Wes Woodland

Counsellor

Exposing Shame

LGBTQIA+ Support

You don’t have to hate being queer to carry shame about it.

Even if you’re proud of who you are—or want to be—that pride can sometimes sit alongside doubt, anxiety, or emotional pain you don’t quite know how to name.

Many LGBTQIA+ people grow up in environments where parts of themselves were ignored, discouraged, or directly shamed. That kind of silence or judgment often goes underground. It can shape the way we think, relate, and see ourselves. Without us realising it’s happening.

You might be someone who’s already out. Or maybe you’re questioning. Maybe you’ve never had a chance to explore what you’re feeling, because life has just kept moving.

This page is for you; whether you’re clear on what you need, or are only just starting to wonder.

lgbtq neon rainbow

The Opportunity to Talk Freely

You Don’t Have to Explain

It’s not always easy to talk about identity, relationships, or what it’s like to carry years of feeling “other.” Especially if you’re used to keeping things to yourself, or if you’ve never had anyone reflect back that your experiences make sense.

Therapy can offer a space to be fully yourself without having to explain the basics, soften your story, or make it easier for someone else to hear.

This might be the first time you’ve been able to talk about:

  • Feeling “not queer enough,” “too queer,” or like you don’t fit anywhere
  • The pressure to act a certain way—more masc, more femme, more likeable, more acceptable
  • The long-term effects of being closeted, isolated, or made to feel ashamed
  • Internal conflicts around sex, desire, or relationships
  • The intersectionality within your identity
  • Feeling disconnected from your body, your voice, or your sense of self
  • Difficult family dynamics or painful experiences you’ve never really unpacked

You don’t have to be in crisis to come to therapy. You might just want to feel more at ease, more connected, or more able to live in a way that feels real.

Been There, Done That

My Approach

I’m a gay counsellor, and this is work I care deeply about.

For a long time, I didn’t even realise how much I was carrying. The self-judgment, the people-pleasing, the constant second-guessing of what I said, how I looked, who I was trying to be. I thought it was just normal to feel that way.

Therapy gave me the space to actually pause and listen. To stop trying to “fix” myself and start understanding what I’d learned to hide.

In our sessions, I’ll offer you the same space:

  • No pressure to perform
  • No assumptions about who you are or how you live
  • Just time to talk honestly, explore gently, and feel what’s true for you

Whether you’re out, closeted, questioning, or somewhere in between, you deserve support that respects the whole of who you are.

Starting therapy can feel daunting, especially if you’ve never done it before. You don’t have to commit straight away. I offer a free, informal consultation call so we can talk things through and see if we’re a good fit.

I also hold a limited number of concession spaces for LGBTQIA+ clients on a low income. If finances are a barrier, let me know and we can discuss what’s possible.

You’re welcome to bring whatever’s on your mind. There’s no “right way” to start, and no story too small.

This is a space where you don’t have to hide. Let’s take it from there.

Book your free consultation…

…And find out how counselling can help you.

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