QUEER INFORMED mental health wellbeing support At obsidian

•  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.