“I can just be myself with a counsellor from TalkItOut”
You don’t have to hide who you are when you’re talking with a counsellor, social worker or psychologist listed on TalkItOut.
All of them abide by these 14 TalkItOut LGBTQ+ Affirmative Counselling Guidelines
The TalkItOut guidelines were created by the LGBTQ+ and mental health communities in Hong Kong to reflect the multicultural nature of our city, as well as to address the diverse needs and challenges faced by queer individuals in Hong Kong.
LGBTQ+ Affirmative Guidelines for
Counsellors, Social Workers and Psychologists Listed in TalkItOut
1
I am committed to supporting the well-being and inclusivity of LGBTQ+ individuals. I recognise the positive impact that an affirming society and affirming therapists can have on mental health.
本人致力支持 LGBTQ+ 人士的福祉與共融性，並認識到一個肯定性的社會與採用肯定式實踐手法的治療師對其心理健康能夠產生正面影響。
2
I possess a culturally sensitive understanding of one or more of the diverse LGBTQ+ communities (such as lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender individuals, asexual persons, etc.) acquired through personal lived experiences, the experiences of close loved ones or clients, or a combination of the above.
本人具備對一個或多個 LGBTQ+ 社群（例如女同性戀者、男同性戀者、雙性戀者、跨性別人士、無性戀者等）的文化敏感度，而這份理解源自我個人的生活經驗、摯親或服務使用者的經歷，或是以上多種來源的結合。
3
I understand the external and internal stressors that LGBTQ+ individuals face. I recognise that minority stress can lead to internalised stigma (Meyer, 2003), such as internalised homophobia and internalised transphobia. I am equipped to help clients identify these issues and build resilience.
本人明白 LGBTQ+ 人士所面對的外在及內在壓力因素，並認識到小眾壓力可能導致內化污名（Meyer, 2003），例如內化恐同及內化恐跨，而本人有能力協助服務使用者識別這些問題並建立其韌性。
4
I continuously reflect on and seek supervision to recognise my biases, judgments, and limitations related to gender and sexual orientation. I remain vigilant about my intentional and unintentional verbal and non-verbal behaviour to ensure it validates and respects LGBTQ+ clients.
本人持續自我反思並尋求專業督導，以識別自身對性別和性傾向的偏見、判斷及局限，同時密切留意自己有意或無意的語言及非語言行為，確保能夠肯定並尊重每位 LGBTQ+ 服務使用者。
5
I make a conscious effort to avoid assumptions about my clients' sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical status, sexual or other characteristics. I also adopt gender-affirmative language, including using clients' correct pronouns and chosen names.
本人會有意識地盡力避免對服務使用者的性傾向、性別認同、性別表達、醫療狀況、性徵或其他特徵作出先入為主的假設，同時採用肯定性的語言，如使用對方正確的代名詞及所選的姓名。
6
I aim to keep an open mind and avoid judgment regarding the diverse sexual practices, intimate relationships, and family structures of all individuals, recognizing that such practices are not limited to any specific group.
本人致力保持開放態度，避免對多元化的性行為、親密關係及家庭模式作出判斷，並認識到這些行為不局限於任何特定群體。
7
I acknowledge the significance of sexual health for LGBTQ+ clients while maintaining their privacy. I respect a client's decision to discuss or not discuss their sexual lives or any other aspect of their identity, and I avoid asking intrusive questions about their bodies.
本人認知到性健康對 LGBTQ+ 人士的重要性，同時會維護他們的私隱。本人尊重服務使用者選擇談論或不談論自己性事或其他身份面向的決定，並避免提出有關他們身體的侵入性問題。
8
I understand the importance of creating an inclusive practice environment for clients with diverse gender and sexual orientation. This includes using LGBTQ+ inclusive forms and providing at least one all-gender restroom, which can also serve as an accessible restroom.
我明白為多元性別及性傾向的服務使用者創造共融環境的重要性，這包括採用 LGBTQ+ 友善的表格，以及設置至少一個所有性別均適用的洗手間（亦可作為無障礙洗手間)。
9
I acknowledge that personal traits, including gender identity, gender expression, biological sex (genitalia, hormones and sex chromosomes), sexual orientation, or other sexual characteristics exist on a spectrum rather than within a binary framework. I also understand that these traits can be fluid.
我認知到個人特質——包括性別認同、性別表達、生理性別（生殖器、荷爾蒙及性染色體）、性傾向及其他性徵——是存在一個連續光譜上，而不是局限於二元框架，而且這些是可能流動的。
10
I am familiar with the identity development stages that LGBTQ+ individuals may experience, such as confusion, exploration, acceptance, pride and integration. I understand that individuals go through these stages at their own pace and that progress is not always linear. This knowledge enables me to support clients in their different phases.
本人熟悉 LGBTQ+ 人士可能經歷的身份發展階段，如迷惘、探索、接納、驕傲及整合，本人了解每個人都以自己的步伐經歷這些階段，且進程未必是線性的。這份知識讓我能夠根據服務使用者所處的階段提供支援。
I understand that decisions surrounding 'coming out' are on-going and depend on the situation. They are influenced by a multitude of personal, cultural, financial, and safety factors. These decisions do not adhere to a simplistic 'all-or-nothing' paradigm.
本人明白關於出櫃的決定是一個持續的過程，並視乎具體情況而定，受多種個人、文化、財政及安全因素影響，而不是遵循簡單的「有或沒有」模式。
11
12
I uphold the highest standards of respect for my clients' choices about sharing or hiding their gender identity, sexual orientation, and medical conditions such as HIV status. I maintain strict confidentiality. When confidentiality must be breached for safety (risk of harm to self, others) or by court order, I minimize sensitive information disclosure.
本人秉持最高的標準，尊重服務使用者對於是否分享或隱藏其性別認同、性傾向及如HIV狀況等醫療資訊的選擇，並嚴格保密。如因安全考量（如對自己或他人有傷害風險）或因法庭命令而必須違反保密原則時，本人會儘量減少洩露敏感資料。
13
I recognise that sexual and gender diversity exists within a broader social context. In my work with LGBTQ+ clients, I consider how their overlapping identities, such as ethnicity, language, education level, neurodiversity, HIV status, disability or other medical conditions, immigration status, religion, age, income level, nationality, and culture, intersect and create unique experiences and challenges.
本人認識到性傾向及性別多元性存在於更廣泛的社會脈絡中，在與 LGBTQ+ 人士工作時，本人會考慮他們的多重身份（例如族裔、語言、教育水平、神經多樣性、HIV狀況、殘疾或其他醫療狀況、移民身份、宗教、年齡、收入水平、國籍及文化）如何交織，從而形成獨特的經歷及挑戰。
14
I understand that conversion ‘therapy’, or Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression Change Efforts (SOGIECE), lacks empirical support and poses significant risks to individuals' health and well-being. I refuse to engage in such practices and will communicate the harm done to clients who may be contemplating or undergoing such interventions.
本人明白「拗直治療」，或任何試圖改變性傾向及性別認同與表達的嘗試（SOGIECE），均缺乏實證支持且對個人健康與福祉構成重大風險。本人堅決拒絕參與此類實踐，並會向可能考慮或正接受相關介入的服務使用者闡明其禍害。