What is GSRD Therapy?

Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity Therapy is an affirmative therapeutic approach, working with acceptance and awareness of diversity and actively supporting LGBTQIA+ and GSRD clients. The term GSRD is used to encompass all gender identities, biological sex diversity, sexual orientations and relationship styles. 

 

Sadly, GSRD clients have often felt invalidated or ‘missed’ by therapists. Sometimes they are left feeling pathologised by therapists who tried to ‘cure’ them. In a culture that promotes heteronormative, cisgender and monogamous ways of being I passionately believe in supporting and empowering gender, sexuality, and relationship diverse people.

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In my practice I support gay, lesbian, queer, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, and intersex/dsd people; trans, non-binary, gender fluid and genderqueer people; people who identify as fetishists, kinky or have an interest in BDSM; people in polyamorous and non-monogamous relationships; those people who are questioning their gender, sexuality and relationship styles and all those identities and practices in between.

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Gender, sexuality and relationships are relevant to everyone but this may not necessarily be the focus of counselling/psychotherapy unless it is something you wish to explore. You may have specific issues you wish to work on such as navigating life in a heteronormative society, family alienation or internalised oppression. Being part of a marginalised group can result in issues including victimisation and bullying, isolation, trauma and hypervigilance, shame, substance misuse and minority stress. I offer an accepting and affirming environment for you to safely explore whatever issues you wish to work on.

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I have worked with many GSRD clients and have educated myself to have a comprehensive understanding of diverse practices and identities whilst respecting the nuances of the client’s unique lived experience. I am mindful of how a person’s experiences of gender, sexuality and/or relationships may be fundamentally bound up with their race, class, age, cultural background, faith or further dimensions of their life. I am a BDSM and kink knowledgeable therapist and work with awareness of the dynamics of diverse relationships. I am wholeheartedly committed to empowering GSRD clients to be their authentic selves through non-judgmental, affirming and client led therapy.