LGBTQ+ Counselling in Central Retail District, Manchester
See all counsellors in Central Retail District, Manchester
James Magee
Counsellor, BACP
Verified
Verified
I also have experience with
LGBTQ
+ related issues such as shame, chemsex, substance misuse, stigma, gender identity & sexuality.
Do you feel overwhelmed, numb, sad or maybe you’re finding everything a bit much? I understand what it’s like when you can’t see a way forward and you don’t feel heard. I can help you explore those thoughts and feelings in an empathic and non-judgemental space. I'm an integrative counsellor and I draw on various modalities & techniques to help clients emotionally process their issues and help create long term coping strategies. I work both short term and long term dependant upon clients needs & goals.

Stephen Griffiths Swgcounselling
Counsellor, MBACP
Verified
Verified
I am a Counsellor based in Greater Manchester offering online sessions. Life can be challenging, and in places it can feel intolerable and overwhelming it can be difficult to know where to start unravelling this, how to make changes, what changes, if any, we need to make, and to try to make sense of why we feel the way that we do. This can be a very painful experience but however dark it may be today, doesn't mean tomorrow won't be lighter, counselling can offer an opportunity to be heard and to be understood. I work with clients from all backgrounds but have particular experience working with Addiction and with
LGBT
+ issues.

Rob Radcliffe
Counsellor, MSc, MBACP
Verified
Verified
I imagine it's overwhelming reading all these blurbs and trying to figure out which one stands out for you, so I'm not going to add to the noise. Qualified therapist and supervisor, 10 years' full time experience, bloke, getting on a bit these days, sense of humour, personable and down to earth, approachable and friendly, I will do my best to understand you and support you but I will also challenge you to get out of whatever is keeping you stuck when appropriate! I generally work with individuals but also offer
LGBTQIA
+ friendly couples/relationship counselling as this can be a difficult to access service.

Joseph Sheridan-Ruddy
Counsellor, MBACP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Are you an
LGBTQ
+ person and looking to gain some clarity in life? Are you struggling with your romantic relationships or trying to make sense of your past? You might find that you feel isolated, alone and are missing out on connections with loved ones. These difficult feelings can cloud the parts of your life which should bring you joy; this unhappiness can lead to further disconnect with those around us.

Shadowplay Counselling & Training
Psychotherapist, MA, MBACP
Verified
Verified
This is a
LGBTQ
+ welcoming safe practice.
Are things that have happened in your life preventing you living as you deserve to? Are you struggling with feelings of anxiety, depression, or feeling numb and disconnected from others? Do you find you're reaching for alcohol, drugs, food, damaging relationships to try to feel better? Or did you grow up with a parent struggling in this way? You don't need to have suffered an obvious trauma or adversity to be be feeling fearful, despairing or battling with a low sense of self worth. Modern life is hard and the pressures sometimes difficult to navigate.

Dan Owens-Cooper
Psychotherapist, MA, MBACP
Verified
Verified
So often clients' unhelpful experiences of therapy are attributed to their therapist being "silent", "difficult to connect with" or (at worst) "like a brick wall". The psychologically informed, dedicated and authentic experience I deliver requires me to be active, present and, primarily, something resembling an authentic human being whom I hope you will trust and feel at ease with. You will have the time and space to talk (without awkward silences!) and where desired, I can share with you knowledge/theory acquired from 10 years clinical experience, to help us collaboratively explore, enlighten and enhance your lived experience.

Dr Cheryl J Taylor
Psychotherapist, PhD, BACP
Verified
Verified
I have worked as mental health clinician and Psychotherapist for 12 years within Local Authority, NHS, private and charity sectors providing an array of therapy and treatments. I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults from vast and diverse backgrounds. If you’re feeling like you’re in need of extra support with your mental health, goals, explore and process trauma, engage in EMDR, DBT, CBT skill work or person centred counselling or psychotherapy approach then get in touch.

Richard Higgs Therapy
Psychotherapist, MBACP
Verified
Verified
My priority is to provide a safe, non-judgemental, and confidential space for you to just ‘be’ without any expectation, so you can explore any issues or struggles that are impacting your life. You may know what these struggles are, or you may not have the words or an understanding of what is going on for you. And that is okay. You may come to therapy with a set idea of what you want to explore, or you may come to therapy with just a hunch that something isn’t right. Therapy isn’t linear but I’ll be transparent in our work together and guide you in what can be difficult but ultimately enlightening work.

Dr Aspasia Ftenou
Psychologist, DCounsPsych, HCPC - Couns. Psych.
Verified
Verified
Perhaps you may feel anxious, worried or on edge? Maybe you struggle getting on with daily tasks or not enjoying things as much as you did? Do you have negative memories from the past that impact your life now? Or you may have negative thoughts about yourself which may affect your relationship with others? We may talk about your difficulties and set goals to help you in therapy. In our sessions you will experience acceptance and empathy so as to express your thoughts and feelings in a safe and warm space created by our therapeutic relationship.

Courtney Lang
Psychotherapist, BACP
Verified
Verified
Feeling overwhelmed by modern day life? Are you turning to self sabotaging behaviours as a way of coping? Life can be challenging, things do not always work out the way we may have planned with everyday issues and stresses easily becoming unmanageable. We all need support at some point in our lives to overcome problems, counselling can provide you with clarity and guidance as together we can explore whatever may be troubling you.

True Living Therapies
Verified
Verified
If you're tired of battling stress, overwhelm, anxiety or if you're frustrated because you can't seem to be as productive or confident as you want, or need, to be then hypnotherapy can work amazingly well for you. Your subconscious is in the driving seat and while it tries to help you feel safe and survive, it can also hinder you too. Often we aren't entirely aware, at a conscious level, why we're struggling or stuck in self-sabotaging behaviour patterns. Hypnotherapy is able to reach your subconscious and work with it to correct course, allowing you to achieve what you want.
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Therapy with Sasha
Counsellor, BACP
Verified
Verified
I like to describe the process of therapy to clients as the unpacking and re-packing of a messy suitcase. There may be things in there that have been actively avoided and possibly some things that have been forgotten about altogether. Through gentle and curious exploration, the suitcase is opened; things are taken out and safely examined. Coming face to face with that which has caused pain can be frightening but it needn't be done alone. The re-packing of the suitcase allows for the healing and acceptance of that which has been pushed away from the mind but is still stored in the body. Things will start to feel lighter and clearer.

Lisa Berry
Counsellor, MBACP
Verified
Verified
I have 7 years' experience in counselling adults and young people, in various settings that have included educational, third sector and private practice. I have worked with Employee Assistance Programmes for the last 4+ years, offering counselling and helpline support to employees of various organisations, including the Police and NHS. I previously worked for a charity supporting adult survivors of historical abuse, for which I underwent additional training. I have supported people experiencing various issues including depression, anxiety, self-harm, trauma, relationship issues, stress, bereavement, and work-related issues.
Not accepting new clients

Adam Laidler
Psychotherapist, MBACP
Verified
Verified
Expecting to have some enjoyment and a sense of fulfilment in life is not a pipe dream – it’s your purpose and your right. If you’re like 99% of others, then you can’t quit your job and travel the world because a quote on social media told you that’s how to be happy. Life is tough, and things often get thrown our way that knock us sideways. You might even be waking up more than you’d care to asking: “what is the point in all this?”. Or maybe you feel stuck in a cycle, struggling to make changes in your life? You're not alone, and you don't have to feel this way.
Waitlist for new clients

Calming Minds Soothing Souls Therapies MBACP
Psychotherapist, MNCS Accred
Verified
Verified
Counselling/ Psychotherapy: Effective counselling reduces confusion, allowing you to make effective decisions leading to positive changes in your attitude, behaviours & overall well-being. The ultimate aim of counselling is to enable you to make your own choices, reach your own decisions & go forward with a greater sense of clarity & self-management. Hypnotherapy & mindfulness can be introduced as a type of complementary therapy in which hypnosis is used to create a state of focused attention and increased suggestibility during which positive suggestions are made to rid you of emotional blockage. Mindfulness keeps us focused

Tove Vrbnakova
Counsellor, MBACP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Hi, I’m Tove, I’m a qualified therapist based in Calderdale and I’m currently taking on new clients for online work - both individual sessions and couples. It can be a tricky journey finding the right therapist, and as evidence shows - the working relationship between you and the counsellor is a crucial aspect of effective therapy. Please have a look at the further information about me to see whether I might be the kind of practitioner you would like to work with. If you got any questions before booking the first session you can contact me by email, or we can arrange free initial phone call (up to 15 min).

Sarah Hayes
Psychotherapist, BACP
Verified
Verified
At certain points in our lives, we might find ourselves in what may seem like an unbreakable cycle of self-destructive behaviours, overwhelming emotions and a sense of disconnect to those around us, or perhaps even within ourselves. If you’re reading this, it is likely that you currently find yourself somewhere within that cycle or you may have feelings of anxiety, depression or low self-worth. You may be experiencing relationship difficulties, intrusive and obsessive thoughts, self-harm, child-hood trauma or grief. Whatever the reason may be, I just want to firstly remind you that you are not alone.

Laura Thomson- The Meraki Way
Psychotherapist, HCPC-Art Therap.
Verified
Verified
Life happens! It throws challenges in our path, knocking us off course or pulls us backwards. Do you feel stressed, anxious, stuck, low or lost? Are you seeking freedom from unwanted feelings, imposed conditioning, limiting beliefs or a past that seems to hold you back? Perhaps you struggle to get out of your own way, lack drive, motivation, clarity, confidence, self belief and long to show yourself the compassion and kindness you give to others? Do you feel detached from who you really are and want to connect with others as your best self? Do you want to find peace, contentment, joy and start living your life to the full?

Sarah Lee
Psychotherapist, MUKCP
Verified
Verified
This Easter you have resigned yourself to eating too many mini eggs and bingeing Luther on Netflix whilst ignoring your existential dread. You pour another glass of wine and wonder where it went wrong. Wasn’t being an adult supposed to feel freeing? Instead you feel empty, confused and embarrassingly, rather lonely. You try and put yourself out there, but a string of pointless dates with emotionally unavailable men are not doing it for you. Your flatmates are all loved up and it feels like your twenties are slipping through your fingers. But you know better than to expect emotional support from your family; that's not what they do.

Jacquelyn Bownes
Psychotherapist, MSc, MBACP
Verified
Verified
My name is Jacquelyn & I'm an experienced, BACP Accredited, Counsellor & Psychotherapist & an award winning Coach. I provide a non judgemental space for you to talk through your concerns and work alongside you in finding ways to move forward and improve your sense of wellbeing. People come to counselling with me for many reasons & our work together can help you to; *Learn more about yourself *Make sense of your thoughts and feelings *Release some of the pressure you may be experiencing *Develop as a person *Learn how to take control of your life *Respond to challenges and change healthily *Build self confidence & self esteem
See more therapy options for ,
LGBTQ+ Counsellors
Do LGBTQ-affirmative therapists receive special training?
Yes. Many therapists who practice LGBTQ-affirmative therapy have completed specialised training, either during their degree programme or as continuing education, to learn the core principles of affirmative therapy and how to best support their LGBTQ clients; some have received certifications in LGBTQ-affirmative therapy. Prospective clients should inquire as to a clinician’s background and training to ensure a good fit.
Why might I want to see an LGBTQ-affirming or LGBTQ-friendly therapist?
Queer and gender-non-conforming individuals frequently experience bias and marginalisation in day-to-day life. Working with a therapist who understands these unique challenges, as well as accepts and affirms their identity, can help LGBTQ clients feel safe and supported during therapy—allowing them to better navigate their relationships, mental health, and anything else that they wish to explore during therapy. It is important to note that many therapists can be effective in their work with LGBTQ+ individuals, even in the absence of specific training or background knowledge. The most important component in therapy is the alliance between therapist and client, and this alliance can exist between individuals with very different backgrounds.
How can I find an LGBTQ-friendly therapist?
You may wish to inquire about a therapist’s expertise with your specific challenges or concerns—depression, for example, or relationship strife—as well as their past experiences treating LGBTQ+ clients. Prospective clients may also ask whether a therapist has obtained additional training and/or certification in LGBTQ-affirmative techniques.
How can I inquire about a therapist’s experience with LGBTQ issues?
Prospective clients should feel empowered to directly ask therapists whether they have received training or been certified in LGBTQ-affirming therapy; competent therapists will be happy to explain their educational background and preferred approach(es) to help a client find the best match for them. Clients may also wish to ask how a therapist has treated clients with their particular challenges in the past and what they expect treatment to look like.
Are all the therapists listed in the LGBTQ directory themselves members of the LGBTQ community?
While therapists may choose to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity in their profiles, the LGBTQ directory features not only those who have shared this information but also those who assert specialised training or experience in providing support to queer individuals, couples or families.