What is LGBT Affirmative Counselling? 
I worked for two years as a Counsellor for Brighton and Hove LGBT Switchboard Counselling Service, using an LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) affirmative approach and now continue to offer LGBT Affirmative Counselling as part of my private practice.
What is LGBT Affirmative Counselling? It is not about using special tools or techniques, but more about acknowledging the unique needs of LGBT clients. I believe that it is helpful for counsellor working with LGBT clients to have an awareness of the impact that homophobia, transphobia, bi-phobia (bi-erasure) and heterosexism can have on their lives.
The term LGBT itself encompasses an enormous diversity of people and experiences, so I believe it is important for a counsellor to have a good understanding of a range of LGBT lifestyles, so that clients do not feel that their life or experiences will be pathologised or judged.
Above all a LGBT affirmative approach is about accepting, understanding and affirming each client for who they are as an individual, within a safe space where they are free to express themselves without the fear of prejudice.
I offer individual counselling and also couples counselling to clients who identify as LGBT.
|
