Counselling

We offer free, confidential, and affirmative counselling for individuals experiencing issues related to sexual health, sexuality, gender, or who have experienced domestic violence/abuse.

Counselling is a talking therapy that gives you a safe space to speak about anything affecting your wellbeing.

At Birmingham LGBT, we support from a position of LGBT+ affirmation: we believe your identity is valid as it is. Our service is here to provide the dedicated, compassionate support you deserve to heal and thrive. Our qualified, professional counsellors provide a safe space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours to help you find more balance and confidence in your life, experiences, and relationships.

We provide services specifically for LGBT+ people (including men, women, and non-binary individuals) and are currently accepting new referrals for all our services: Trans Inclusion Counselling, Domestic Violence Counselling, and LGBT+ Counselling.

What is Counselling at Birmingham LGBT Like?

Our service is specifically tailored for the local LGBT+ community.

• Affirmative Approach: We provide affirmative counselling, meaning we help you explore who you are from your perspective, without judgement or an agenda of our own. Only you have the right to decide who you are.
• Qualified Professionals: All our counsellors are qualified and registered with a professional body, such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). They adhere to professional codes of ethics, receive regular supervision, and complete regular training with a focus on LGBT+ cultural competency.

Our Free Counselling Routes
We offer three specialist routes to ensure you get the most appropriate support;

LGBT+ Counselling: this is a more generic service for LGBT+ people living in Birmingham who are experiencing emotional difficulties that may or may not relate to being part of the LGBT+ community.

Trans Inclusion Counselling: is a service specifically for trans, non-binary and gender questioning people living in Birmingham and the West Midlands. This can be looking at issues relating to being trans but is also suitable for general counselling needs for this demographic.

Domestic Violence Counselling: a service for LGBT+ people living in Birmingham who have experienced domestic violence or abuse from a partner or family member, including honour-based violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation. This support can focus on the impact of the abuse, or on any other emotional difficulties that you’re struggling with.

You are free to choose the service that you feel would be best for you.

How can I make a referral?
To access our free counselling services, please follow the steps below. We are currently taking new referrals.

1. Download the Referral Form: Please download and complete our Counselling Referral Form
2. Submit the Form: Once completed, please email the referral form to our secure counselling inbox: counselling@blgbt.org

The waiting time for sessions to be offered is currently approximately six months after receipt of your referral form. We will accommodate your preferred day and method of counselling wherever possible – however, the more availability you have, the sooner we can see you.

How do sessions work?
Sessions take place in a calm and safe environment. You can attend in person at Birmingham LGBT, online, or by telephone.

• Duration and Frequency: Sessions last up to 50 minutes. They are usually held at the same time on a weekly or fortnightly basis.
• The Process: Before your first session an assessment of your circumstances will be carried out over the phone, and a review is usually completed halfway through your sessions.
• Setting the Agenda: It’s your choice what you talk about in your counselling sessions. Your therapist will help you reflect on your experiences, thoughts, and feelings to support you in identifying ways of managing and changing the things that are important to you.

What if I Need Additional Support?
We can offer support in accessing other relevant services—whether within Birmingham LGBT (e.g., peer support groups, if available) or by being referred to other external organisations—to meet any additional needs that may become apparent.

Urgent Mental Health Support

If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety, please call 999.

If you need urgent mental health support outside of our service hours, please contact one of the following 24/7 national resources:

• Samaritans: Call 116 123 (Free from any phone)
• NHS 111: Call 111 for urgent medical advice or mental health support.
• NHS Urgent Mental Health Help: Get advice on where to get urgent help for mental health: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/

Other NHS Information

Medical Transition Support

Disclaimer: Birmingham LGBT does not provide NHS Gender Dysphoria Clinic services.

If you/your service user is looking to access medical transition (e.g., hormones, surgical intervention), they will need a referral to an NHS Gender Dysphoria Clinic: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/how-to-find-an-nhs-gender-identity-clinic/

Accessing NHS Counselling

To access NHS talking therapies, you can:

• Use this tool to find your nearest NHS talking therapy service: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-nhs-talking-therapies/
• Make an appointment with your GP.