LGBTQIA+ Counselling Melbourne

I understand that it can be confusing to differentiate between psychologists, counsellors, and therapists who are queer/LGBTQIA+ or LGBTQIA+friendly. It's important to find someone who creates a safe and non-judgmental space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings.

Psychologists and counsellors are trained to provide therapy, but psychologists tend to have more clinical and research-based practices, while counsellors focus more on providing therapeutic support and guidance.

Queer/LGBTQIA+ psychologists and counsellors who are part of the community use there lived experience to better empathise and understand LGBTQIA+ clients. They have extensive knowledge of the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals and can provide the appropriate support.

LGBTQIA+ friendly therapists are compassionate professionals who may not have specialized training and usually don’t have lived experience. They however work to create a space where clients can discuss their mental health concerns. They are usually committed to educating themselves on the specific needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.

I understand that you may prefer to seek out psychologists or counsellors who identify as LGBTQIA+. It is crucial to feel heard and understood, especially when undergoing therapy. By selecting a therapist who can relate to your unique challenges and experiences, you can establish a comfortable and supportive atmosphere that facilitates healing.

LGBTQIA+ psychologists and counsellors with lived experience offer a level of understanding that helps clients feel acknowledged and validated. Their empathy can help break down any shame related to LGBT issues, leading to greater rapport between you and your therapist and making you feel less isolated.

LGBTQIA+ counsellors and psychologists know that it takes more than just a rainbow flag on a website to make someone feel accepted and valued.

They are sensitive to the fact that assumptions can be damaging, and they prioritise asking about your pronouns and try and avoid making assumptions about intimate relationships structures.

They are curious about your coming out experience, and your current relationship with your sexuality.

They are aware of the unique challenges that the LGBT community faces, such as social isolation, discrimination, and shame. They are there to support you and to help you navigate these challenges, so that you can feel more socially connected, less ashamed, and more resilient.

Here are some tips to help you find the LGBT counsellor in Melbourne for you.

Reach out to your community and ask for recommendations. Someone close to you may know a LGBT counsellor in Melbourne who could be a good fit for you. Make sure to ask for details about their experience working with the therapist.

You can also browse therapist directories, such as Psychology Today, Good Therapy, and Australian Psychological Society. These directories have filters that can help you narrow down your search based on your preferences. You can also check out Vic Inclusive Practitioners, a list of therapists and practitioners working with diverse populations, including LGBTQIA+ counseling in Melbourne.

Be cautious of therapy profiles that include long specialty lists and look for specific LGBTQIA+ experience and training. Don't be afraid to ask questions and have a conversation with potential therapists before scheduling an appointment. Its ok to ask your potential new therapist if there are also LGBTQIA+.

LGBTQIA+ Counsellors in Melbourne, who have firsthand experience, tend to focus their mental health training and efforts on supporting the communities they belong to.

They stay up to date on research on health outcomes for the LGBTQIA+ community, they read on queer theory, keep abreast of local LGBTQIA related news and services offered by peak LGBT organizations.

They understand the unique developmental experiences that are common to LGBT individuals. For instance, they deeply understand that denying one's sexuality during adolescence is a shared experience for many that can severely impact our relationship with ourselves and our ability to trust our emotions.

Ideally, LGBT counsellors in Melbourne have learned that making assumptions can be harmful and will educate themselves on the specific experiences of that are outside of their personal experience. For example, they seek secondary consultation and training from with trans and nonbinary practioners on issues related to trans and nonbinary clients.

Perhaps you’ve tried a bunch of different therapies, and still feel distressed by specific memories that come up even when you try your best to push them out of your mind? EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing could be right for you.

EMDR is a memory-processing therapy that helps you process painful memories that are still causing you distress in the present. Following processing, you retain the memories but live without the associated distress.

When EMDR therapy has been effective, you will have a sense that the memory is in the past and no longer bothers you. Your EMDR therapist will review your goals to see if the changes you were hoping to see are beginning to emerge.

An LGBTQIA+ counsellor in Melbourne with lived experience will be particularly aware of common traumas people in the community experience. For example, keeping your sexuality secret is often a period of aloneness and overwhelm, which is highly distressing for most adolescents.