LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy in Sheffield and online

Counselling is most effective when you feel safe to be yourself.

I’m non-binary and queer, and I care deeply about LGBTQIA+ justice and equity. I welcome clients from across the gender, sexuality and relationship spectrum. You don’t need to have the right words, a fixed label, or a clear story to come and talk to me.

What is LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy?

It means I don’t see your gender, sexuality or relationship structure as a problem to be fixed.

It doesn’t mean your identity has to be ‘a thing’, or the only thing we talk about. You choose what to bring, and you won’t be asked to explain or justify yourself.

Identity and difference

We live in a world where intersectional oppressions exist, on the grounds of race, gender, class, sexuality, religion and more.

These can have a serious impact on our mental health. I’m open to exploring any aspect of identity and difference, at any point in our work together.

My training and experience

I’ve done specialist training in working therapeutically with trans people, including non-binary people, as well as relational diversity and neuroaffirming practice. You can read more on my about me page.

What do people bring to LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy?

Gender

  • Exploring gender, including gender expression and gender fluidity
  • Coming out as trans or non-binary
  • Considering transition, and support through transition (for trans women, trans men and non-binary people)
  • Living with the impact of transphobia and discrimination

Sexuality and desire

  • Questioning your sexuality
  • Shame around sexuality, and queer desire
  • Challenging internalised biphobia, queerphobia and transphobia

Relationships

  • Non-monogamy, polyamory and open relationships
  • Opening up a relationship, or navigating multiple relationships
  • Conceiving as a queer couple

Family and life stages

  • Family estrangement, including ending contact with family who are abusive or don’t accept your gender or sexuality
  • Queer ageing

Masculinity and femininity

  • Exploring what masculinity and femininity mean to you, what it means to ‘be a man’ or ‘be a woman’ (or neither!)

You don’t need to fit neatly into any of these. If something else brings you here, you’re welcome to talk to me about it.

FAQs

Do I need to be out?

You don’t need to be out, to me or to anyone else, to access LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy. I won’t ask you to come out, or justify why you’re here (or why you’ve chosen me as a therapist).

If you want to talk about your gender or sexuality, that’s entirely up to you – you may just want to work with someone you know is understanding, and talk about something else entirely – and that’s absolutely fine.

I don’t know what to call myself, can I still come?

If you don’t know how you identify, or haven’t identified with a particular label – that’s not a problem. You don’t need to have your identity fixed or decided on to access LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy.

If you want help exploring your gender identity or sexuality, that’s something I’ve got experience working with and you’d be welcome to bring to counselling. But there’s no pressure to decide on a way to identify or a particular label, ever.

Do you work with trans and non-binary people?

I work with trans and non-binary clients on a range of issues, and I have specific training on working with trans, non-binary and gender diverse clients.

Some people come wanting support exploring their gender, and some people want support with transition itself. If you’re trans, you might simply want to work with someone who already understands some aspects of the trans experience, so you don’t have to explain the basics.

I don’t act as a gatekeeper to transition, and I’ll support you at whatever stage you’re at.

Is online therapy available?

Yes, I provide online therapy via the video platform, Whereby. So if you’d prefer to work online, or you’re not in the Sheffield area, you can still work with me.

Whereby is a secure video platform which works directly from your browser. No need to download additional software – you can just click the link and get going.

How much does it cost?

Sessions are £60 for 50 minutes, and I offer up to 3 spaces at £45 for people facing unemployment, low income or financial hardship. See my page on starting therapy for more information, or get in touch to book in with me.