FAQs

How do I know if Rampion is the right counselling practice for me?

All of our therapists work with everyone, regardless of your identity or background. While we specialise in LGBTQ+ issues, every person has a gender, gender expression, sexuality, and relationship preference that they can explore in therapy, as well as the universal experiences shared by all of us like confusion, loss, despair or isolation. The kind of help you need changes depending on whether you are in a crisis, facing a period of transition, or want to work on some feelings, thoughts or behaviours that are holding you back. Our therapists can help you to explore the feelings or situation you are in, and to find ways to manage them, giving you more control and a greater sense of meaning in your life.

Do I need therapy or do I just need to get over it?

Every individual is different, and there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ reason to come to therapy. It can be common for someone to think that their problem isn’t serious enough, or that others might be in more need of therapy. From personal experience, we have all seen and felt the benefits of having therapy and believe it can be helpful to anyone, whether they have a difficulty or diagnosis, or whether they are looking for more direction in life. Even if you have a good support network, it can still be helpful to talk to an unbiased person in complete confidence.  Sometimes friends or family are enmeshed in the problem, and though they might want to help, they can’t offer the impartiality or skills of a counsellor.

What does LGBTQ+ mean?

The acronym LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer or Questioning. Transgender means that your gender identity is different from the gender you were assigned at birth. At present the correct term is Trans/Transgender, and not Transsexual. The term Trans is an adjective, so you would not say someone is “a transgender”. Queer is an umbrella term used by many who do not identify as heterosexual and do not necessarily want to adopt any particular label. While Queer has historically been used as a term of abuse, language changes all the time, and it has recently been ‘reclaimed’ by many. The + is used to include other identities such as Asexual, Agender, Pansexual and Genderqueer, to name a few.

What does ‘affirmative’ therapy mean?

Affirmative therapy means that we work in a way that ‘affirms’ your identity. While we understand that a person’s gender or sexual identity is just one part of who they are, we think that it is really important that our clients know that their identity will not be challenged or questioned. Affirmative therapy is incredibly important in light of conversion therapy practices, which are harmful as they can make clients believe that their identity is inherently wrong and can be forced to change. We understand that sexuality and gender identity can be fluid, so we accept you as you are, however you identify.

What does the term Cis(gender) mean?

If the gender you were assigned at birth (boy or girl) corresponds with your own personal sense of who you are, then you can use the term cis woman or cis man.

Do you work with people who do sex work?

Of course. We work affirmatively with people who do sex work and won’t pathologise someone because of their job. Importantly, we recognise that the reason for seeking therapy might have nothing to do with your work, however we can also help you to explore the meaning of sex work from your perspective and experiences.