Being seen and supported: Why LGBTQIA+ inclusion matters in allied health
Being seen and supported: Why LGBTQIA+ inclusion matters in allied health
Every person deserves to feel safe, understood and valued—especially in the spaces where they seek support. For many LGBTQIA+ Australians, however, healthcare and support settings can be places of misunderstanding, misgendering or exclusion.
At helpz, we’re committed to changing that.
Why inclusion matters in allied health
Healthcare and therapy should be safe spaces—but for LGBTQIA+ individuals, they too often are not. Research shows that LGBTQIA+ people are more likely to avoid or delay seeking medical or allied health care due to fear of discrimination or past negative experiences.
When care is not inclusive or affirming, people may feel unsafe, unsupported or unseen. And for LGBTQIA+ individuals living with disability, neurodivergence or mental health challenges, this compounds layers of vulnerability.
That’s why affirming care is not optional—it’s essential.
Our commitment to inclusive practice
At helpz, we recognise that people bring many parts of themselves into the room. Gender identity, sexuality, neurodivergence, cultural background, trauma history, disability—all of these are part of the whole person. Our clinicians are trained in neuroaffirming and trauma-informed approaches and are committed to ongoing learning around inclusive practice.
We support LGBTQIA+ participants with a wide range of goals, from exploring independence and communication to managing anxiety or navigating relationships. That might mean a psychologist offering gender-affirming mental health support, or an occupational therapist helping someone feel more confident in everyday activities.
Our commitment includes:
- Respecting pronouns and preferred names
- Creating visibly inclusive spaces (e.g., rainbow badges, inclusive language)
- Continual staff education and reflective practice
- Partnering with LGBTQIA+ organisations where relevant
Understanding intersectionality
We work with many participants whose identities sit at the intersection of LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent and disabled experiences. For example, an autistic non-binary young person may experience sensory overwhelm, social anxiety, and fear of discrimination all at once.
Our job is to listen deeply, collaborate respectfully, and co-design supports that empower—not pathologise. By acknowledging the unique experiences of each person, we create space for genuine connection and progress.
What inclusive care can look like
Inclusive allied health is more than a set of policies. It’s a practice of compassion and curiosity, of checking our assumptions and leading with respect.
For example, our practitioners might:
- Ask and confirm someone’s pronouns, then use them correctly
- Understand how dysphoria might affect sensory needs or social situations
- Help a young person rehearse coming out conversations in a supportive space
- Work with families to create affirming environments at home
- Respect and support someone’s journey—wherever they are on it
Looking ahead: support that celebrates every person
This Pride Month, and every month, we celebrate the LGBTQIA+ people we support—and the courage it takes to show up as yourself in a world that doesn’t always make it easy.
We believe in building systems of support that truly reflect the diversity of the people they serve. That means listening, learning, and growing—together.
Further information & support:
- LGBTIQ+ Health Australia – Peak body for LGBTQIA+ health advocacy
- QLife – Peer support and referral service for LGBTQIA+ people
- TransHub – Transgender health and wellbeing resource by ACON
- Pride Foundation Australia – Supports LGBTQIA+ equity through research and advocacy
References:
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia. (2021). Snapshot of mental health and suicide prevention statistics for LGBTIQ+ people.
Hill, A. O., Bourne, A., McNair, R. et al. (2021). Private lives 3: The health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ people in Australia. La Trobe University.
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