Find a Mental Health Professional for Identity & Self

About Identity & Self support

Questions of identity, self-worth, and personal meaning are at the heart of many people's experiences in therapy. This category connects you with practitioners who support people navigating gender identity, LGBTQIA+ wellbeing, identity exploration more broadly, low self-esteem, and questions of life purpose and direction. Identity concerns can arise at any life stage. Adolescents and young adults may be working out who they are; adults may face a crisis of purpose following major life changes; and people across all ages may be unlearning internalised shame related to their sexuality, gender, or sense of self. Practitioners in this category work from affirming, inclusive frameworks that respect your experience and avoid pathologising diverse identities. Therapeutic approaches used in this space include narrative therapy, ACT, schema therapy, and affirmative therapy models specifically developed for LGBTQIA+ clients. Medicare rebates are available with a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan where an identity-related concern is affecting your mental health. Telehealth sessions are widely available, which many people in this category find reduces barriers to accessing an affirming practitioner regardless of location.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find an LGBTQIA+-affirming therapist or psychologist in Australia?

You can search this directory and filter for LGBTQIA+ affirming practice or the identity category. Look for practitioners who explicitly mention working with LGBTQIA+ clients in their profile, as this signals both experience and awareness of the specific concerns that arise. It is also reasonable to contact a practitioner before booking to ask about their experience with LGBTQIA+ clients.

Is therapy for identity-related concerns covered by Medicare?

Yes, if your GP assesses that identity-related concerns are significantly affecting your mental health, they can provide a Mental Health Treatment Plan which covers up to 10 Medicare-subsidised sessions per calendar year with an eligible practitioner. Eligible practitioners include registered psychologists, accredited mental health social workers, and mental health occupational therapists. Counsellors and psychotherapists who are not AHPRA-registered are not covered by Medicare, though they can still provide valuable support at private rates.

What kind of therapy helps with low self-esteem and self-worth?

Schema Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and CBT all have good evidence for improving self-esteem and self-worth. Narrative therapy can also be powerful for helping people rewrite unhelpful stories they hold about themselves. The right approach depends on your specific history and goals, and a skilled therapist will work with you to identify what is likely to be most effective.