Gender Identity & Sexuality

Navigating gender or sexual identity, especially in unsupportive environments can take a toll.

You might experience: 

• Gender-related distress or dysphoria
• Anxiety, depression, or low self-worth
• Social withdrawal or disconnection
• Thoughts of self-harm or tsuicide
• Substance use as a coping strategy
• Stress related to coming out, transitioning, or family rejection
• Relationship difficulties
• Hypervigilance or shutdown responses from past harm. 

These responses are not “disorders” — they are often understandable responses to living in a world that hasn’t always made space for you. 

Being LGBTQIA+ is not a mental health issue. But the experience of living in a world that often marginalises or misunderstands you can impact your wellbeing.

You might be navigating:

• Minority stress  – the ongoing weight of navigating a marginalised identity
• Bullying, harassment, or exclusion in school, work, or healthcare
• Rejection from family, friends, or faith communities
  
• Internalised stigma – like homophobia, biphobia, or transphobia
  
• Barriers to gender-affirming care
  
• Lack of visibility or cultural representation

Affirmation, safety, and connection aren’t luxuries, they’re protective. They can change everything.

We work with people across the full spectrum of gender and sexual identities, including but not limited to:

• Trans and non-binary people
  
• Gender-diverse or gender-expansive individuals
  
• People exploring gender or navigating transition
  
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, and queer individuals
  
• Intersex people
  
• Those who are questioning or seeking clarity around identity

There is no single way to be yourself. Your identity is valid, and your story is yours to tell.

If you’re navigating questions or challenges related to gender or sexuality, you don’t have to have it all figured out. Some supports that may help include:

• Connecting with LGBTQIA+ affirming communities
  
• Using affirming language and pronouns—at your own pace
  
• Accessing gender-affirming healthcare and supports
  
• Limiting exposure to invalidating or unsafe environments
  
• Expressing yourself through journaling, creativity, or community
  
• Practising self-compassion, especially in moments of grief or uncertainty

You’re allowed to move slowly. You’re allowed to take up space.

Our Psychologists offer inclusive, trauma-informed support for people of all genders and sexualities. We meet you where you are, without assumption or agenda, just real, respectful presence.

Therapy may support you to:

• Explore your gender or sexual identity in a safe space
  
• Manage gender dysphoria or the effects of minority stress
  
• Navigate coming out or transition
  
• Heal from internalised stigma or past harm
  
• Strengthen relationships, communication, and boundaries
  
• Build resilience, self-acceptance, and pride

Our team includes LGBTQIA+ affirming clinicians with both lived and professional experience.