Compassionate, non-judgmental counselling for lesbians, gays and bisexuals

Are you dealing with:

• Depression related to lack of acceptance and nurturance
  
• Rejection by or estrangement from family: rootlessness
  
• Overuse of drugs and alcohol to deal with difficult feelings
  
• A split between sex and affection
  
• Ghetto living: isolation and marginalization
  
• Homophobia directed at the self
  
• Self-destructive behaviour
  
• Being in a heterosexual relationship and being secretly gay
  
• Lack of bonding with same-sex straight peers
  
• Homophobic work environment
  
• Religious abuse
  
• Lack of role models
  
• Emotions pushed out of awareness because they’re too painful
  
• Discrimination in housing, workplace, lack of career advancement
  
• Being assaulted
  
• Fear and anxiety as the result of trauma
  
• HIV issues: denial, risky sex, testing, coping, being a caregiver to someone with AIDS

You are likely here because you want a counsellor who understands your experience and lifestyle. You don't want to have to 'educate' someone about lesbian and gay issues. It is hard enough contemplating going for counselling and opening up to someone without having to deal with homophobia or ignorance.

Gays and lesbians, through sacrifice and hard work, have won a degree of acceptance.  Sometimes, though, that acceptance doesn’t go very deep. Gays and lesbians have to make a layer of decisions that straight people don’t have to make: these decisions involve guessing how much acceptance there will be in any given situation, and how safe it is to be oneself.  A double life can easily develop, with all the complications that implies.

Sexual orientation , the gender to which we are attracted in a romantic and/or sexual way, is not generally thought to be something over which we have control.  Gays and lesbians often say that they felt “different” even before they realized their sexual orientation.  This sense of differentness may be subtle or it may be profound.   If you are homosexual, when you were young, your peers may have sensed this difference and singled you out for criticism, teasing or bullying.  When everything around you – films, television, relationships – is overwhelmingly heterosexual, it is easy to feel alienated.

Homophobia, the fear of homosexuality in oneself or others can be a powerful force.   It is pervasive in our society, from “that’s so gay” to outright hate and violence.  It can be directed outwards or inwards: self-criticism or self-hatred.  Counsellors often notice that gays and lesbians have difficulties with self-esteem or confidence; a little reflection makes it easy to see why this might be so in our society.

“Coming out” – admitting one’s sexuality to significant others and to oneself, and becoming comfortable with it over time, can be a long, hazardous journey, especially if the family of origin or peer group is judgmental and critical or using religious oppression.

Getting the kind of  support, understanding and expertise you need

Turning Point Therapy has counsellors with personal and professional experience within the LGB community.  We welcome clients from diverse backgrounds and enjoy and respect individuals who struggle to live the life they want. We are committed to supporting you in living your life and honoring who you are.

We have experience in relationship counselling and individual psychotherapy. You can find out more about Delyse's or Chris's experience under counsellors information. We are experienced with same sex couples and polyamory.

A warm, compassionate, understanding counselling relationship can go a long way to repairing the damage caused by growing up gay in a straight world.