What we treat
An individual's internal sense of their own gender and/or sexual orientation, encompassing aspects such as attraction, emotional, and romantic preferences.
Signs and symptoms pertaining to gender and sexual identity can be different from person to person. Knowing these signs can help you spot when someone might be struggling with identity issues. Here’s a quick rundown of potential signs:
Gender dysphoria. You don’t feel comfortable or you experience distress with your physical attributes. Because you don’t feel like yourself, you have a strong desire to live as a different gender. You also reject traditional gender roles and expectations associated with the assigned gender.
Emotional and psychological signs. You go through episodes of anxiety, depression, and even isolation.
Difficulty in social settings: You feel like a fish out of the water. There are some social settings where you feel like you don’t fit in. You worry about mingling with people as you avoid running the risk of being judged.
Behavioural signs. You have this desire to change dress, grooming, or appearance to align more closely with one's identified gender.
Social and interpersonal issues. Strained relationships can happen with family, friends, or colleagues due to conflicting beliefs.
Fear of disclosure: Fear or anxiety about disclosing one's gender identity to others.
Feeling confused about your gender and sexual identity can be unsettling. It could give you mixed emotions such as uncertainty, frustration, and even isolation. You're wondering who you are, what you want to do, and how to fit in and please the people around you.
There's a lack of harmony between how you feel internally and what you show to the people in front of you. Putting on a false front on a regular basis is very stressful, and the fear of being judged or rejected adds to the weight.
Gender and sexual identity are fundamental parts of who we are and play a major role in how we shape our sense of self. Gender identity is about how you personally feel and connect with a certain gender, which might be different from what you were assigned at birth. When this doesn’t align, it can lead to something called Gender Dysphoria, where you might feel uncomfortable with your body, the roles society expects, or both.
Even from a young age, you may recall feelings of confusion, asking yourself why you were in the wrong body. For others, this confusion can pop up later in life, sometimes after big milestones like getting married or having kids. This happens because people have been trying to suppress or ignore these feelings, not because their identity has suddenly changed.
Figuring out your gender identity as an adult can be a bit scary, especially with apprehensions about how it might affect your family or job.
In order to understand the triggers and causes of gender and sexual identity, let us explore various factors that could lead to the development and expression of the areas of self.
Biological Factors. Research says that genetics may have a part in gender identity, though experts are still working out the specifics. Additionally, hormonal variations and the environment within the womb can shape how we understand our gender.
Psychological Factors. Early experiences and interactions with your parents or careers can mold how you identify yourself and your place in this world. Family dynamics are also involved.
Internalized Gender Norms. Exposure to societal gender norms and expectations can affect your identity, either supporting or questioning traditional roles.
Personal Experience. You may come to recognise their gender identity through personal reflection and self-discovery, which can be triggered by life experiences or societal interactions.
Gender-Based Discrimination: Experiences of discrimination or harassment related to gender can impact one's understanding and expression of gender identity.
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community have been facing mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, and substance use.
It can be incredibly freeing to take off the mask and live authentically. With the right support, you can embrace your true self and find fulfilment. At Someone.health, our psychologists offer a space to explore your feelings, get advice, and find a way how to talk with your loved ones.
If your family or friends are having a hard time understanding what you’re going through, family therapy can be transformative. We provide a supportive environment where you can all talk things out about gender and sexual identity, helping everyone get on the same page and support each other better.
Psychologists available online
Tell us what matters to you, compare suitable appointments and keep your care details in your patient profile.
Find an appointmentIt will not always be obvious and it could be gradual. But when you start feeling better, then that means that the therapy is working.
You'll also be able to see things more clearly as you progress with your talk therapy. Healing, however, is not always so clear-cut. There will always be ups and downs. If that happens, you can talk to your psychologist about your progress and be open with what you're feeling.
Australia has regulatory bodies to ensure we maintain consistent and high standards across the psychology profession.
Yes. They are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), listed with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and individually selected and monitored by Someone.health's expert clinical team.
Appointments are available immediately
Once you have signed up and we have verified your details, you can choose a psychologist who is available immediately. Our website displays in order of the first available appointment.
Only your GP or a psychiatrist can prescribe medication.
Medication can only be prescribed by medical doctors, which includes general practitioners (GPs) and psychiatrists.
If you need the services of a psychiatrist, please visit Call To Mind, a telehealth service specialising in psychiatry.