Life Supports provides non-judgmental and affirming counselling support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexuality- and gender-diverse people. While many people in the LGBTQIA+ community live happy, healthy lives, a disproportionate percentage experience poorer mental health outcomes than their peers. This isn’t specifically because of their sexuality or gender identity, but due to the unique experiences of prejudice, stigma, and discrimination faced on the basis of being LGBTQIA+.
We understand reaching out can be daunting, especially if this is your first time. In the midst of a heteronormative and cis-normative world, therapists at Life Supports are here to offer a safe, informed, and client-centred space for you to talk about whatever is going on.
There’s no one-size-fits all when it comes to counselling in general, and the same is true for LGBTQIA+ counselling. Life Supports therapists are here for you to explore and navigate all of life’s complexities, building relationship skills, facilitating difficult conversations and transitions, and improving your overall wellbeing – with the assurance the space being held for you is informed, affirmative, and welcoming.
People in the LGBTQIA+ community face a unique set of stressors that others simply don't. Discrimination, stigma, and the experience of living in a world that wasn't built with you in mind can take a real toll on mental health and wellbeing. These experiences, whether they come from institutions, workplaces, families, or wider society are valid, and they deserve to be taken seriously.
You might be feeling isolated, anxious, ashamed, or like nobody really understands what you're going through. We do. And we're here.
Life Supports counsellors and psychologists are trained and skilled at working with concerns and needs commonly experienced by people who identify as LGBTQIA+, their partners, and their families. An informed therapist means your therapeutic relationship revolves around understanding, growth, and affirmation, rather than starting from a place of uncertainty around acceptance, allyship, or inclusivity.
Maybe you’re still questioning, or maybe you’ve decided it’s time to tell others about your sexuality or gender identity. This can be an exciting, affirming, and freeing moment for someone! We also understand that it’s common to experience fear, alienation, or estrangement.
Coming out is often accompanied by stress and anxiety around facing not only societal reactions, but also the responses of those closest to you. Everyone moves through the coming out process at different paces, in different ways, and to different extents. It can feel overwhelming trying to decide who to tell, how to tell them, and how much to share.
Life Supports counsellors are here to support you regardless of where you are in your journey with practical, meaningful strategies aimed at reducing chronic stress and anxiety, and promoting wellbeing, resilience, and connection.
If your child has come out to you, or you think they might be LGBTQIA+, you may be wondering how you can best support them. Whether you're feeling relieved, surprised, confused, or worried about what the future holds for them, all of those responses are understandable.
Family and parenting counselling can help you process what you're experiencing, understand how to best support your child, and build practical strategies to navigate the future together with confidence.
Life Supports counsellors and psychologists can meet your needs wherever you are in your journey. Counselling with a therapist who specialises in LGBTQIA+ counselling can help you navigate the experience of living in a world you might feel like wasn’t built with you in mind. Our practitioners are affirmative, nonjudgmental, and informed regarding the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals seeking professional therapeutic support.
For appointments or enquiries, please call 1300 735 030 or leave us an email via our contact page.
Appointments currently available
Open 8am to 8pm weekdays and 9am to 5:30pm weekends
LGBTQIA+ counselling offers a space for individuals to feel supported in exploring their identity, sexual orientation, relationships, and general mental health. It can be an affirming environment to address unique challenges like coming out and dealing with discrimination.
LGBTQIA+ counselling can provide support to help with generalised issues such as depression or anxiety, along with challenges specific to the queer community. Counselling can help you navigate identity struggles, manage stigma or discrimination, come out to friends and family, or explore your sexual identity.
Our counsellors are trained and experienced in working with LGBTQIA+ identifying clients. If you prefer, we can pair you with a counsellor who identifies as LGBTQIA+ affirmative and aware, providing you with the assurance of relatable support and understanding of your unique challenges and experiences as a queer person. Your safety and comfort come first for us.
All our counselling sessions are strictly confidential, except in circumstances where a counsellor is required by law to disclose a client’s personal information. Aside from these rare instances, your counselling sessions are private, ensuring you will be listened to without fear of judgment or disclosure.