Takeaway: We know that gay men face unique challenges, and we’re here to support you through them. Our LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapists in Toronto offer specialized care to help gay men thrive. Get in touch today to start the process.
Looking for a therapist who truly gets you as a gay man? Many reach out to us when they find it challenging to handle their issues on their own. Others seek our services after experiencing therapy that didn’t fully embrace queer identities. Our LGBTQ clients are usually looking for a counsellor who isn’t just familiar with, but deeply understands LGBTQ issues.
Our LGBTQ therapists go beyond being simply “gay-friendly” – they’re actively 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming. With a focus on trauma-informed and affirming counselling methods, they’re well-versed in navigating the intricacies of sexual orientation, gender identity, and mental health.
If you’re in Toronto and searching for an LGBT therapist, you might have some questions about the process. Below, we’ll provide answers to help you choose the therapist that best suits your needs.
Valuing diversity in words and acronyms
As we strive to honour and uplift the varied spectrum of identities in the LGBTQ community, we recognize the significance and impact of language and how it represents us.
Throughout this page, you’ll see a range of words and acronyms representing the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Our preference for “2SLGBTQIA+” is rooted in its inclusivity. Yet, we’re mindful that identity language is ever-changing and deeply personal, so we’ve used a variety of words and acronyms on this page. We aim to ensure that everyone, regardless of their preferred terms, feels welcomed and supported in their search.
Our commitment is to validate and respect each person’s path as they seek a therapist who genuinely connects with and understands their experiences.
Our approach to LGBTQIA+ affirmative counselling for gay men in Toronto
The Centre for Gay Counselling was established in response to the clear need for more specialized, high-quality mental health services catered to gay men.
Our team embraces 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming principles, meaning we emphasize the importance of recognizing and celebrating the inherent value of LGBTQ individuals. Our counsellors are affirming and possess specialized training and experience in LGBTQ issues.
Although our primary focus is on gay men, our services are inclusive. We welcome anyone who feels they could benefit from our expertise. Our LGBTQ therapists have a broad range of experience, including working with the LGBTQ community in general and the families and allies of 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
Our clinicians adopt diverse therapeutic approaches and philosophies. Initially, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with your therapist, explore different therapeutic options, and establish a focus for your therapy experience.
We use some of the following therapeutic approaches:
IFS focuses on fostering a stronger, more positive relationship with oneself and increasing self-compassion. This approach is effective for addressing challenges related to complex trauma (CPTSD), relationships, family of origin, and shame.
EMDR is a technique designed to help folks process and move past specific traumatic events that feel deeply ingrained and unresolved.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):
ACT is a type of cognitive behavioural therapy backed by substantial research demonstrating its efficacy. It’s beneficial in addressing challenges like anxiety, depression, stress, and feelings of being overwhelmed.
Sex Therapy:
Sex therapy offers a safe way to address matters concerning sex and sexuality. This therapy is inclusive and supportive of any gender identity and expression, including non-binary folx. It’s particularly beneficial for many in the LGBTQ community, as it provides a safe space to engage in self-discovery and feel empowered exploring sexuality and body image. Additionally, those in relationship therapy can often benefit from a counsellor who has training in sex therapy.
Whatever kind of counselling you decide on with your counsellor, all our therapists use trauma-informed approaches that are LGBTQ-affirming and nonpathologizing.
Meet our highly-rated gay therapists in Toronto
Beginning on the path to personal growth is a unique and individual experience, and connecting with the right counsellor in a safe and welcoming space is essential. We invite you to meet our team of therapists listed below to discover the one who aligns best with your needs.
Jordan Gruenhage
(he/him) • MA, CCC, RCC
🖥️ Exclusively online
🗓️ Accepting new clients
Jordan has devoted over a decade to research and specialized training focusing on the unique challenges faced by gay men. In addition, he is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Canadian Certified Counselor with a Master of Arts degree in counselling psychology. His approach is marked by playfully creating a warm, safe, and supportive environment to assist clients with exploring their mental health.
In his specialization, Jordan assists gay men in better understanding their emotions, recovering from past experiences of trauma, and building a stronger sense of self-worth. He is exceptionally skilled at providing support with trauma related to shame, self-esteem, family of origin, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Victor Wakarchuk
(he/him) • RCC, MSW, RSW
🖥️ Exclusively online
🗓️ Accepting new clients
Victor is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Registered Social Worker with over eight years of comprehensive professional experience in hospital and mental health settings. His expertise includes specialized work in both an HIV clinic and a trans health clinic. Victor’s approach to therapy is characterized by warmth, openness, and a non-judgmental attitude, creating a secure and affirming space for clients to explore their personal challenges.
Victor brings a deep understanding to supporting queer men dealing with concerns related to anxiety, stress, and depression. His proficiency in sex therapy also makes him exceptional at helping clients seeking support for issues related to sex and sexuality.
Why choose the Centre for Gay Counselling?
Curious if our practice aligns with your unique experiences and needs? Learn why The Centre for Gay Counselling might be a good choice for your path toward greater well-being.
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You’re looking for a queer-affirming therapy approach.
- Our dedication to 2SLGBTQIA+ affirmation goes beyond the skills, training, and rich experience our therapists have working with LGBTQ folks. It’s about actively embracing and appreciating someone’s gender identity and sexual orientation, not just acknowledging or tolerating them. Our perspective is that the variety in gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations is a valuable aspect of life and shouldn’t be considered pathological.
- We view 2SLGBTQIA+ affirmation as an evolving and ongoing journey. Our therapists regularly interact with the LGBTQ community, continually enhancing their practices with an array of resources and knowledge. We maintain close connections with service groups across the wider Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ community, keep up to date on the latest developments in 2SLGBTQIA+ mental health research, and stay actively involved in queer culture.
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You want to work with your therapist to get longterm and lasting outcomes.
- We’re committed to leading clients toward enduring and meaningful change through a comprehensive approach. By addressing present challenges and healing from past traumas, we aim to create lasting improvements that continue for life.
- The clients we’ve seen achieve the most outstanding results are those who participate fully in a therapy session and embrace a wide-ranging, long-term perspective on their mental health. We aim to empower our clients, equipping them with the tools and confidence to build resilience for lifelong mental health maintenance.
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You want a gay therapist in Toronto with lived experience.
- Every queer therapist on our team possesses personal experiences in their areas of expertise, allowing them to walk alongside you with proper understanding and connection with your circumstances. Rest assured, your therapist will provide compassionate support, informed by an in-depth knowledge of the intricacies in emotions and relationships often experienced by 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.
- We believe our therapists’ lived experience must contribute positively to your counselling sessions. As such, our counsellors are involved in ongoing clinical consultation and personal counselling, ensuring they are well-prepared to offer you the best possible support.
When the Centre for Gay Counselling may not be the best fit for you
Our goal is to support as many in the LGBTQ community as possible, understanding the significance of aligning each person’s specific requirements with their therapist. To help you select the best option, we’ve put together some reasons why another therapist might be a more suitable match.
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You’re looking for an in-person queer therapist in Toronto.
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Our counselling services are provided solely via online mediums. We aim to reach and support a wide range of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and we currently do so through teletherapy.
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Research shows that online counselling can be just as effective as in-person psychotherapy. However, teletherapy may not be the right fit for all situations. For example, those experiencing frequent psychosis or suicidal thoughts may find online counselling less suitable. Also, the absence of a safe and private space for psychotherapy sessions could impact the efficacy of online treatment.
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You’re looking for a therapist to make your life instantly perfect.
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We recognize that in difficult moments, the idea of a counsellor who can quickly resolve all your problems is appealing. Although we’d love to provide instant solutions to our clients, effective and lasting psychotherapy outcomes typically require a more gradual process. Based on our experience, a client will achieve the most success when they engage in counselling over a longer duration and consistently apply what they learn in sessions to their daily life.
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You don’t want gay-affirming counselling.
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We understand that folks who experience shame regarding their sexual orientation or gender identity may initially look for a counsellor who echoes the negative perceptions they’ve faced from family or society. In fact, experiencing stigma around being 2SLGBTQIA+ often leads to internalized homophobia. However, research has shown that therapy approaches that treat 2SLGBTQIA+ identities as disorders are so harmful that they are now banned in Canada.
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For people grappling with distress about how they identify or navigating coming out, our counsellors have found that psychotherapy which positively embraces 2SLGBTQIA+ identity is the most effective approach to processing distress.
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FAQs about working with a gay-affirmative therapist in Toronto
How much are therapists in Toronto?
Counselling is a substantial commitment involving your time, effort, and money. Ensuring a solid match between you and your counsellor is crucial for making a wise investment in yourself. Clients can expect counselling in Toronto to cost between $100 to $300 per session, with an average range of $140 to $200 per session.
Depending on your insurance coverage, you can receive counselling services for free or at a reduced rate. After each session, we charge clients through credit card and issue a receipt featuring the counsellor’s professional registration information. This receipt is often eligible for insurance reimbursement. As a result, many clients discover that their counselling sessions are essentially cost-free or very affordable after their insurance provider processes the reimbursement.
Our counsellors also have limited sliding scale spots for clients without insurance coverage who face significant financial barriers.
How do I find a therapist in Toronto?
It can be challenging when you search for “gay-affirmative therapist near me” and are overwhelmed by the idea of looking through all the results to find the right match. Below, we’ve listed some reliable places to seek support from LGBTQ therapists around Toronto:
- The Centre for Gay Counselling
- Inclusive Therapists
- Everywhere is Queer
- The 519
- Rainbow Health Ontario
It can also be confusing seeing all the different terms like Registered Psychotherapists, Registered Psychotherapist Qualifying, Registered Clinical Counsellor, Canadian Certified Counsellor, or Registered Social Worker. The primary distinctions among these mental health professionals lie in their respective educational paths and the regulatory criteria set by their professional associations and colleges. Moreover, if you’re considering using insurance to cover counselling costs, be aware that your policy might cover sessions only with certain types of mental health professionals.
As you look for an LGBT therapist in Toronto, keep in mind that selecting the right counsellor involves more than just considering their professional title or location. It’s also important to find a counsellor who resonates with you personally. Since our counsellors provide online counselling, each of our counsellors can connect with you anywhere in Ontario or throughout Canada.
Why is LGBTQIA+ affirmative counselling important?
Therapy that affirms 2SLGBTQIA+ identities plays a vital role in mitigating the damaging impact of negative societal views and messages concerning gender identity and sexual orientation.
In Canada, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community experiences more extreme mental health issues than straight people. Research has shown that insufficient support and adverse attitudes from society and family play a significant role in the heightened mental health struggles within the LGBTQ community.
Research on 2SLGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy has shown its ability to improve the mental health of LGBTQ individuals. This therapeutic approach offers a nurturing and validating environment, which is often what many 2SLGBTQIA+ people lacked during their earlier years.
Our counsellors can help you build a fulfilling life
We wholeheartedly believe in the intrinsic worth of 2SLGBTQIA+ folks and their right to have fulfilling lives while being their most authentic self. Our dedication is to help you achieve higher self-acceptance through therapy that affirmatively embraces your identity.
We’re continually motivated by our clients. It’s a great privilege for us to support LGBTQ clients as they tackle their challenges, steering them towards more enriching lives.
Ready to start? Click the button below to schedule a free 15 minute consultation call with one of our therapists. This call gives them a chance to better understand what you’re looking for and discuss ways we can offer assistance.