Lesbian and Gay Counselling in London
Sexuality. It’s a word we use often but what does it really mean? Whether straight, gay, lesbian or bisexual, sexuality is about the quality of being sexual.
Sexuality is the drive within us that makes us sexually and emotionally attracted to others.
Homosexuality was legalised in the UK in 1967 and the Civil Partnership Act providing legal recognition of same-sex relationships came into force in 2005. On 13 March 2014, legislation allowing same-sex marriages came into effect and the first same-sex marriages in the UK took place on 29 March 2014.
Despite significant shifts in social attitudes towards homosexuality, a Google search of the phrase ‘gay issues in the UK’ will reveal much debate about many issues including homosexuality and religion, gay adoption rights, bullying in schools, homophobic abuse, gay issues in the workplace and gay health insurance issues.
For gay people, some aspects of life are less straight-forward than they might be for others. While circumstances have improved for gay people in Europe, North America and other parts of the world, being gay or lesbian can bring specific challenges.
Come out or stay in?
Sexuality is an important force within all of us, as is the need to be accepted and valued. Many people feel that homosexuality makes being accepted by friends, family and colleagues more difficult. Gay people often fear being rejected for their sexuality and coming out is one of the first challenges a gay person might face.
Coming out is the process of making your sexuality known to others. Coming out can mean revealing your sexuality to a handful of carefully-chosen loved ones or it can mean coming out to the whole world! There is no right or wrong way to come out. This is a personal experience, a personal choice and is different for everyone.
Some people find coming out very difficult while some gay men and women have no problem revealing their sexuality. Some people choose not to reveal their sexual preferences to others. For those who choose to come out, coming out can be a significant event in a person’s life and everyone experiences this differently.
Our gay counselling services in London can help with most personal issues
Many gay and lesbian people in the UK live very dynamic lives. An entire culture (of music, literature, history, art, theatre) has evolved around the gay movement. This culture contributes to the lives of many people, both gay and straight. London is often considered as one of the ‘gay capitals’ of the world.
There are, however, common concerns that gay men and women sometimes bring to counselling. Whether dealing with coming out, concerns about dating or relationships, sexual issues, family problems, depression, self-worth and self-confidence issues or issues around health and HIV, therapy can be useful in making sense of sex and sexuality matters.
In therapy, some gay people have described feelings of shame or loneliness and some have felt so confused by their sexual feelings that they have questioned the value of life.
Some gay men and women feel disillusioned by internet social networking sites while others have struggled with integrating their sexual identity into the families, careers and friendships in which they find themselves.
We provide both gay counselling and gay couples counselling In London
Over the years, our personal counselling services have helped many gay men and women resolve personal life issues while many gay couples have turned to our couples counselling services or sex therapy to address issues within their relationships.
Our locations in central London include Oxford Circus, Soho and Covent Garden, and we also offer online therapy.
In counselling, gay clients sometimes prefer a gay therapist feeling that a gay therapist is more likely to understand their needs. Other gay people do not make this distinction. This is a personal choice.
For anyone new to therapy, we have put together a list of commonly-asked questions about therapy that might be useful.
We employ only gay and gay-friendly therapists. Our counsellors and psychotherapists have a lot of experience helping gay men and women in London with the personal issues they face. Please get in touch if we can help.
Being gay in London brings specific challenges. Over the years, our counselling services have helped many gay men and women face a number of personal issues.
Oxford Circus, Covent Garden & Soho
Finding the right therapist is important. Our therapists have much experience working with gay men and women. We employ only gay and gay-friendly therapists.
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One Therapy London
Your first appointment is a time to discuss your hopes
in therapy and to consider your best options for ongoing counselling or psychotherapy appointments.
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