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
Links and resources mentioned in this episode
- PFLAG Australia – Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbian and Gay People.
- Freedom 2 Be – freedom2b assists LGBTI people from Christian backgrounds on their journey to reconciling their faith, sexuality and gender identity.
- Gay Christian Network
- Transgender Victoria
- Bi-Alliance Victoria
- The Gender Centre – Sydney
- MGA Counselling Services – Matt Glover’s counselling practice
- Encountering the LGBTI Community – workshops run by Matt Glover
- Bruce Jenner’s transgender journey an inspiration – article by Matt Glover on ABC’s The Drum
- Encountering LGBTI – Professional development training in LGBTI issues
About Matt Glover
Director MGA Counselling Services
BSc (Hons), BTheol, GradDipTheol, M (Counselling)
M.A.C.A. (Level 2)
Accredited MHSS Trainer and ACT Therapist
Matt is an accredited counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association and holds a Masters degree in counselling from Monash University. Since 1998 Matt has been involved in a variety of counselling and pastoral care roles ranging from home based health care to emergency relief and crisis support. Currently he is the director of MGA Counselling services and provides individual, couple, family and group counselling at the Croydon Hills and East Doncaster centres. Matt provides professional and personal development courses on a range of topics and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media on sexuality and mental health. Visit his website to find out more at www.mgacounselling.com.au
Listen to the audio with the player at the top of this post, or listen on SoundCloud, Stitcher Radio, or subscribe in iTunes.
