Trans and
Non-Binary

Young non-binary adult outside in the park

At Collective Hope Therapy, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people are met with warmth, respect, and full affirmation.

We understand that life can feel hard in many places at once, whether that is a non-supportive family, unhealed trauma, friendship or relationship difficulties, dysphoria and the pain of questioning, or challenges in study and work. People who are gender diverse, or exploring identity and expression, need safe places to talk, to make sense of what they feel, and to be accepted without judgment. That is the focus here.

Neurodiversity can be part of the picture. Misdiagnosis is common, especially when trauma is present. This can blur what is really going on and delay getting the right help. We work gently to untangle trauma, neurodiversity, and gender, so care plans fit the person rather than forcing the person to fit the plan.

What support looks like

Therapy is collaborative and paced. Many clients seek help to access the care and support they deserve from family, friends, and workplaces. We help people strengthen relationships, and where important, repair family connections. Sessions focus on building coping skills, steadier emotional regulation, and a growing sense of self-esteem. People are supported to move toward self-acceptance and a clearer belief in their own value.

Some clients want to do deeper work that looks at childhood, attachment, and earlier experiences. Others prefer to focus on current challenges and practical steps. Both paths are welcome. Nothing is off limits, and nothing said in session will shock us.

Young trans adult standing outside with sun setting

What may sit beneath

Many clients carry trauma that began in childhood. Some experienced rejection or hostility during coming out. Others grew up without consistent emotional support and only later realised that what they lived through was invalidating. It is common to hold empathy for parents and still find it hard to name one’s own pain. Underneath, there can be self-doubt, difficulty trusting feelings and needs, and trouble setting boundaries.

How it feels here

The space is relaxed and non-clinical. We sit beside people, not above them. We help clients navigate the overlap between gender diversity, neurodiversity, and trauma in a calm, gentle, and collaborative way.

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Lisa, a 60 year old, trans neurodivergent woman with PTSD shares her story

I was dealing with relatively poor mental health, particularly in the mornings, and although I had been assisted by different types of counselling/therapy, e.g. hypnosis, EFT and made some degree of progress, they weren’t getting to the root of my problems. I had tried EMDR previously; however, that practitioner wasn’t (IMO) trauma-informed or neurodivergent-informed.

When I heard Prue was trauma-informed, neurodivergent-informed and queer-informed, I knew it was definitely worth a shot. I knew I wouldn’t have to educate the practitioner, and we could get on with whatever issues I wanted covered.

The experience has been amazing. Prue set up “protective mechanisms”, e.g. imagining a safe space in the first 2 sessions. The first time we tried EMDR, she asked me to think of a “moderately distressing” (my words) experience to test things out. Once we established the process, we were then able to move into dealing with more intense experiences in my life, e.g. bullying and unfair dismissal.

The effect has been beneficial and is best described by analogy. Imagine you have a 5-metre-tall unwanted growth/weed in your backyard. You can climb up a ladder and chop off 1 metre but it’s most likely going to grow back. EMDR enables you to “dig up the weed by the roots” so all that is left are a few twigs and leaves to sweep up (or they might be blown away by the wind). I’m sleeping better and generally find mornings somewhat easier.

I also gained the bonus of Prue’s experience in that she offered authoritative questionnaires for autism, ADHD and “masking” re both. This led to greater self-understanding and Prue also recommended a psychiatrist for the “official” diagnosis required in Australia.

I’d 100% plus recommend Prue. She has an absolute sixth sense for EMDR and can intuitively find ways to move forward when there is a momentary sticking point where something appears not to be progressing. She balances kindness, logic, professional skill and her own lived expertise brilliantly. If you want a happier and healthier life, make that first appointment now.

With love and gratitude