The idea to open Obsidian Counselling for Mental Health Well-Being came about from owner and founder Carolyn's (she/her) passion to support the mental health and emotional well-being of our LGBTQ+ communities here on the Sunshine Coast. It became even more important to open Obsidian when she heard that LGBTQ+ individuals here on the coast were having to travel to Brisbane to access support from inclusive mental health services, 

at great expense both financially and mentally.

Carolyn’s aim with Obsidian is to breakdown the barriers many from the LGBTQ+ Communities face when searching for inclusive, accepting, affirming and supportive mental health care. 

Carolyn recognises that individuals who are Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Pansexual, Trans, Non-Binary, & further Diverse Sexuality & Gender don't have mental health concerns because they are of Diverse Sexual-Orientation & Gender (LGBTQ+), but because of wider societies heteronormative & cisnormative attitudes, that impact on their mental health well-being. 

Obsidian is more than "gay friendly", Carolyn has personal and lived experience of becoming her Authentic Self as a cis queer person. She is an ally of the Trans and Gender Diverse Communities, and affirms, validates, celebrates, and when needed advocates with them. She is a Trans and Gender Diverse informed Counsellor and follows the informed consent model, with a person-centred approach that client is expert. 

You won't need to 'educate' Carolyn about your concerns to do with Sexual-orientation or Gender, 

she sees that as her role to stay educated and up to date on all things LGBTQ+ related. What you will need to share, is how these things impact on you personally. 

The counselling studio has been designed with you in mind to be warm and welcoming, and a safe space for you to be your Authentic Self. 

Counselling is also available online via teletherapy to the wider Australian LGBTQ+ population 

• Questioning, Discovering and or Exploring your sexual-orientation or gender, including later in life. Supporting you to explore this aspect of Self
• Concealing your authentic sexual-orientation and or gender
• Disclosing ('Coming-Out') your sexual-orientation 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 

Carolyn recognises that not all your mental health and emotional well-being concerns are related to your sexual-orientation and or gender and focusses on your presenting concerns. She sees you as the expert in your life, it is not her role to question who you are but to support you where you are at in discovering your Authentic Self. 

Carolyn's area of research and ongoing training is the unique mental health concerns and their underlying causes that impact our LGBTQ+ communities. Lived experience and her own personal journey through discovering her true sexual-orientation. 

Please know that you're not alone in these thoughts as this is a common occurrence for those from the LGBTQ+ Communities, which is part of what makes Obsidian unique.  

There are several reasons for LGBTQ+ individuals not reaching our for support. Hopefully the following information puts your mind at ease and you reach-out for support

I've experienced discrimination, prejudicial attitudes, and homophobic and transphobic comments from mental health services before, how do I know Carolyn is different?

• We hope that from your very first interaction with us via this website and our socials, that we show we are inclusive, affirming, supportive and accepting. 
• Our intake paperwork allows for self-description of gender and sexual-orientation, even if you're are questioning, there's space to tell us that too, space for legal and actual names, pronouns and why you are attending counselling so we know what to focus on for you.
• The studio is cosy and hopefully you will safe there, both physically and emotionally, and to be your Authentic Self
• Carolyn's personal and lived experience as part of our communities
• If you're still unsure please reach out and talk to us

I'm NOT "out" to anyone, will anyone else know what we've talked about in session or that I've been to counselling? 

• What is discussed between a counsellor and their client/s is private and confidential, with a few exceptions, such as if Carolyn feels 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.

I don't want my GP to know why I want to speak with a counsellor, do I need to tell them or get a mental health treatment plan from my doctor to make an appointment?

• 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 Carolyn feels 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*

What evidenced based therapies are used? 

• Carolyn is 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 others. We also modify these therapies to be inclusive and tailored toward the LGBTQ+ Communities.

At Obsidian we also work with the 

• Partners, children, parents, siblings and further family members of LGBTQ+ individuals
• Former or current heterosexual and or cisgender partners of LGBTQ+ individuals
• Friends and Allies of the LGBTQ+ Communities

Why may our family or partners need support?

• Whilst we've had the time to get to know and love our new aspect of Self, our family, friends, partners, children have not had the same time to process what is going on. For some there may be grief and loss over who they thought you were, and we need to allow our family and friends time to process this as well. 
• Having our family, friends and partners receive counselling and support is a positive thing, although it may not seem like it at the time, it means they want to learn, grow and understand.