National Coming Out Day, October 11
The modern LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) movement began with a riot in the Stonewall gay and transgender bar in New York City in 1969. The expression “coming out of the closet” was born. Forty years later the riot and its aftermath still affect legislative and social progress in the UK, such as our new civil partnership laws and the upcoming Equality Bill.
WPF Therapy has been at the forefront on sexuality issues since the early seventies. WPF Therapy was one of the first therapy organisations in the UK to develop an equal opportunities policy for
lesbians and gay men. And it continues to strive to offer therapy and training services that are sensitive to the needs of LGBT people.
As well as offering our generic services (individual and group analytic therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy) for LGBT people, WPF Therapy also provides a specialist weekly psychotherapy group for gay men. WPF Therapy provides groups and services that are inclusive, ethnically and culturally diverse and welcomes clients that come from all walks of life.
The Gay Men's Psychotherapy Group is five years old. It can support gay men in dealing with the issues that usually bring people to therapy such as relationship problems, lack of confidence, loss and bereavement, depression and anxiety. However it can also help with other issues such as forming relationships, coming out to family and friends, sex and HIV (whether positive or negative). Like all psychotherapy groups, over time there is a slowly changing membership. As group members complete their therapy new members join. Groups meet for 90 minutes and usually have about six to eight group members.
The lives of LGBT people have improved immeasurably since 1969. WPF therapy has played its part in contributing to this progress. But even in 2009 coming out is as important, and sometimes as traumatic, as ever.
If you are interested in knowing more about the Gay Men's Psychotherapy Group or WPF Therapy's other psychotherapy groups please contact the Clinical Administration Office on 020 7378 2002.
If you are interested in joining a Lesbian Women's Psychotherapy Group or other LGBT Psychotherapy Groups we would like to hear from you. Please contact the Clinical Administration Office on 020 7378 2002 or email Counselling@wpf.org.uk.
