Counselling for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual and Transgendered People

Yes, You Can Feel Good About Your Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity

If you are struggling with issues of coming out or are confused about your sexual orientation or gender identity a counsellor or therapist may be able to help.

Can you relate to any of the following?

• feel lonely isolated or confused - e.g. You find yourself asking, “Am I homosexual, bisexual or straight?”
• wonder if you are abnormal or morally corrupt
• feel ashamed about your sexual orientation or gender identity
• worry that if anyone finds out about your sexual orientation you might lose your job, your family or your friends
• afraid that you will never have a satisfying intimate relationship
• tired of having superficial relationships and hiding who you really are
• have problems in your relationship due to your feelings about being lesbian, gay or bisexual
• wonder how to connect with other lesbians, gays, bisexuals or transgendered people who are like you
• feel stressed out, anxious or depressed

When you’re first coming out or wondering about you sexual orientation, it can be a source of confusion, anxiety and depression.

If you are someone who is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered and are just coming out, you may have a variety of feelings. It can be very lonely when you’re struggling to come to terms with your sexual orientation. You may feel confusion or shame about the possibility of being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. You may also be afraid of rejection by friends and family.

It’s hard to feel good about yourself if you can’t accept yourself for who you are. It’s challenging to feel proud of having an alternative sexual orientation when society labels you as deviant, abnormal or even – according to some religious groups – an abomination or less then human. If you’ve internalized some of these homophobic attitudes, you might feel shame about your identity and suffer from a poor self concept, low self esteem, and perhaps even depression. You may feel isolated and alone.

You may find that you just can’t seem to connect with people and end up in very superficial relationships and friendships. You may be confused or not know how to have an intimate relationship and feel that there’s something essential missing from your life.

You may be feeling like there’s no way out… but there always is.

Working with a caring professional counsellor who really understands you can help you determine if you are gay, lesbian or straight. A therapist can help you make peace with yourself.

When you’re feeling confusion and pain the best thing you can do for yourself is to reach out for help. Working with a counsellor who is also part of the LGBT community can help you work through your doubts and fears and help you gain new insights and a fresh perspective on having an alternative sexual orientation.

I’ve had 14 years experience as a counsellor and therapist and have been out as a lesbian for close to 30 years.

I understand the coming out process intimately both through my own experience of coming out and through my role as a counsellor and therapist with others who have struggled with coming out. My counselling and therapy training has included a variety of therapeutic approaches that can help you quickly overcome your confusion, doubt, shame and fear. Through counselling, we can help you feel good about yourself and your sexual orientation and identity, whatever they may be.

As we work together in counselling you will:

• feel the relief of finally being able to talk to someone about the secret you may have been keeping for so many years
• feel more connected to others
• feel more accepting and confident about yourself and your sexual orientation or identity
• develop the confidence to come out to family and friends with pride if that is what feels best for you
• have more intimate and meaningful relationships with family and friends
• develop a satisfying relationship or deepen an existing one
• have a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle
• discover how to meet and interact with members of the LGBT community

The thought of talking to a counsellor or therapist about your sexual orientation may seem frightening or overwhelming, but it can lead to a more balanced, fulfilling and exciting lifestyle.

As a counsellor and therapist I can help you. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Masters degree in counselling psychology. Over the past 14 years, I have provided counselling and therapy to hundreds of people in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Because I’ve struggled with my own coming out issues and been part of the LGBT community for so many years, I deeply understand your difficulties with coming out and I am committed to helping you overcome them.

I feel a deep sense of satisfaction when my clients move out of pain and confusion and into self- acceptance, contentment and satisfaction with their relationships, family, friends and community.

If you’re ready for counselling, or think you may be, please contact me to arrange a free 15 minute phone consultation. I can be reached at (604) 319-2345.

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Rosanne Johnson is a counsellor and therapist who provides counselling for singles in the lesbian, gay and transgendered community in Burnaby and Vancouver.