open relationships, non-monogamous etc without judgement, and with an understanding of the dynamics of such relationship arrangements.
I am a 'kink knowledgeable' therapist (NCSF definition), which means I understand and am accepting of BDSM lifestyles, relationships and activities, and will not try to 'cure' you of your interest in BDSM nor dissuade you from participating in BDSM activities.
I work in a positive way with people in non-traditional relationships such as polyamorous, open relationships, non-monogamous etc without judgement, and with an understanding of the dynamics of such relationship arrangements.