LGBTQIA+, Rainbow & Queer-Affirming Counselling in Auckland and Online Across NZ

Finding a counsellor you feel comfortable talking to matters.

At Intimacy Counselling, we provide confidential, respectful and non-judgemental LGBTQ+ counselling for individuals and couples throughout New Zealand.

We welcome people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, non-binary, gender diverse, LGBTQIA+ or Rainbow, as well as people who prefer not to use a particular label.

You may want counselling specifically because you are exploring your sexuality or gender identity. Or you may simply want an LGBTQ+-affirming counsellor while dealing with relationships, intimacy, dating, anxiety, family, life changes or other concerns.

In-person counselling is available in Auckland, with online LGBTQ+ counselling available throughout New Zealand.

[BOOK LGBTQ+ COUNSELLING WITH CAT]

[BOOK WITH ANGELA]

How Can LGBTQ+ Counselling Help?

There is no single reason people seek LGBTQ+ counselling.

You might want somewhere to talk about your sexuality or gender identity. You may be navigating a relationship, thinking about coming out or dealing with difficulties involving family, culture or religion.

Or being LGBTQ+ may have very little to do with why you are seeking counselling—you simply want a counsellor with whom you can talk openly without having to explain or defend who you are.

Our counsellors can support people with:

  • Sexuality and sexual orientation

  • Questioning your sexuality

  • Gender identity

  • Questioning your gender

  • Coming out

  • Gay, lesbian, bisexual and queer identity

  • Transgender and non-binary experiences

  • Dating and relationships

  • Relationship difficulties

  • Intimacy and sexual concerns

  • Sexual confidence

  • Differences in sexual desire

  • Communication and conflict

  • Trust and infidelity

  • Family and whānau relationships

  • Cultural expectations

  • Religion and sexuality

  • Rejection or discrimination

  • Stress, anxiety and low mood

  • Confidence and self-acceptance

  • Relationship changes and separation

Counselling is centred around what you want to talk about and what you want from counselling.

[BOOK WITH CAT]

Sexuality Counselling

Exploring Sexual Orientation, Attraction & Identity

Sexuality can involve attraction, identity, relationships, intimacy and how you understand yourself.

You may have always understood your sexual orientation clearly. Or you may be questioning your sexuality for the first time.

Questions can also emerge later in life or while someone is already in a marriage or long-term relationship.

You might be wondering:

  • Am I gay?

  • Am I lesbian?

  • Could I be bisexual?

  • Why am I questioning my sexuality?

  • What does this attraction mean?

  • Do I need to come out?

  • What will this mean for my relationship?

  • How do I tell my partner or family?

  • Do I even need a label?

Counselling isn't about telling you what your sexuality is.

It gives you somewhere private to explore your own feelings, attractions, experiences and relationships.

[READ ABOUT SEXUALITY COUNSELLING NZ]

Gender Identity Counselling

Support for Transgender, Non-Binary, Gender-Diverse & Questioning People

Gender identity and sexual orientation are different.

Gender identity relates to your internal sense of your gender, while sexual orientation relates to attraction and sexuality.

You may have understood your gender identity for a long time or only recently started questioning it.

Our gender identity counselling can provide support around:

  • Questioning your gender

  • Transgender or trans identity

  • Non-binary identity

  • Gender diversity

  • Gender expression

  • Coming out

  • Family and whānau

  • Relationships

  • Dating

  • Intimacy and sexuality

  • Confidence

  • Life changes

  • Cultural or religious considerations

You don't need to arrive at counselling knowing exactly how you identify.

[READ ABOUT GENDER IDENTITY COUNSELLING NZ]

Gay Counselling

You don't have to be experiencing a problem specifically related to being gay to want an LGBTQ+-affirming counsellor.

You might want help with:

  • Dating

  • Relationships

  • Communication

  • Intimacy

  • Sexual concerns

  • Coming out

  • Family relationships

  • Confidence

  • Trust

  • Relationship conflict

  • Loneliness

  • Life changes

Counselling provides somewhere you can talk openly about your relationships and life without assumptions about what those relationships should look like.

[BOOK LGBTQ+ COUNSELLING]

Lesbian Counselling

We provide individual and couples counselling for lesbian clients seeking support with relationships, sexuality, intimacy or other areas of life.

Counselling may help with:

  • Dating and relationships

  • Communication

  • Relationship conflict

  • Intimacy

  • Sexual desire

  • Trust

  • Coming out

  • Family relationships

  • Sexuality and identity

  • Relationship changes

You can attend individually or together with your partner.

[BOOK WITH CAT]

Bisexual & Queer Counselling

People who are bisexual, pansexual or queer can sometimes experience particular questions around identity, attraction and relationships.

You may know exactly how you identify.

Or you may be asking:

Am I bisexual?

Does attraction to more than one gender change my current relationship?

Do I need to tell my partner?

Can I be bisexual if I've only had relationships with one gender?

Do I actually need to choose a label?

Counselling provides a confidential place to explore these questions without pressure to reach a particular conclusion.

[SEXUALITY COUNSELLING NZ]

LGBTQ+ Couples & Relationship Counselling

We work with LGBTQ+ couples as well as individuals.

Relationship counselling can help when you are experiencing:

  • Communication difficulties

  • Recurring arguments

  • Emotional disconnection

  • Low intimacy

  • Differences in sexual desire

  • Trust difficulties

  • Infidelity

  • Sexual concerns

  • Relationship uncertainty

  • Changes in sexuality or gender identity

  • Different relationship expectations

  • Separation or decisions about the future

Our focus is on understanding your particular relationship rather than making assumptions about what a relationship should look like.

[COUPLES & RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLING]

LGBTQ+ Sex Therapy & Intimacy Counselling

Sexual wellbeing is an important part of life for many people.

You may want help with sexual confidence, desire, intimacy, sexual functioning or communication about sex.

Our sex therapy services include support around concerns such as:

  • Low sexual desire

  • Mismatched desire

  • Loss of intimacy

  • Sexual confidence

  • Erectile difficulties

  • Premature ejaculation

  • Sexual pain

  • Difficulties communicating about sex

  • Sexual behaviour concerns

  • Pornography concerns

  • Rebuilding sexual connection

Sex therapy is available for individuals and couples.

[SEX THERAPY & SEXUAL WELLNESS]

[LOW INTIMACY & MISMATCHED DESIRE COUNSELLING]

Coming Out Counselling

Coming out is a personal decision.

There isn't one correct way to do it, and you don't have to come out simply because you have begun understanding your sexuality or gender differently.

You may be considering talking with:

  • Your partner

  • Parents

  • Children

  • Friends

  • Whānau

  • Colleagues

  • Your religious community

  • Your wider community

Counselling can provide somewhere private to think through what you want, what feels safe and how you would like to approach these conversations.

LGBTQ+ Counselling for Family, Culture & Religion

Sexuality and gender can intersect with family, culture, faith and community.

For some people these different parts of life sit comfortably together.

For others they can create significant questions or conflict.

Counselling can give you somewhere to explore your own beliefs, values, relationships, sexuality and identity respectfully.

The focus is on understanding what matters to you.

Cat Valentine

Cat works with individuals and couples and welcomes clients across different sexual orientations, gender identities and relationship structures.

Her counselling approach is warm, relaxed and collaborative, creating space to talk about issues that may otherwise feel difficult to discuss.

Areas you may wish to explore with Cat include:

  • LGBTQ+ relationships

  • Sexuality

  • Gender identity

  • Questioning sexuality or gender

  • Coming out

  • Dating

  • Communication

  • Relationship difficulties

  • Intimacy

  • Sexual wellbeing

  • Connection and confidence

Cat offers in-person counselling in Auckland and online counselling throughout New Zealand.

Want to work specifically with Cat?

You can book directly with her.

[BOOK LGBTQ+ COUNSELLING WITH CAT]

Online LGBTQ+ Counselling NZ

You don't need to live in Auckland to work with an Intimacy Counselling therapist.

We provide online LGBTQ+ counselling throughout New Zealand, including for people living in Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin, Nelson, Queenstown, Northland and regional communities.

Online counselling may suit you if:

  • You don't have suitable LGBTQ+-affirming counselling nearby

  • You live outside a major city

  • You prefer the privacy of your own home

  • Travel is difficult

  • You want to work with a particular counsellor

  • Online appointments fit more easily around work or family

[ONLINE COUNSELLING NZ]

[BOOK ONLINE COUNSELLING WITH CAT]

LGBTQ+ Counselling FAQs

Do I need to identify as LGBTQ+ to book?

No. You may be questioning your sexuality or gender, prefer another term or not want to use a label at all.

Can I see a counsellor if I'm questioning my sexuality?

Yes. You don't need to decide your sexual orientation before coming to counselling. See our [SEXUALITY COUNSELLING NZ] service.

Do you provide transgender and non-binary counselling?

We provide counselling for transgender, non-binary, gender-diverse and questioning clients. Read more about [GENDER IDENTITY COUNSELLING NZ].

Can my partner come with me?

Yes. We work with individuals and couples. Visit [COUPLES & RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLING].

Can I get LGBTQ+ counselling online?

Yes. Online appointments allow people throughout New Zealand to access counselling.

Do you offer LGBTQ+ sex therapy?

Yes. Intimacy Counselling provides specialist [SEX THERAPY & SEXUAL WELLNESS] services for individuals and couples.

What if I'm not sure whether my issue is about sexuality, gender or my relationship?

That's okay. You don't need to work that out before booking. You can discuss what is happening with your counsellor and decide together what you would like to focus on.

Book LGBTQ+ Counselling NZ

You don't need to have everything figured out before you contact us.

Whether you want help with sexuality, gender identity, relationships, coming out, intimacy, sexual wellbeing, or simply want an LGBTQ+-affirming counsellor to talk to, you are welcome to contact us.

Book With Cat

Cat Valentine – Auckland & Online NZ

[BOOK WITH CAT]

Book With Angela

Angela Rennie – Auckland & Online NZ

[BOOK WITH ANGELA]

Explore More

[SEXUALITY COUNSELLING NZ]

[GENDER IDENTITY COUNSELLING NZ]

[COUPLES & RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLING]

[SEX THERAPY & SEXUAL WELLNESS]

[ONLINE COUNSELLING NZ]