LGBTQA+ Mental Health Well-Being Counselling - FAQs

- Gay Friendly - Queer Friendly - LGBTQA+ Friendly - Trans Friendly -

What's the difference between Gay Friendly - Queer Friendly - LGBTQA+ Friendly - Trans Friendly Therapy and Counselling or speaking with a Queer Informed Counsellor?

Gay, Queer, LGBTQA+, Trans and Bi friendly therapists and counsellors are usually allies or part of the LGBTQA+ communities and provide accepting and affirming support for their clients. Their niche area of practice may not be LGBTQA+ specific.

A Queer Informed Therapeutic Counselling approach has a unique understanding of the impacts living in a cisgender heterosexual 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 and understands 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, such as chosen family, and that connection to 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 "friendly" to our Queer communities, Carolyn (she/her) has personal and living experience as a queer cis human, and utilises a Queer Informed lens with her clients.

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Why choose Carolyn at Obsidian Counselling to support your mental well-being?

when you are part of the LGBTQA+SB communities or questioning or concealing your authentic gender and or sexual-orientation?

Lived and living experience of Inviting In my authentic sexual-orientation Self
An active 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. Provide suggestions to trusted Allied Mental Health Professionals who can diagnose if required.
An ongoing passion to support the mental health and emotional well-being of my our LGBTQA+ communities.
An active ally of the pluri-sexual (Bisexual, Pansexual, plus), asexual and gay male communities
Understanding of the unique shared but individual experiences of questioning, concealing and the Inviting In Narrative (aka "Coming Out" Story) our authentic LGBTQA+ Self
Continuing professional development is keeping up to date with information, research and local and world events that impact our communities.

I won't ask you to explain to me what gender or sexuality diversity 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.

Ready to book?

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

What are the unique concerns that impact on the mental well-being of the LGBTQA+ Communities

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 - a decision that gets made with every new interaction
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? and becoming your Authentic LGBTQA+ Self
Internal Conflict - Internalised Negativity - Internalised Shame
Queer shame, gay shame, trans shame
Minority Stress - internal or external stressors + resiliency factors
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
historical and contemporary events related to the LGBTQA+ communities

I'm scared about reaching out for support for my mental health?

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

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

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 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.

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 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*

What evidenced based therapies are used?

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, Compassion Focussed 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.

Do you work with partners, children and family of LGBTQA+ individuals?

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/

Is there a Fee?

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.

I need support but cannot afford it, can I ask for a discount?

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.

A therapist is advertising they use a 'gender exploratory therapy' approach

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.

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

All written words are human generated.

Obsidian Counselling for Mental Health Well-Being with Carolyn A. Rogers

LGBTQA+ Mental Health Well-Being Counselling - FAQs

- Gay Friendly - Queer Friendly - LGBTQA+ Friendly - Trans Friendly -

Why choose Carolyn at Obsidian Counselling to support your mental well-being?

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Obsidian Counselling for Mental Health Well-Being with Carolyn A. Rogers

LGBTQA+ Mental Health Well-Being Counselling - FAQs

- Gay Friendly - Queer Friendly - LGBTQA+ Friendly - Trans Friendly -

Why choose Carolyn at Obsidian Counselling to support your mental well-being?

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Crisis Support Services

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