This directory brings together therapists in London offering LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy. You can search by approach, availability and session type to find someone you will not have to explain yourself to first.
What is LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy?
LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy is not a separate model. It means the therapist works from the position that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or otherwise outside the majority is not itself a problem to be solved. What people bring is often the same as anyone else: anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, grief, work stress. The difference is not having to justify or educate as a precondition for being helped.
Some people come specifically about sexuality or gender, whether that is coming out, family reactions, questioning, or navigating transition. Others come about something entirely unrelated and simply want a therapist with whom that part of their life is unremarkable. Both are common reasons to look for an affirmative therapist.
LGBTQ+ therapists in London at a glance
Based on the therapist profiles listed on The Therapist Finder. Fees were last reviewed in July 2026.
- The median fee is £80 a session, with most charging between £70 and £105.
- Fees run from £25 to £210, so it is worth comparing a few profiles rather than assuming a single going rate.
- Most of the therapists listed here are currently accepting new clients, though this changes as people fill up.
What to expect from LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy
A first session is a reasonable place to ask direct questions: what experience the therapist has, whether they have worked with people in a similar position, and how they think about it. A therapist who answers those plainly rather than defensively is usually a good sign.
Beyond that, the therapy proceeds as any other would. Where minority stress is relevant, meaning the accumulated effect of vigilance, rejection or discrimination, a good therapist will recognise it as a real external pressure rather than treating the distress as purely internal. Not every difficulty will relate to sexuality or gender, and it should not be assumed to.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy cost in London?
Across the therapists on the directory offering LGBTQ+ counselling, the median fee is £80 a session and most charge between £70 and £105. Fees run from £25 to £210, so lower cost options do exist.
Does my therapist need to be LGBTQ+ themselves?
Not necessarily, and people differ on this. Some want a therapist with shared experience, others care more about competence and attitude. Both are valid preferences and worth being clear about when you enquire.
Will I have to explain basic terminology?
With an affirmative therapist you should not have to. If you find yourself teaching your therapist the basics, that is a reasonable thing to raise, and a reasonable reason to look elsewhere.
Can therapy help with coming out to family?
Yes. It is one of the most common reasons people seek this kind of therapy. The work usually covers what you want, what you fear, timing, and how to look after yourself whichever way it goes.
Do therapists here work with trans and non-binary clients?
Many do. Some list gender, gender dysphoria or transgender issues specifically among their areas of work. Ask directly about experience when you make contact, particularly if you want support alongside a medical pathway.
Does online therapy work well?
Yes, and it widens your choice considerably beyond who happens to practise near you, which matters when you are looking for a specific kind of understanding.