Obsidian Counselling 
for  Mental health with
 ~Carolyn Rogers~
Obsidian Counselling 
for  Mental health with
 ~Carolyn Rogers~
  • Home
  • LGBTQ Counselling
  • LGBTQ Practice Consulting
  • Services Fees Counselling
  • FAQs Counselling
  • About Carolyn A Rogers
  • Resources
  • Terms Conditions Policies
  • The Blog Spot
  • Infographics and Photos
  • More
    • Home
    • LGBTQ Counselling
    • LGBTQ Practice Consulting
    • Services Fees Counselling
    • FAQs Counselling
    • About Carolyn A Rogers
    • Resources
    • Terms Conditions Policies
    • The Blog Spot
    • Infographics and Photos
  • Home
  • LGBTQ Counselling
  • LGBTQ Practice Consulting
  • Services Fees Counselling
  • FAQs Counselling
  • About Carolyn A Rogers
  • Resources
  • Terms Conditions Policies
  • The Blog Spot
  • Infographics and Photos

QUEER INFORMED mental health wellbeing support At obsidian

Gender Sexuality Diverse (LGBTQA+SB) Informed Counsellor vs. a Gay or Queer Friendly Counsellor?

 What's the difference between the two? 


A Queer or Gay friendly counsellor is someone who is usually an ally of the LGBTQA+ communities and provides accepting and affirming support.  

A Queer Informed Therapeutic Counselling approach has a unique understanding of the impacts living in a cisgender hetero normative society can have on the mental wellbeing of  LGBTQA+ individuals and their communities. 

  • Queer Informed understands the Minority Stress model and how this may present as other 'diagnosed' mental health concerns. 
  • Queer informed takes a person centred, holistic non-medicalising approach, with a focus on your presenting concerns. 
  • Queer informed acknowledges the challenges faced by the pluri-sexual (Bi, Pan +) communities from outside and within the LGBTQA+ Communities and recognises that no matter the relationship you are in, your sexual orientation does not change.
  • Queer informed recognises the unique 'family' structures we create for ourselves and that community supports our wellbeing
  • Queer informed acknowledges individuals who are Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Pansexual, Trans, Non-Binary, & further Diverse Sexualities & Genders don't have mental health concerns because we are of Diverse Sexual-Orientation & or Gender (LGBTQA+), but because of wider societies heteronormative & cis normative attitudes, that impact on our mental health well-being. 
  • Queer informed means you don't need to 'educate' your Counsellor about your concerns to do with your Diverse Sexual-orientation and or Gender, this is the Counsellors responsibility to stay up to date.


Obsidian Counselling is more than "gay friendly or queer friendly", Carolyn (she/her) has personal and living experience as a queer cis human, and utilises a Queer Informed lens with her clients.


#LetsChatatObsidian 

Email: carolyn@obsidian-counselling.au

Why choose Carolyn at Obsidian Counselling to support your mental wellbeing when you are part of the LGBTQA+SB communities or questioning or concealing your authentic gender and or sexual-orientation? 


  • I have lived experience of Inviting In later in life after many years of questioning then concealing authentic sexual-orientation Self (aka as a 'late life lesbian' 'late bloomer lesbian' apparently). 
  • I am an ally of the Trans, Non-Binary (Enby) and further Gender Diverse Communities, and affirm, validate, celebrate, and advocate for these communities. Whilst I cannot write referrals or diagnose, I follow the informed consent model with a person-centred, holistic non-medicalising approach and support you in the here and now. 
  • I have an ongoing passion to support the mental health and emotional well-being of my our LGBTQA+SB communities.  
  • I am an ally of the pluri-sexual (Bisexual, Pansexual, plus), asexual and gay male communities
  • My continuing professional development is keeping up to date with information, research and events that impact our communities. 


I won't ask you to explain to me what gender or sexuality is, but what I do ask you to share with me, is how you experience your gender and or sexual orientation, and anything that impacts on you personally. 

LGBTQA+ Counselling Frequently Asked Questions

There are more general FAQs available on the FAQs tab, click here. If you still cannot find the answer, please reach us at carolyn@obsidian-counselling.au

  •  Questioning, Discovering and or Exploring your sexual-orientation and or gender, including later in life. Supporting you to explore this aspect of Self
  • Concealing your authentic sexual-orientation and or gender
  • Disclosing or Inviting In ('Coming-Out') your sexual-orientation and or gender to Self and others, including later in life. Supporting you with strategies to 'Invite In' those closest to you.
  • Self-Identity...Who Am I? • Becoming your Authentic Self 
  • Internal Conflict - Internalized Negativity - Internalised Shame 
  • Minority Stress  
  • Major Life Changes - including possible Family Rejection and relationship closure
  • Integrating former self-identity with a new aspect of Self 
  • Living in a cishet normative world


  •  Please know that you're not alone in these thoughts as this is a common occurrence for those from the LGBTQA+ Communities, which is part of what makes Obsidian unique.  
  • There are several reasons for LGBTQA+ individuals not reaching our for support. Hopefully the following information puts your mind at ease and you reach-out for support 


  •  I hope that from your very first interaction with me via this website and socials, that I show you I am informed, inclusive, affirming, supportive and accepting. 
  • The intake paperwork allows for self-description of gender and sexual-orientation, even if you're are questioning, there's space to tell me that too, space for legal and known by names, pronouns and why you are attending counselling so I know what to focus on for you.
  • My personal and lived experience as part of our communities, whilst our stories and experiences will be different there may also be some commonalities 
  • If you're still unsure please reach out and talk to me


  •  What is discussed between a counsellor and their client/s is private and confidential, with a few exceptions, such as if I feel you are at harm to yourself and or others or under direction from a government authority. This will be explained further during the 'Informed Consent' stage before you begin counselling.
  • Unless you tell someone you are coming for counselling, no one except you and your counsellor will know.
  • Counsellors work outside the Medicare Model of mental health, therefore no mental health treatment plan is required, so there is no 'permanent health record' that you have attended counselling or what for.
  • Carolyn works under the Code of Ethics set out by PACFA and any other further government guidelines to do with confidentiality and privacy, these are listed under the FAQs tab.


  •  As above, your GP or anyone else doesn't need to know you are seeking counselling. However, it may be necessary at some point that your GP knows you are attending counselling, depending on the circumstances, for example to gain a prescription for gender affirming hormones and referrals to gender specialists. Further if I feel you need more advanced support, such as medications or a referral.
  • You don't need a mental health treatment plan to attend Obsidian, you can self-refer
  • We are a private fee paying service, working outside of the 'Medicare Model' which allows us to maintain your privacy & confidentiality*


  •  I am an integrative therapist who tailors her therapeutic style to meet your specific needs and goals, evidenced based therapies include: Person Centred Therapy, Solution Focussed Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Expressive Art Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness and an emerging modality Gender, Sexuality, Relational Diversity (GSRD). I also modify these therapies to be inclusive and tailored toward the LGBTQA+ Communities.


 Not at this point in time, there are many great organisations out there who can help:
Some great Resources for your Family, Friends and Allies

  • pflag+ Australia; Parents in Pride: http://pflagaustralia.org.au/
  • PFLAG+ Brisbane: https://www.pflagbrisbane.org.au/
  • Free Mum Hugs Australia: https://www.facebook.com/FreeMumHugsAus/
  • Minus 18: https://www.minus18.org.au/
  • QLife: https://qlife.org.au/
  • Rainbow Families Australia: https://www.rainbowfamilies.com.au/

 


YES. Obsidian Counselling is a private fee-for-service practice. See the fees tab, click here

All session must be paid in full prior to accessing our services, see TC&Ps tab for more information, click here. 


We are not in a position to charge below our schedule of fees, however there are options available from other LGBTQA+ service providers we can recommend who may be at a lower cost. 


Run, do not engage with this type of therapist. 'Gender Exploratory Therapy' is a new name for 'conversion therapy' or 'conversion practices' which are illegal in many states across Australia. 


Please note: 'exploring' your gender and/or sexuality in counselling with a suitably qualified, accepting and informed therapist is not the same as GET.  


Crisis Support Services

Obsidian in NOT a crisis support service. 

If you need to talk with someone for urgent support phone 

Lifeline - 13 11 14 

First Nations - 13YARN (13 92 76)

QLife  - 1800 184 527 3pm - midnight


If yours or someone else's life is in immediate danger call

000 (triple zero)


For a list of further supports services and information pages please click below 

Find out more
  • Home
  • LGBTQ Counselling
  • FAQs Counselling
  • Terms Conditions Policies
  • The Blog Spot
  • Infographics and Photos

Obsidian Counselling for Mental Health Well-Being

Obsidian Counselling acknowledges First Nations people as the Traditional Custodians of Country and recognises their continuing connection to land, sea, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We work on the traditional lands of the Gubbi Gubbi people QLD, AU

Copyright © 2025 Obsidian Counselling for Mental Health Well-Being - All Rights Reserved. 

All written words are human generated. 

Powered by

This website uses cookies.

How annoying are Cookies? Feel free to hit Decline, we won't be upset and you can still view our website. But by accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data. We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience.

DeclineAccept