Trans & LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy

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As a trans and  queer person myself, offering inclusive, affirming psychotherapy and counselling for LGBTQ+ people, including transgender, non-binary, gender diverse, bisexual, gay, lesbian, queer, polyamorous and asexual people is super important to me.

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As a queer and gender-non-conforming practitioner, I bring an awareness of how important it can be to feel understood and accepted without having to justify who you are. You shouldn't have to spend your time in therapy explaining why your identity is valid, educating your therapist about your relationships, or worrying about being met with insensitive, intrusive or judgemental questions.

I aim to offer a space where you can explore your experiences openly, without judgement, pressure or assumptions about your identity, relationships or any other part of yourself you choose to share. You don't need to explain yourself in a particular way, have everything figured out or arrive with a clear understanding of what you want to explore. Whether you're confident in who you are, questioning aspects of your identity, navigating change or simply looking for somewhere you can talk freely, you're welcome here.

 

A Space Where You Don't Have to Explain Yourself​

You may have become used to assessing whether a space is safe before allowing yourself to relax. You might find yourself anticipating other people's reactions, preparing explanations or deciding which parts of yourself to keep private. Even when these responses have helped you navigate difficult situations, the effort involved can become tiring. Therapy can offer an opportunity to experience a different kind of conversation. You can bring your questions, uncertainties, frustrations, relationships and experiences without needing to make them easier for someone else to understand.

My role isn't to tell you who you are, decide what your identity means or steer you towards a particular conclusion. It's to listen, remain curious about your experience and work with you to explore whatever feels important.​

 

Trans, Non-Binary and Gender-Diverse Experiences

For trans, non-binary and gender diverse people, navigating the world can involve experiences that other people may not always recognise or understand. You might be exploring your gender identity, thinking about social or medical transition, navigating changes in how you present yourself, or working out how you want others to understand and relate to you.

You may be dealing with misgendering, discrimination, intrusive questions or uncertainty about how others will respond. You might also be navigating family relationships, healthcare, work, education or decisions about when and with whom to share aspects of your identity. These experiences can be difficult to carry, particularly when you have limited opportunities to speak openly.

Therapy can provide a space to explore your feelings, consider your options and make sense of what matters to you. There is no expectation that you should transition in a particular way, identify with a particular label or make any specific decisions. Your experiences and wishes remain central to our work.

 

​Relationships, Intimacy and Different Ways of Being Together

Relationships can bring joy, connection, security and a sense of belonging, but they can also raise complicated questions! You might be navigating coming out, negotiating boundaries, dealing with family reactions, exploring intimacy or trying to understand recurring patterns in your relationships.

If you're bisexual, pansexual, asexual, polyamorous or practising consensual non-monogamy, you may have encountered assumptions about what your relationships should look like or what your identity means. Perhaps you've felt the need to explain or defend your choices, or found that other people make assumptions about your experiences based on labels alone.

You might be in a relationship, exploring relationships, choosing not to pursue them, or working out what connection means to you. You may be questioning what you want from intimacy, sex, commitment or independence. I aim to approach relationships with openness and curiosity, rather than assuming there is one right way to love, relate or build a life with other people. We can explore your experiences, the boundaries that matter to you and the kinds of relationships in which you feel respected and able to be yourself.​​​

 

Taking the First Step

You may want to ask questions about my approach, how I work with LGBTQ+ clients or what you can expect from therapy. You're welcome to do so before deciding whether to begin. I offer psychotherapy and counselling in Nottingham and West Bridgford, as well as online. If you're looking for an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist, queer-affirming counselling or trans-affirming psychotherapy, you're welcome to get in touch to find out more.You don't have to have everything worked out before taking the first step. We can begin with a conversation about what brings you to therapy and whether working together feels like the right fit.