LGBTQ+ counselling services

Lawrence Anderson asexuality and aromanticism, bisexuality and pansexuality, coming out, gay men, lesbians, LGBTQ+ relationships, mental health support, trans+ and non-binary

A guide to the best counselling services for the LGBTQ+ community

Why is there counselling available specifically for LGBTQ+ people? LGBTQ+ people are facing an epidemic of mental health problems. They are at a much higher risk of experiencing mental health problems, compared to the general population. That’s not because of their gender identity and/or sexuality. It’s because of how society responds to their gender identity and/or sexuality and, inevitably, this has a huge impact on LGBTQ+ people’s health.

Stonewall’s 2018 health report shows that, in the last year, half of LGBTQ+ people (53%) said they’ve had depression, with two thirds of trans people (67%) having experienced it. Three in five LGBTQ+ people (61%) said they’ve had anxiety in the last year, with 4 in 5 non-binary people (79%) having experienced it.

This is really significant.

Thankfully there are lots of counselling services available for people in the LGBTQ+ community. These services can support with many different issues:

Relationship difficulties
Gender or sexuality identity
Abuse
Isolation
The ongoing process of coming out
And many many more

Below are just some of the UK-based counselling groups and services available. Some are free!

Switchboard logo

Switchboard

Founded in 1974, the Switchboard helpline is a phone, email and instant messaging service. It’s open from 10am – 11pm every day. They make three key pledges:

To talk things thorough and only finish a call when the service user tells them to
To keep everything confidential
All their volunteers self-define as LGBTQ+

Their website promises to talk through issues without embarrassment: from learning how to put on a condom, to finding out how to meet other people in your local area.

The LGBT Foundation

The LGBT Foundation is a national charity, based in Greater Manchester. They offer face-to-face short term counselling sessions. They also have a free telephone counselling service. This includes 8 sessions lasting 40 minutes each, with a qualified counsellor at a weekly time that suits you.

Pink Therapy

Disclosing personal problems can feel especially scary as LGBTQ+ people, with the worry that they won’t be accepted.

Pink Therapy give you the option to choose a therapist who has already disclosed their sexuality and/or gender identity. You can also search by location, and organise online communications with certain therapists if face-to-face meetings aren’t doable for you.

It’s sometimes the case that issues young LGBTQ+ people are having aren’t linked specifically to their sexuality and/or gender identity. It may be that it feels okay to look at the general counselling directory in your area, without needing it to be LGBTQ+ focussed. The directory provides a national database of qualified counsellors and psychotherapists. Here you can view their qualifications and backgrounds, and choose a session and counsellor who you feel confident with.

Alongside the services discussed above, websites such as Stonewall and Childline can offer young people free information. This includes services that are available in their local areas, where they can receive additional information, counselling or support as both an individual or within a safe group environment.

For other location-specific services, Brook has a fantastic directory of support for LGBTQ+ young people

PFLAG also has a detailed directory of more specific counselling support. Examples include: LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing domestic violence, those who are disabled, looking for an L, G, B or T specific support group, or more information about HIV.