CHRISTOPHER JAMES · NEWTOWN & ONLINE
Gay counselling in Sydney
Space to talk, without holding parts of yourself back.
Perhaps you’re finding relationships difficult, feeling disconnected, comparing yourself to other men or carrying a sense that you’re somehow not enough.
Or perhaps being gay has very little to do with why you’re looking for therapy - you simply want to speak with someone who understands that part of your life.
I’m Christopher James, a gay counsellor and psychotherapist. I work mainly with gay and queer men, and warmly welcome adults across the LGBTIQA+ community.
PACFA Registered Clinical Counsellor · EMDRAA Member
In person in Newtown · Online across Australia
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Affirming therapy for LGBTIQA+ adults
Enquiries are handled through my main practice, Sydney Counsellor.
You can bring your whole self
For some people, seeing a gay therapist offers a sense of shared understanding - less time explaining the context and more space to talk about what matters.
If dating apps, casual sex, particular sexual interests or open relationships are part of your life, you’re welcome to discuss them openly, without judgement. If they aren’t, there’s no expectation that they should be.
There isn’t one way to be gay or queer. I bring lived understanding, alongside curiosity about your individual experiences, relationships and values.
What’s been on your mind?
You may recognise yourself in some of these experiences. You’re also welcome to bring something entirely different.
Relationships, dating and intimacy
Explore attachment, jealousy, betrayal, boundaries, sex and intimacy - including monogamy, open relationships and uncertainty about staying or leaving. Individual therapy gives you space to understand your patterns, needs and choices.
Shame, self-esteem and body image
Comparing your body, age, appearance or success with other men can leave you feeling never enough. Together, we can explore what drives those feelings and work towards a kinder, steadier relationship with yourself.
Identity, coming out and belonging
Space to explore sexuality, gender, coming out, cultural expectations, micro-agressions, family acceptance or finding your place in the community. You don’t need to be out or have a settled label to begin.
Anxiety, trauma and neurodivergence
Support for anxiety, distressing experiences, ADHD, overwhelm and burnout, with therapy tailored to you. Our work can include EMDR where appropriate - you don’t need a diagnosis or to choose an approach before getting in touch.
A little about me
I’m Christopher James, a PACFA Registered Clinical Counsellor & Psychotherapist and EMDRAA member. I’ve worked in private practice since 2016, alongside previous roles in youth mental health, education and community wellbeing.
As a cis gay man, I bring lived understanding alongside my professional training and clinical experience. That doesn’t mean I assume your experiences are the same as mine. I want to understand your life, what matters to you and what you need from therapy.
My style is warm, conversational and thoughtful. There is space for difficult feelings, uncertainty and humour. We can explore deeper patterns while also working on practical changes in your everyday life.
Much of my work is with gay and queer men. I also warmly welcome lesbian, bisexual, trans, non-binary and questioning adults.
Your space to talk - in Newtown or online
In-person sessions take place in my private therapy room in Newtown, in Sydney’s Inner West. It’s a calm, comfortable space within a residential property.
If you prefer to meet from your own space, online appointments are available across Australia. You can also use a mix of in-person and online sessions.
Private therapy, straightforward fees
Individual sessions are $200 for 50 minutes before 5pm, with limited after-hours appointments at $230. Your first appointment includes an additional 15 minutes at no extra charge.
You can contact me directly - no GP referral, diagnosis or Mental Health Treatment Plan is needed.
Sessions are privately funded and Medicare rebates are not available. Medicare-supported appointments can also involve an out-of-pocket gap, depending on the practitioner’s fees and your rebate. It’s worth comparing the final cost rather than the rebate alone.
Your privacy matters
I don’t upload your therapy notes to My Health Record or routinely send reports to your GP. I keep confidential clinical records, and any sharing of information is guided by your consent and applicable legal or safety obligations.
We can discuss confidentiality and its limits before you begin.
Enquiries are handled through my main practice, Sydney Counsellor.
A few questions before we begin
Do I need to be out to come to therapy?
No. You’re welcome whether you’re openly gay, questioning or keeping your sexuality private. You decide what you share and when.
Does therapy have to focus on my sexuality?
No. You may want support with relationships, anxiety, grief, work, ADHD or something else entirely. Your sexuality can be part of the context without becoming the focus.
What happens in the first session?
We’ll talk about what has brought you to therapy, what you would like support with and whether working together feels right. You don’t need to prepare a speech or know where to start.
Ready to talk?
You don’t need to have everything figured out before getting in touch. You’re welcome to ask a question or enquire about a first appointment.
In person in Newtown · Online across Australia
Enquiries are handled through my main practice, Sydney Counsellor.