For information on our counselling service click on the options below. If you have any questions, feel free to email us. Who knows, your question might be common enough to make it into the list of FAQ's below!

counselling faq

• can glwa help someone like me?
• what if I am under-age?
• what can I talk about?
• who will answer if I ring?
• can I ask for a male or female counsellor?
• how confidential is it?
• how much does it cost?
• what is the phone number?
• when can I call?

Probably.

GLWA provide a peer-based telephone counselling, referral and information service to ALL people dealing with sexuality and/or gender issues and people impacted upon by those dealing with issues arising from sexuality and/or gender. This includes, for example:

1. gay men
2. lesbian women
3. bisexual men or women
4. transgender men or women
5. intersex men or women
6. ANYONE whether male or female who is confused/worried/unsure about their sexuality
7. family members or friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex men or women
8. people who work with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex men or women (eg teacher, boss, welfare worker, etc)

No problem.

There are different laws about the age of consent in each Australian state, but it is NOT illegal to talk about sexuality ... no matter what your age.

You CAN talk with a GLWA counsellor if you are a young person.

Almost anything that relates to sexuality.

Whether you need to talk through your own sexual feelings or identity, or you are trying to understand the orientation of a loved one or friend, we are here to provide support and information.

When you ring us the phone will be answered by a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex person.

This is because GLWA is a peer telephone counselling service and counsellors must identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex to volunteer and train as a telephone counsellor.

No worries.

No matter what your gender - male or female or intersex - you are welcome to ask to speak to a male or female counsellor.

Some male callers only want to talk to a male counsellor whereas others will feel more comfortable talking to a female counsellor. Many female callers will only want to talk with a female counsellor but they can also request to speak to a male counsellor if they choose.

You just need to tell the counsellor who answers your call!

Very.

Your counsellor will speak to you from a private counselling room tucked away in our inner city office. We dont ask for you name or any identifying details and we dont keep files on you.

Hardly anything. Maybe nothing.

Our telephone counselling service is a free service to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals and their families/friends. However there may be some telephone charges.

If you ring the 07 number from the Brisbane metropolitan area you will be charged the cost of a local call (excepting calls made from mobile phones). If you ring the 1800 number from outside the Brisbane metropolitan area the call is free (excepting calls made from mobile phones).

Phone (07) 3017 1717 from Brisbane or FREECALL 1800 18 4527 for people living outside Brisbane.

Generally every day between 7:00pm and 10:00pm.

If you do not get an answer, it may be because the counsellor is on another call. Please dont give up - try again later.