LGBTIQ+ Mental Health

LGBTIQ+ Support Groups

Tags: Therapeutic Group Counselling Mental Health

Our counselling service runs therapeutic support groups to help people living with HIV and our LGBTIQ+ communities.

How Does Group Support Work?

The groups are:

Facilitated by professional counsellors or psychotherapists
Held weekly and run for six to ten weeks. Group members agree to attend all sessions
Sometimes focused on particular themes, such as anxiety or living with HIV so you can get help with particular issues

A group approach:

Can help you change unhelpful thoughts or behaviours
Work with other group members to develop a stronger sense of self
Provides a safe and confidential space

You may feel anxious and uncomfortable about joining a group and talking about yourself. However, our facilitators are trained to monitor, give feedback, and help the group work through difficult issues. Group members often feel supported by the others in the group, and gain strength from knowing that there are others going through similar issues.

Please select the group you are interested in below:

RE-WIRED

Methamphetamine Support Group

Re-Wired is a free, eight week program for men who have sex with men (MSM) aimed at helping you to learn skills and strategies to change your methamphetamine use and better manage your mental health.

The group focuses on topics including:

Relapse prevention
Methamphetamine and the brain
Sleep and nutrition
HIV & sex
Mental health and mindfulness
As well as featuring a guest speaker talking about their story of recovery

In addition to participating in the group, there is also the added option for you to engage in individual face to face or telephone counselling whilst the group is running as an extra support for your recovery.

Each part of the Re-Wired program is free and will be held at Thorne Harbour Health. To make a referral or register your interest, please call us today on (03) 9865 6700 and ask to speak to someone from the counselling team.

FEARLESS

LGBTIQ+ Support Group

We live in a world that can be disapproving and hostile towards us as LGBTIQ+ people. Without even being aware of it, we can sometimes buy into this negativity and let it impact how we feel about ourselves.

Is homophobia impacting you?

FEARLESS is an eight-week therapeutic group for members of the LGBTIQ+ community who feel impacted by homophobia. It is facilitated by professional counsellors and aims to provide a respectful and safe environment to explore the effects of homophobia. The group will cover a range of topics including: coming out, self-esteem, sex, relationships, community and future planning

To express your interest in joining the group or find out more, please call Thorne Harbour Health Counselling Service (03) 9865 6700, or email counselling@thorneharbour.org

Calming Anxiety

Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is the most common mental health problem in Australia and rates are particularly high within LGBTIQ+ communities.

At some point in our lives, most LGBTIQ+ people have been affected by hostility and/or discrimination. For some people, over a lifetime, these experiences can contribute to the development of longer-term patterns of anxiety, which can reduce our ability to live authentic and rewarding lives.

Calming Anxiety is a 6-week therapeutic group for people from LGBTIQ+ communities to explore and manage the effects of anxiety in a safe and supportive environment.

Want to find out if Calming Anxiety is a good fit for you? Contact us on (03) 9865 6700 or email our team counselling@thorneharbour.org.

Costs

Costs associated with the therapeutic groups can vary from free to low-cost. Typically, fees are based on a scale depending on your income. A gold coin donation is the fee for healthcare card holders and those on a disability support pension. Therapeutic groups offered through our Alcohol & Other Drug services are typically free.

Contact us

If you are interested in participating in any of our therapeutic groups or if you would like further information, please contact our counselling service.

Phone: (03) 9865 6700 or 1800 134 840 (free call for country callers).

Email: counselling@thorneharbour.org