LGBTQIA+

We care deeply about supporting the queer community.

We know that LGBTQIA+ people often face more exclusion, bullying, and trauma throughout life, and that these experiences can leave lasting impacts. Many queer people experience fear, self-doubt, or isolation, particularly when they haven’t yet come out or worry that they won’t be supported by family or friends. These experiences can contribute to anxiety, depression, and feelings of hopelessness, which is why having access to affirming support is so important.

We are proud to provide a safe, empathic, and genuinely affirming space where you can explore whatever you need to process. Whether that’s relationship challenges, identity questions, past trauma, or navigating family dynamics, you’ll be met with warmth, respect, and acceptance. We are committed to gender-affirming practice in both our personal values and professional work, ensuring you never have to explain or justify who you are.

Understanding your experience

Many of the queer clients we work with have experienced trauma, often beginning in childhood. For some, this comes from rejection or conflict during the coming-out process. For others, it started much earlier through emotional neglect or a lack of safety in their family systems. It’s common for people to describe deep empathy for their parents and an awareness that they “had it tough,” which can make it difficult to acknowledge their own pain or unmet needs.

We understand how those experiences can lead to self-doubt, low self-worth, or difficulty trusting your own feelings. You might struggle to express needs in relationships, find yourself drawn into cycles of people-pleasing, or feel anxious about being fully seen. These patterns make sense when you’ve learned to stay small to stay safe.

Young adult same sex couple hugging looking at camera

What therapy can help with

Therapy offers a space to unpack these experiences safely and without judgement. We support you to build healthier relationships, strengthen boundaries, and, if it feels important, repair family connections. You’ll develop coping strategies for emotional regulation and begin to rebuild self-esteem from a place of self-acceptance rather than seeking external approval.

For many people, the early goal of therapy is simply wanting life to feel easier and less overwhelming. Over time, this often grows into deeper self-understanding and a sense of calm confidence in who you are. Some clients choose to explore their childhood experiences and the origins of their pain, while others prefer to focus on current challenges. Either way, we’ll meet you where you’re at.

A safe and affirming space

Therapy with us is relaxed, human, and real. You’ll often see a fidget spinner in our hands, and if you feel more comfortable without shoes, you’re welcome to kick them off and settle in. Our approach is collaborative and grounded in compassion. We sit beside you, not above you.

We believe that every queer person deserves to feel supported, affirmed, and valued exactly as they are. Together, we’ll work toward self-acceptance, stronger relationships, and a deeper self-belief in your worth.

At Collective Hope Therapy, you don’t have to hide or filter parts of yourself. This is a place where you can breathe, explore, and simply be you.

Everything has changed for me since starting therapy.

Prue's client shares her story...

When I started therapy, I was in a really difficult domestic partnership, I was isolated from friends and family, and I was working in and studying in areas that didn’t align with my values. I was either emotionally numb or unregulated. I felt terrible, low and out of control all the time. I knew I wanted to change my life, but I didn’t know how to start.

In my first session, Prue listened to me in a gentle and non-judgemental way. She gave me tools that helped me assess how I was feeling and start to find a way towards regaining a sense of control and selfhood.

Over the next few months, my life changed a lot, and it was chaotic. My sessions with Prue provided a neutral, calm and supportive space for me to share my feelings and work through my problems.

Around this time, I was diagnosed with Autism and Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder by a separate practitioner. Prue continued to provide me with tools to decode the mysteries of my feelings. I slowly went from just feeling ‘flat’ or ‘low’ or ‘bad’ to being able to identify what complex emotions and physical sensations were happening for me, and then being able to problem-solve what I needed to get back into my window of tolerance. I didn’t even know it was possible to feel two emotions at the same time until I started seeing Prue!

I feel safe with Prue. She is very responsive and caring when I articulate my needs. I always make an agenda before our sessions, and Prue makes sure there is time to tick off all the items, from exploring deep-seated family dynamics to soundboarding a message I want to send my crush.

Everything has changed for me since starting therapy. I am working in a job that I love. I’m exploring different options of where I want to live. I’m close with my family, I have lots of strong and rewarding friendships and I’m enjoying dating as well. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by starting therapy. I couldn’t recommend Prue highly enough.