counselling services for the glbti community

Michelle is an out and proud lesbian Psychologist and has worked within the GLBTI community since graduating from her Psychology degree in 1991. Her original passion for training in Psychology came from her desire to contribute to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which hit Australia in the mid to late 1980's. And immediately upon graduating from Psychology, she volunteered with the Townsville Branch of the Queensland AIDS Council. These were the days of marketing programs in local nightclubs and counselling sessions under the pool table, regular visits to the local beats with condoms and syringes, and talking with everyone about the importance of safe-sex and safe-injecting. The fun that could be had working amongst the GLBTI community was countered by the immeasurable loss and grief, which was overwhelming.

speaking personally...

Since those early days, sex, sexuality, gender and relationships have continued to be of immense interest to me. Between 2003 and 2008, I wrote a fortnightly Health Column for the local Queensland Queer newspaper - QNews (originally Brother/Sister) in which I attempted to address the health concerns of our community in an inculsive manner, respectful of the diversity of individuals and the lifestyles that contribute to our community. Knowing only too well that, because of the oppression, marginalisation and discrimination that our community still lives with, we have a much higher incidence of emotional, psychological and physical health complaints than the general population. My hope in writing (and counselling) is always that through awareness and information we can regain contact with our fullest potential as people.

It is my belief that access to experienced, supportive and highly trained professionals is a fundamental right for each of us and I am happy to be able to offer my experience back to the community.