LGBTQ+ Counselling NZ
Supportive, affirming counselling for LGBTQ+, LGBTQIA+, queer and Rainbow people
At Intimacy Counselling, we provide confidential, respectful and non-judgemental LGBTQ+ counselling for people throughout New Zealand.
You may be exploring your sexuality, questioning how you identify, navigating relationships, coming out, experiencing difficulties with family or simply looking for a counsellor with whom you can speak openly about your life and relationships.
You do not need to have everything figured out before coming to counselling.
Our aim is to provide a supportive space where you can talk openly about what is happening for you, without assumptions about who you are, who you are attracted to or what your relationships should look like.
LGBTQ+ counselling is available in online & throughout New Zealand.
[BOOK LGBTQ+ COUNSELLING WITH CAT Intern]
LGBTQ+ and Rainbow Counselling
People seek LGBTQ+ counselling for many different reasons.
Sometimes the reason is directly connected with sexuality or identity. At other times, someone simply wants an LGBTQ+-affirming counsellor while working through the same challenges that can affect anyone.
We can provide counselling and support around:
Exploring sexuality or sexual orientation
Questioning your sexuality
Coming out or deciding whether to come out
Gay, lesbian and bisexual identity
Queer identity
LGBTQ+ relationships
Relationship and intimacy difficulties
Dating and forming relationships
Sexual confidence and sexual wellbeing
Family or cultural expectations
Religious beliefs and sexuality
Shame or difficulties with self-acceptance
Discrimination or rejection
Anxiety, stress or low mood
Relationship changes or separation
Communication and conflict
Intimacy and sexual concerns
You don't need to fit a particular label to access LGBTQ+ counselling.
Whether you identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, LGBTQIA+, Rainbow, are questioning your sexuality, or prefer not to use a label at all, counselling can be tailored to what is important to you.
Sexuality Counselling
Sexuality can involve attraction, relationships, identity, intimacy and how you understand yourself.
For some people, sexuality has always felt clear. For others, questions can emerge gradually or following a relationship, attraction, life change or experience that causes them to reconsider how they identify.
There is no requirement to reach a particular conclusion.
Sexuality counselling is not about telling you what your sexuality is. It provides space to explore your own thoughts, feelings, attractions, relationships and experiences.
We can support people exploring:
Sexual orientation
Same-sex attraction
Bisexuality
Gay or lesbian identity
Queer identity
Questioning sexuality
Coming out
Sexuality later in life
Sexuality within an existing relationship or marriage
Cultural or religious expectations
Relationships and dating
Sexual confidence
Intimacy and connection
Want more information?
Gender Identity Counselling
Gender identity is separate from sexual orientation.
Some people have a clear understanding of their gender, while others may be questioning or exploring what gender means for them.
Counselling can provide a confidential space to explore these experiences at your own pace.
Support may include conversations around:
Gender identity
Questioning your gender
Transgender identity
Non-binary identity
Gender expression
Coming out
Relationships and gender
Family and whānau relationships
Cultural or religious expectations
Confidence and self-acceptance
Changes within intimate relationships
Our role is to support you in exploring your own experiences and decisions rather than deciding your identity for you.
LGBTQ+ Relationship Counselling
LGBTQ+ couples can experience many of the same relationship challenges as any other couple, alongside issues that may be specific to sexuality, identity, family acceptance or experiences within the wider community.
Our relationship counsellors can help with:
Communication difficulties
Recurring conflict
Feeling emotionally disconnected
Intimacy difficulties
Differences in sexual desire
Trust and infidelity
Dating and relationship uncertainty
Changes in sexuality or identity within a relationship
Separation and relationship decisions
Rebuilding closeness and connection
[READ ABOUT RELATIONSHIP & COUPLES COUNSELLING]
You can also explore our [SEX THERAPY & SEXUAL WELLNESS] services if sexual concerns are affecting you or your relationship.
Meet One of Our LGBTQ+ Counsellors
Cat Valentine – Auckland & Online
Cat works with individuals and couples and welcomes clients from all backgrounds, orientations and relationship dynamics.
Her counselling work includes relationships, communication, connection, intimacy and sexual wellbeing. Her style is warm, relaxed and collaborative, providing space to have conversations that may otherwise feel difficult to begin.
Cat offers sessions online and in person in Auckland.
Book directly with Cat
If you would particularly like to work with Cat, you don't need to make a general enquiry first.
Online LGBTQ+ Counselling NZ
You do not need to live in Auckland to work with us.
Our online LGBTQ+ counselling provides access to counselling from throughout New Zealand and can be particularly useful if you:
Live outside a major city
Prefer the privacy of counselling from home
Have limited LGBTQ+-affirming services available locally
Travel frequently
Prefer online appointments
Want to work with a particular counsellor
You Don't Need to Have the Right Words
It is completely okay to come to counselling unsure about what you are feeling or how you identify.
You don't need to choose a label before seeking support.
You can simply start with what is happening for you.
Our counsellors can provide a confidential space where you can explore sexuality, relationships, intimacy, identity and wellbeing at your own pace.
Ready to talk?
Book directly with one of our counsellors.
Cat Valentine – Auckland & Online
[BOOK WITH CAT]
Angela Rennie – Auckland & Online
[BOOK WITH ANGELA]
Or learn more about [OUR THERAPISTS].
Intimacy Counselling provides counselling in Auckland, Remuera, Nelson and Mangawhai/Northland, as well as online counselling throughout New Zealand.