Providing a space where who you are is accepted, well understood, and not judged, is incredibly important to me. I understand the difficulties queer and LGBT+ folk can face when accessing therapy, such as having to educate your therapist about important aspects of who you are, dealing with microaggressions and assumptions, or your therapist not being aware of community specific challenges you might be facing. Sometimes therapists may erroneously link your LGBTQIA+ identity with the problems you are experiencing, or at the other end of the scale, ignore the impact that being LGBTQIA+ and experiencing discrimination, harassment, or stigma, for example, might be having on your mental health and wellbeing.

I endeavour to do my best to avoid these pitfalls within my therapeutic practice, and help you feel as comfortable as possible when coming to sessions. 

What this looks like:

• Asking for and using your pronouns and name (regardless of ‘official’ paperwork).
• Not assuming your gender or sexuality based on how you look.
• Not assuming the gender of any partner(s).
• Giving you space to discuss how your identity and related experiences impact your mental health, if you would like to.
• Commitment to continually learning about LGBTQ+ community issues, terms, and community needs. Being proactive and taking personal responsibility for filling in any knowledge gaps, rather than relying on you to educate me.
• Taking into account the systems we are a part of (eg. our local community, broader society, or family of origin), and how living in these systems has impacted our mental health and wellbeing in relation to our LGBTQ+ identity, when relevant.
• Leaving space for uncertainty and change, in your understanding of your sexuality or gender, for example. 
• Identifying and reducing my own biases that I’ve developed from living in a hetero- and cis-normative society.