The Australia Counselling Podcast

077: Coming Out: What Therapists Need to Know When Working with LGBTI Clients


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The coming out experience for a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex person (LGBTI) is unique for each person.

It's not uncommon for a LGBTI person to experience rejection, homophobia, harassment and abuse that can lead to serious mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol addiction and suicide.

Australia Counselling member and Melbourne psychotherapist Matt Glover is passionate about advocating for the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTI people and has dedicated his counselling and psychotherapy practice to this cause.

He has taken a fascinating journey as a former Baptist minister for 14 years where he was struck by the poor levels of mental health and the high levels of suicide of LGBTI people.

In this interview Matt covers:

  • Some of the unique challenges LGBTI people experience
  • Mistaken assumptions therapists often make about LGBTI people
  • The experience of coming out for a LGBTI person
  • What the coming out experience is like for friends and family
  • The developmental milestones for a LGBTI person coming out
  • The risks for LGBTI people when coming out
  • How we can best support a LGBTI person coming out
  • Access the show notes at http://australiacounselling.com.au/session77

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    The Australia Counselling PodcastBy Clinton Power