Sexuality Counselling NZ
Sexual Orientation, LGBTQ+ & Questioning Sexuality Counselling
Understanding your sexuality isn't always straightforward.
You may have always known who you are attracted to. You may be questioning your sexuality for the first time, discovering something about yourself later in life, considering coming out, or wondering what your sexuality means for an existing relationship.
At Intimacy Counselling, we provide confidential and non-judgemental sexuality counselling in Auckland and online throughout New Zealand.
We welcome people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, queer, LGBTQIA+ or Rainbow, as well as people who are questioning their sexuality or don't want to use a label at all.
You don't have to know exactly how you identify before coming to counselling.
What Is Sexuality Counselling?
Sexuality counselling provides a private space to explore your sexual orientation, attractions, relationships, identity, intimacy and experiences.
You might want support with:
Questioning your sexuality
Sexual orientation
Same-sex attraction
Gay or lesbian identity
Bisexuality
Pansexuality
Asexuality
Queer identity
Coming out
Sexuality later in life
Sexuality within a marriage or relationship
Dating and relationships
Sexual confidence
Intimacy
Family or whānau reactions
Cultural expectations
Religion and sexuality
Shame or difficulty accepting your sexuality
Relationship changes following coming out
Sexuality counselling isn't about somebody else deciding your sexuality.
It gives you somewhere to explore your own thoughts, feelings, attractions, relationships and experiences at your own pace.
Questioning Your Sexuality
You don't need to have the answers before seeking counselling.
You may be wondering:
Am I gay?
Could I be bisexual?
Am I lesbian?
Why am I questioning my sexuality now?
What does this attraction mean?
Do I need to choose a label?
Should I come out?
What will this mean for my relationship?
Sometimes these questions emerge gradually. At other times, a particular attraction, relationship or life experience can make someone reconsider how they understand their sexuality.
Counselling gives you a confidential place to explore these questions without pressure to reach a particular conclusion.
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Queer Counselling
You don't have to be seeking counselling specifically because of your sexuality.
You may simply want a counsellor with whom you can comfortably talk about your life and relationships.
We provide counselling around:
Dating and relationships
Coming out
Relationship difficulties
Communication
Intimacy
Sexual concerns
Sexual confidence
Family and whānau
Trust
Loneliness
Anxiety and stress
Relationship changes
Sexuality Later in Life
Not everyone understands or identifies their sexuality when they are young.
Some people begin questioning their sexual orientation in their 30s, 40s, 50s or later.
This can happen while someone is single, dating, married or in a long-term relationship.
Realising that your understanding of your sexuality may be changing can bring relief, excitement, uncertainty, fear—or several emotions at once.
Counselling can help you explore what you are experiencing and what you want to do next.
Sexuality Within a Marriage or Long-Term Relationship
Questions about sexuality can feel particularly complicated when you already have a partner.
You may care deeply about your partner while also trying to understand something new about yourself.
Individual or couples counselling can help you explore:
Sexual orientation
Attraction
Communication
Intimacy
Coming out to a partner
Relationship expectations
Trust
Sexual connection
Decisions about your future
Sexuality, Sex & Intimacy
Sexual orientation and sexual wellbeing are related, but they aren't the same thing.
You may feel comfortable with your sexuality but experience difficulties with desire, intimacy, sexual confidence or sexual functioning.
Intimacy Counselling provides specialist support for:
Low sexual desire
Mismatched desire
Loss of intimacy
Sexual confidence
Erectile difficulties
Premature ejaculation
Sexual pain
Communication about sex
Rebuilding sexual connection
Sexuality & Gender Identity Are Different
Sexual orientation broadly relates to who you are attracted to.
Gender identity relates to your internal experience of gender.
They can intersect, but they aren't the same thing.
If you're primarily exploring your gender, visit our Gender Identity Counselling NZ page.
For broader Rainbow and LGBTQIA+ support:
Meet Cat – Sexuality Counselling Auckland & Online NZ
Cat works with individuals and couples and welcomes clients from different backgrounds, sexual orientations and relationship dynamics.
Her warm and collaborative approach provides a space to discuss topics that can sometimes feel difficult to talk about elsewhere.
You may wish to work with Cat around:
Sexuality
Questioning your sexuality
LGBTQ+ relationships
Relationships and dating
Communication
Intimacy
Sexual wellbeing
Connection
Sexuality Counselling With Angela Rennie
Angela Rennie is an experienced counsellor and sex therapist.
Her work includes relationships, sexuality, intimacy and sexual wellbeing.
Angela works with individuals and couples and provides a confidential, non-judgemental environment for sensitive conversations.
Online Sexuality Counselling NZ
You can access sexuality counselling online from throughout New Zealand.
Online counselling may be particularly useful if you don't have suitable sexuality or LGBTQ+-affirming counselling locally, live outside Auckland or simply prefer the privacy and convenience of counselling from home.
Book Sexuality Counselling NZ
You don't need to know exactly how you identify.
You don't need to have decided whether to come out.
And you don't need to have all the answers.
Counselling can be where you start exploring the questions.