What Is Having a LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Therapist Like?

• First and foremost is NO assumptions- your gender identity and sexuality is unique to YOU. An inclusive therapist will have curiosity around your gender and sexuality, how it impacts your relationships, your sense of self, your feelings of safety/security, your lifestyle, without making it your entire identity. I like to see gender and sexuality as a spectrum, which I feel leaves space for the fact that some definitions/labels don’t fit an individual’s feelings/preferences/experiences neatly and tidily. That’s okay too!

• Your pronouns being honoured, your therapist being understanding of the fact that these can sometimes change. If your pronouns change often (totally fine, by the way!), I will always do my best to use the correct ones at the time, but if uncertain, may opt for the more neutral ‘they/them’. I also recognise that you may not be ‘out’ yet and can complete documentation or correspond with caregivers/service providers using whatever pronouns you prefer.

• You can speak freely about your relationships, intimacy and sex and will not be met with judgment, or discomfort.

• You don’t feel like you have to perform gender- your therapist knows that gender and expression are different things, so you can present, dress and act how you like and still be supported in your identity.

• You can feel like discussions around sexuality, femininity, masculinity, sex, gender and dysphoria and their complexities are understood.

• Your therapist recognises that being queer often comes with a history of trauma: stigma, rejection, abuse, exclusion, ignorance and silencing, and is very willing to explore these things with you.