What is this?

You might be thinking, Alex, why haven't you done a blog post on the very people you work with most? LGBTQ+ folk. The answer is, I focused on some other topics first. I do mainly work with LGBTQ+ people, but it's not just about someone's identity within those letters. It's about what that means to them, or it might be about everything else instead.

Someone might come to me, as a trans person, or as a lesbian, but that might not even be what they want to talk about in counselling. It might come into sessions, but ultimately, that person just wants to talk about what's bothering them. Whether that be work stress, home life, changes that they're struggling with, or even (plot twist) things they're really happy about this week.

Talking doesn’t have to be sitting in front of one another! Sometimes, we talk best when we look off into the distance.

You might just want to share something with someone who is qualified to listen. Who knows how to be with you in a way that makes you feel heard and cared for. Because unfortunately, we don't always get that from others. Or, you need to have space to figure out what you want to say, and how to say it.

I talk a lot about communication with my clients too, with many of them being neurodivergent, they feel they aren't sure how to be themselves with others. Because a lot of the time, they have received messages (verbal or non-verbal) that they can't, or shouldn't be themselves. So, when I hear that my client has managed to say how they feel to someone, or has told them their needs, I think this is amazing! It's great to see the progress in someone and how this helps them grow into the person they are.

This is why I do this job. Not to get paid (but yes, counsellors need to earn a living too) - but to see someone blossom. Seeing someone become more of their authentic self and less bogged down by what life throws at them.

And yes, I've still not really gone into detail about LGBTQ+ people in this blog yet - but there's plenty more time to do another post!