Many counsellors claim to be ‘LGBT friendly’. But that doesn’t always mean they really understand the difficulties queer people have to deal with. At TalkItOut we believe that counsellors should not just be ‘friendly’ to queer people, but understand our challenges and respect our identities and our relationships, so that we talk to them and build a trusting relationship.

All counsellors listed on TalkItOut about by these affirmative counselling guidelines.

They have a solid understanding of some of the LGBTQ+ communities (such as lesbians, gay men, transgender individuals, bisexuals, and asexual people) gained through personal experiences or those of their loved ones or clients.

  1. They are aware of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, including both external pressures and internal struggles, and can help clients recognise and cope with the effects of these challenges.

  2. They regularly reflect on their own biases regarding gender and sexuality, ensuring that their behaviour is supportive and validating for LGBTQ+ clients.

  3. They avoid making assumptions about clients' sexual orientation or gender identity and use language that respects clients' preferred pronouns and names.

  4. They are open-minded and accepting of the diverse sexual practices, relationships, and family structures within the LGBTQ+ community.

  5. They understand the importance of sexual health for LGBTQ+ clients and respect their privacy, only discussing personal matters when invited.

  6. Their practice is inclusive, featuring gender-neutral forms and at least one all-gender restroom to accommodate clients of all identities.

  7. They recognise that gender and sexuality are not fixed categories but exist on a spectrum, informed by social contexts.

  8. They are familiar with developmental stages relevant to LGBTQ+ individuals, allowing them to support clients through various phases of self-discovery and acceptance.

  9. They respect clients' choices about coming out, understanding that these decisions are complex and influenced by many factors, and they maintain strict confidentiality regarding clients' identities and personal information.

  10. They consider the broader social context of sexual and gender diversity, taking into account how various identities (such as ethnicity, language, education level, neurodiversity, HIV status, immigration status, religion, etc.) intersect.

  11. They understand that conversion therapy is harmful and lacks scientific support, and they inform clients about the risks associated with such practices.

  12. They actively support LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity, recognising the importance of social justice in mental health care.