LGBTQ+ Counselling in Edinburgh
See all counsellors in EdinburghWaitlist for new clients
Gavin McDonald
Counsellor, BACP
Verified
Verified
My own experiences of discrimination as a
Queer
person has shaped my trauma-informed practice.
Do you feel like you live in a world that doesn’t accept who you are? A dear friend of mine once summed up this feeling beautifully: “Being LGBTIQ+ is not my issue, it’s living in a world where others take issue with me being LGBTIQ+”. When we live in a society that does not see or respect our difference we internalize a lot of messages and beliefs about who we should, or should not, be. Trying to shape ourselves into an image that doesn’t fit isn’t just exhausting - it’s traumatizing! Hi, my name is Gavin and I identify as a gender non-conforming
Queer
person.
Stephanie Saunders
Counsellor, MA, MBACP
Verified
Verified
I am also a Sex Therapist and have experience working with the
LGBTQIA
+ community specialising in sexuality, gender identity, self confidence & same sex relationships.
I am an Edinburgh based Sex and relationship counsellor working full time in private practice with individuals & couples. My practice is based in central Edinburgh however I am currently working online. I specialise in explorative & action based proactive talk therapy aimed at helping you achieve the changes you would like to make in your life & to help you gain clarity & understanding to the life experiences you would like to work with.
Edinburgh EH3
& Online
Niamh Allen
Psychotherapist, MBACP
Verified
Verified
I offer a non-judgemental practice and have experience with the
LGBTQ
+ community.
My name is Niamh, and I am a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. CBT provides a structure which helps you to explore your emotions, thoughts, behaviours and move towards a more manageable tomorrow armed with insight and self-awareness. I offer a space for individuals to address the difficulties they are encountering and teach practical tools, techniques, and skills to help people overcome the issues they are experiencing. CBT is very effective when working with specific therapy goals like managing anxiety or moving out of a period of depression. It is recommended for many issues including PTSD, OCD, eating disorders and addictions.
Colette O'Connor
Psychotherapist, MSc, MBACP
Verified
Verified
From childhood we are given messages about the ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ ways to feel, think and behave – messages that can teach us that we must hide or supress aspects of our authentic selves in order to be acceptable to others. If you’re an
LGBTQ
+ person, your sexuality and gender might completely unrelated to what has brought you to counselling, but you still want to know that your therapist will affirm these parts of you. In my online therapy room, you are invited to be your whole uncensored self in the company of somebody who values you unconditionally and really listens. I am a
queer
therapist with trauma informed training.
Office is near:
Edinburgh EH8 & Online
Rachel Kaye
Counsellor, MBACP
Verified
Verified
I mainly work with
LGBTQ
+ clients and those who have always felt different in some way. You might be looking for help because you are experiencing anxiety, relationship challenges, difficulties making decisions or setting boundaries. It might seem like you have too many overwhelming feelings, or rarely any feelings at all. Maybe you’ve always felt a bit different from other people, almost as if everyone else got the manual on how to be a functioning adult and you didn’t. At times you might even begin to suspect that there’s something fundamentally wrong with you.
Office is near:
Edinburgh EH6 & Online
Dr Craig Dunn
Psychologist, HCPC - Couns. Psych.
Verified
Verified
I offer adult psychology sessions and specialise in male,
LGBTQIA
+ and children's mental health as well as providing clinical supervision and consultation sessions for parents/schools to increase understanding of behaviours.
Hello and thank you for looking into my profile. It can be challenging finding the right therapist amidst a sea of warm faces and shiny profiles full of experience. However, I firmly believe that like any relationship, the therapeutic one needs to feel like a 'good fit' too. This outlook forms the ethos of my therapy practice as a counselling psychologist where I work in collaboration with a client to bring change through the healing properties of a relationship. It is my belief that a supportive, accepting relationship allows for deeper self exploration and long-lasting change.
Iyetomi Adenekan
Psychotherapist, MBACP Accred
Verified
Verified
As well as working in my own practice, I volunteer with
LGBT
Health and Wellbeing.
Hello and welcome. You’re probably considering making some changes in your life, or you are looking for help to address some difficulties that may be hindering your personal growth. It may be that you are not yet sure what you are looking for. My aim is to support you with compassion and empathy, and help you explore and better understand whatever is going on for you. I will stay alongside you and help you to challenge yourself as you come to terms with past decisions and make some new ones.
Edinburgh EH6
& Online
IFS Therapy with Sanni
MA
I’m a therapist working with highly sensitive people, introverts and deep thinkers wanting to process current challenges or past trauma. I also support people wanting to prepare for a psychedelic experience or do integration work. I'm
LGBTQIA
+ affirming, sex worker positive and I'm knowledgeable about polyamory and non-monogamy. All of your identity and different aspects of your life are welcome in our sessions.
Edinburgh EH2
& Online
Dr Rhiann Jamieson
Psychologist, PsychD, HCPC - Clin. Psych.
Verified
Verified
I am
LGBTQIA
affirmative and everyone is welcome here.
Making the decision about whether to start personal therapy, and who to choose as your therapist is can be daunting. There is a lot of choice out there. My first aim will be for us to co-create a space where you feel comfortable, accepted and safe to talk. In my view, therapy works best when you have an understanding of why we are talking in certain ways, when you feel empowered to ask questions and be curious, and when we work together to find ways forward. I welcome feedback, and will check in with you regularly to review how you are experiencing working together. I recognise that your time and money are valuable.
Marika Maria Lisowska Gestalt Therapy
Counsellor, MUKCP
Verified
Verified
I also understand the pressure related to family, gender, ethnicity, race,
LGBTQ
+ difference, social class, and religion.
I get that it’s not easy to ask for support and admit to vulnerability. I view therapy as as a journey of discovery, healing and growth. Through 'experiential learning' and 'dialogue' we will work with your ‘embodied awareness’ of ‘how’ you are in relationships, ‘how’ you make choices and ‘how’ you co-create your world. We will look at where you feel 'stuck' and what seems 'difficult'; we will 'stay with' the feelings and complexity that may unfold. I believe change happens organically when we have enough 'support', fully acknowledge the situation we are in, and commit to work.If that resonates with you, please contact me.
Waitlist for new clients
Taylor Broughton
Psychotherapist, MA, MCOSCA
Verified
Verified
Just Human Therapy is a humanist, feminist,
LGBTQ
+ affirming online counselling service based in Edinburgh. Going to therapy can feel tough, so I aim to make it as approachable as possible. If you are going through a transition that feels difficult, would like support working through something specific, or simply know something doesn't feel right, therapy is a space you deserve to work through things. Often this isn't a quick fix, but an explorative process to come back to who you are and what you need. If you're struggling with low mood, lingering trauma affects, or obsessive worry, I can help you figure out what's going on.
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Priyanka Pookadan
Psychotherapist, MSc, HCPC-Art Therap.
Verified
Verified
I have an affirmative stance on working with
Lesbian
,
Gay
,
Bisexual
,
Transgender
,
Queer
, Intersex, Asexual (
LGBTQIA
+) and polyamorous clients and welcome clients of all races, genders, sexual orientations and relationship styles.
Sometimes life throws challenges in front of us which we may struggle to cope with. This could be a sudden and unexpected change like a loss or bereavement. It could be something that we have always struggled with that is making it challenging to move forward with life. Situations such as these can be stressful, and sometimes we can't shake off the anxiety and depression or we may even experience anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure in usually pleasurable activities). It might also be a past trauma or abuse that is causing the challenges in the present life, revealing itself as panic for example.
Siobhan Tyrrell
Psychotherapist, MBACP
Verified
Verified
I also have good experience with
LGBTQ
+ community and have worked with many neuro-diverse individuals.
How are you navigating life at the moment? You may have been suffering from emotional discomfort for a while, perhaps it's more recent or maybe the pandemic has had an effect on your mental health. You are not alone, 1 in 4 of us are affected by mental health issues at some point in our lives. Looking for support to understand what you are feeling can be life changing. How we make sense of ourselves, the world and our place in it can affect our relationships, friendships, careers, social lives perhaps even robbing us of our potential. Therapy, through insight and application can deliver acceptance, change, clarity and relief.
Josephine Blomqvist Almbring
Psychotherapist, MBACP
Verified
Verified
I offer a safe space for
LGBTQ
+ and consensual non-monogamous clients and I am kink aware.
Sometimes life is difficult and you want something different, a change for yourself. Therapy is a space where we can share our stories, our histories that influence the person we are, the suffering we may experience. Through this process, we can develop new insights into what has shaped us as people. I offer a safe, empathic and confidential space where you can explore, without judgement, your story and any personal difficulties you are experiencing. I will work with you, in your rhythm, to help you deepen your awareness of your experiences, thoughts, and embodied feelings.
Edinburgh EH16
& Online
Leonie Johnstone
Counsellor, MBACP
Verified
Verified
I work with a diverse range of clients, including
LGBTQ
+ & Neurodivergence.
£120 for 4 or £40 a session by Video & Telephone - Feeling overwhelmed, finding it difficult to ask for help & putting your needs after everyone else? Struggling to live up to your own or others expectations & feeling not good enough? Relationships, family problems, health issues, menopause or problems at work? Dealing with a loss or bereavement? Feeling low, tearful, depressed anxious or angry? Would you like someone to talk to, to support you to gain some perspective & start to work through your issues. Someone who will listen without judgment & accept you as you are. Helping you feel understood & supported. I can help you to:
Kathy Stewart
Psychotherapist, MSc, MUKCP
Verified
Verified
My areas of expertise include depression, anxiety & stress, low self-esteem, relationship and commitment issues, family dynamics, addictions,
LGBTQ
+, bereavement & loss, trauma & PTSD.
Sometimes our thoughts and emotions can feel too much for us to deal with. We may feel vulnerable, lost, torn or stuck, and find ourselves in need of help. Let me offer you an open, safe and judgment free space, that encourages you to explore whatever's on your mind. I am a qualified and highly experienced UKCP Accredited Counselling Psychotherapist working with adults, couples and groups. I believe that therapy should be an empowering process for each client, therefore taking a collaborative, client-focused approach which respects diversity and difference is essential for an effective therapeutic process.
David Sanmartino
Counsellor, MSc, GMBPsS
Verified
Verified
I am specialised in working with trauma, sexual additions and issues related with
LGBTQ
community.
I promote a deep transformation by encouraging a positive outlook and the adoption of new attitudes and reactions. I have the tools and professional expertise and experience to help you explore whatever is important to you, in a respectful, non-judgemental and open way. In my sessions, I use a positive, holistic and integrative approach to take care of my clients and I work diligently to help find them the answers they seek. Since 2015 I have worked with a wide diversity of clients to deal with the many different circumstances that are unique to their lives.
Chris Grant
Psychotherapist, MA, MBACP
Verified
Verified
I am a
trans
non binary integrative counsellor and psychotherapist, with many years of experience working in an NHS Clinical Psychology Department and private practice. In private practice, I welcome anyone who feels that psychotherapy may be of help, whether you are looking to have just a few sessions to think about a specific issue or situation, or would like to consider longer-term therapy. Depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, illness, bereavement, self-esteem, gender and sexuality,
queer
identity, life-changes, are just some of the reasons why you may want to try psychotherapy.
Waitlist for new clients
Simone Harding
Psychotherapist, MSc, MBACP
Verified
Verified
Are you looking for the kind of therapy that explores relational trauma and how this gets into our bodies and impacts our relationships with others, food, body and self? If you've found yourself querying your childhood, or wondering why you can't seem to feel ok, or why your relationships seem dissatisfying, or why you feel like you are not able to care for yourself or cope well, come on in. This is a
queer
friendly space and politically liberatory practice.
Waitlist for new clients
Louise McBride
Psychotherapist, PsychD, MBACP
Verified
Verified
Whatever your reasons for being here, you are very welcome. I provide a very safe and confidential space to people from ALL walks of life. Whatever difficulties you are experiencing I can help you to gain insight into why they exist and persist. Psychodynamic therapy helps you to bring that which is unconscious into conscious awareness which helps you to understand and resolve internal conflicts which cause suffering. These internal conflicts manifest as, for example, anxiety, depression and self-destructive behaviours, particularly in relationship with others. Psychodynamic therapy is effective in enabling life long change.
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.