Question 1

What is the difference between queer/LGBTQIA+ psychologists, counsellors and LGBTQIA+ friendly therapists?

Accepted Answer

These terms refer to different registration pathways and levels of training, but the most important distinction for LGBTQIA+ clients is often not the title — it's the depth of lived and clinical experience with your community. A psychologist holds a university degree in psychology and is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia. A registered mental health social worker like me holds a social work degree plus specialist psychotherapy training, and is registered with AASW — and can offer Medicare rebates via a GP Mental Health Care Plan. An LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist is a broader term that simply signals a commitment to inclusive practice, but doesn't specify registration or training level. When choosing a therapist, ask about their specific experience with LGBTQIA+ clients, not just their title.

Question 2

Why seek LGBTQIA+ psychologists or counsellors with lived experience?

Accepted Answer

Therapy works best when you don't have to spend your session educating your therapist about who you are. A therapist with lived experience in your community brings an understanding of minority stress, identity-based shame, the impact of discrimination, and the specific ways LGBTQIA+ people have often adapted to navigate environments that weren't safe — without needing it explained. This means sessions can go deeper, faster, and with less of the emotional labour of making yourself legible to someone who doesn't share your context.

Question 3

How LGBTQIA+ psychologists and counsellors create a safe place for you.

Accepted Answer

Safety in therapy comes from consistency, honesty, and genuine understanding — not just a rainbow flag on a website. In practice, it means you don't have to explain your pronouns, justify your relationships, or translate your experience into language a non-queer therapist can follow. It means I understand what internalised homophobia actually feels like from the inside. And it means the therapeutic relationship itself is grounded in over a decade of working specifically with LGBTQIA+ adults in Melbourne, including in community health and advocacy settings.

Question 4

How do you find a LGBTQIA+ counsellor in Melbourne you can trust?

Accepted Answer

Here are some tips to help you find the LGBT counsellor in Melbourne for you.

Reach out to your community and ask for recommendations. Someone close to you may know a LGBT counsellor in Melbourne who could be a good fit for you. Make sure to ask for details about their experience working with the therapist.

You can also browse therapist directories, such as Psychology Today, Good Therapy, and Australian Psychological Society. These directories have filters that can help you narrow down your search based on your preferences. You can also check out Vic Inclusive Practitioners, a list of therapists and practitioners working with diverse populations, including LGBTQIA+ counseling in Melbourne.

Be cautious of therapy profiles that include long specialty lists and look for specific LGBTQIA+ experience and training. Don't be afraid to ask questions and have a conversation with potential therapists before scheduling an appointment. Its ok to ask your potential new therapist if there are also LGBTQIA+.

Question 5

What are your specialties as a LGBTQIA+ Counsellor in Melbourne?

Accepted Answer

My core specialties are trauma, complex trauma, shame, and the negative core beliefs that form when we've been hurt, dismissed, or made to feel like we're too much or not enough. I work with gay, queer, bisexual, trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse adults. My therapeutic approach is grounded in Gestalt psychotherapy, with specialist training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and IFS (Internal Family Systems). I am a registered mental health social worker and offer Medicare rebates.

Question 6

Do you offer Medicare rebates?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As a registered mental health social worker, I offer Medicare rebates to clients with a valid Mental Health Care Plan from their GP. This gives you access to rebates for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. You don't need a specific diagnosis — a general mental health referral is sufficient. If you're unsure how to get a referral or what to say to your GP, I'm happy to talk you through it.

Question 7

Do you offer online therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I offer online sessions to LGBTQIA+ adults across Victoria. Online delivery works well for the approaches I use, and Medicare rebates apply to online sessions just as they do to in-person sessions.