LGBTQ+

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community I am extremely passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion. This permeates much of my work and I am continuously looking at ways to actively support the community and make my practice more inclusive.

Queer Therapy

Choosing a therapist is a personal experience that at times can be very challenging. Being queer can potentially add to this, as we unfortunately cannot assume that levels experience, judgement or bias will meet our expectations. I can also attest to the fact that training as a therapist does not typically involve any specific focus on working with LGBTQ+ clients, meaning that it is down to the therapist themselves to seek external personal and professional development.

Over the years since qualifying as a therapist, I’ve helped support many people in their exploration of LGBTQ+ related issues and I feel that I have a solid foundation for offering myself, my knowledge, and my experience. Each person’s story has touched me in some way, and I have learnt so much about resilience, shame, and the consequences of othering difference. I have come to know the importance of community, the need for safer spaces and the pain and beauty of navigating life as a queer person.

I work in a trauma-informed way, which is so important when working with the LGBTQ+ community. Acceptance and a sense of belonging is a fundamental human need and in being different or sitting outside of the Venn diagram of "normal", LGBTQ+ people often face being ostracised or verbally and sometimes physically attacked.

I believe that working with queer clients involves compassion, knowledge and a level of understanding that can only come from personal experience. Yes, of course any therapist can empathise with what it feels like to be queer, but I believe that sharing a real lived experience can facilitate a deeper therapeutic connection built on a foundation of understanding and solidarity.

Gender Diversity

As a practitioner I aim to create a safe and non-judgemental space that welcomes anyone no matter how they identify. As a nonbinary person myself, working with all genders, and especially trans and nonbinary folk, is not merely a professional mandate for me; it's an ingrained sensitivity honed through personal and professional interactions. Witnessing the pain of misgendering and exclusion has fuelled my commitment to creating safe spaces where individuals can explore their authentic selves – regardless of the box’s society tries to fit them into.

Relational Queerness

Relationship diversity is an often underrepresented and misunderstood area of queerness. I consider having an understanding of ethical non-monogamy (ENM) to be crucial for therapists in relationship counselling. I have both personal and professional experience that not only allows me to acknowledge various ENM structures like polyamory and open relationships, but ensures that I am able to avoid monogamous bias and build trust with clients, who feel understood and respected when their relationship choices are validated.

ENM relationships require unique communication and negotiation skills, different from monogamous ones. Therapists with ENM knowledge can address issues like jealousy and time management effectively and help clients navigate societal judgement and discrimination. Additionally, ENM involves multiple partners, requiring guidance in handling complex emotional dynamics. Supportive therapy allows clients to explore identities and relationships, enhancing mental health and leading to greater relationship stability and satisfaction.