Forward Therapy

24/05/2026

🖤 Even in the era of PrEP and U=U, an HIV diagnosis can still feel emotionally overwhelming for many gay and bis*xual men and their partners.

Over the years I’ve worked with many men adjusting to the emotional impact of HIV, including anxiety, shame, relationship changes, altered intimacy, fear around s*x, and the complicated emotional aftermath that can sometimes follow chems*x or periods of s*xual exploration.

What often gets overlooked is that HIV is rarely experienced as only a medical issue. It can affect identity, relationships, trust, openness, confidence and the way men see themselves and their future.

I’ve written a new article exploring the emotional and relational adjustment that can happen after a partner is diagnosed with HIV, and why supportive, non-judgemental counselling can help.

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An HIV diagnosis can affect intimacy, relationships, s*x and emotional wellbeing for both partners. Supportive counselling and therapy for gay men following an HIV diagnosis.

14/05/2026

Gay men disrupt the hierarchy simply by existing. They expose that masculinity is not fixed.

I recently had the privilege of being interviewed for an article in DNA Magazine Australia about the “manosphere”, masculinity, and the growing impact of online radicalisation and shame-based cultures directed at both women and LGBTQIA+ people.

The article explores how rigid ideas about masculinity can fuel insecurity, domination, homophobia, and violence, while also shaping the pressures many gay men experience around body image, self-worth, perfectionism, and belonging.

After more than 30 years working with gay and q***r men, I continue to see how these cultural pressures affect identity, relationships, shame, intimacy, and mental wellbeing in deeply personal ways.

Read the full article in DNA Magazine.

12/04/2026

The idea of a masculinity crisis is everywhere right now, especially in conversations coming out of the Manosphere.

I’m noticing more men quietly questioning whether they’re “enough”.

Am I masculine enough? Successful enough? Desirable enough?

With the release of 'Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere' on Netflix, more attention is being given to the messages men are absorbing about what it means to be a man.

What I see in practice is not a lack of masculinity. It’s men trying to perform a moving target.

Men start wondering if something is wrong with them.

Low testosterone? Dopamine dysregulation? Lack of discipline? 🤔

Supplement culture steps in with solutions. More energy. More focus. More drive.

But the underlying message doesn’t change: "You are not enough yet".

Over time, this version of masculinity starts to shape relationships. Other people can become competitors, an audience, or tools for validation.

This masculinity crisis has shame loop that can keep men stuck in it. 👉 Read about it here:

https://www.forwardtherapy.com/2026/04/masculinity-crisis/

01/04/2026

Do you recognise any of these patterns in your relationship?

❓Feeling responsible for your partner's emotional state.
❓Automatically accommodating demands you're not comfortable with.
❓Feeling guilty about wanting to leave, even when you know something isn't right.

These are signs of a codependent or enmeshed relationship dynamic, and they're more common in gay male relationships than many people realise.

My latest article explores these patterns honestly and compassionately, including some practical guidance on finding your way forward.

Read it here 👇 🔗

https://www.gaycounsellor.com.au/relationships/codependent-gay-relationship/

For information about fees, Medicare benefits or health insurance benefits see my Fees Page. See my list of available times. To contact me for an appointment, fill in the form below. I work with people all over the world, so include your location and whether you are interested in meeting in my consu...

04/02/2026

Great article about the new NSW laws into coercive control by Schultz in the Sydney Morning Herald today.

Coercive control is when someone uses repeated patterns of physical or non-physical abuse to hurt, scare, intimidate, threaten or control someone. It became a crime in NSW in July 2024.

If you feel trapped in an abusive relationship, help is available. Reach out to a counsellor, support service or NSW Police for guidance and safety planning.

In public the Sydney man was the picture-perfect partner, but behind the scenes was manipulative and controlling.

01/01/2026

Ever been caught in an obsessive loop over someone who barely knows you're alive, or keeps pulling away?

That could be limerence. It's not love. It's an emotional fixation driven by fantasy, unavailability, and the hope that maybe this time they'll love you back.

Limerence can hijack your thoughts, impact your wellbeing, and leave you feeling anxious, isolated, and ashamed.

Limerence often appears with anxious attachment concerns or ADHD. But you can break free from it.

📘 Read now: https://www.lovecounselling.com/trapped-in-limerence-when-obsession-feels-like-love

✨ You don’t have to do it alone. Love Counselling can help you get back to yourself.

24/12/2025

Moving Forward into 2026 - https://mailchi.mp/1c03980a3e29/moving-forward-into-2026

22/12/2025

Family events aren’t joyful for everyone.

For some people, Christmas and other family gatherings bring up old wounds. They’re attended out of obligation rather than excitement. Dates of dread quietly counted down until they’re over.

When families come together, familiar patterns often reappear. People pleasing. Walking on eggshells. Silencing your needs to keep the peace.

These reactions don’t mean something is wrong with you. They often reflect experiences where safety, support, or acceptance were missing.

I’ve written more about this here:

Family Trauma and the Hidden Costs of People Pleasing

https://www.forwardtherapy.com/2025/12/family-trauma-and-the-hidden-costs-of-people-pleasing/

Living with family trauma can lead to people pleasing, shame, and estrangement. Learn how to rebuild self-trust through compassion and support.

15/12/2025

Recent Medicare changes mean that accessing a Mental Health Treatment Plan now depends on having a regular GP, not just any clinic.

For gay men, this matters more than it might seem. Many of us move between practices, delay care, or only see a doctor when something feels urgent. But mental health often shows up first as physical symptoms. Sleep problems. Gut issues. Loss of libido. Anxiety after breakups. Burnout that looks like ADHD.

Continuity of care matters.

I’ve written about why having a regular GP for gay men is so important, and what these changes mean in practice. Read more 👉 https://www.gaycounsellor.com.au/mental-health/your-mental-health-deserves-a-gp-for-gay-men/

27/11/2025

Is it ADHD? Or an imposter?

Not everything that looks like ADHD is ADHD. Anxiety, burnout, trauma, sleep loss and nervous system overload can masquerade as attention problems.

Over the past year, “Is it ADHD?” has become one of the most common questions people bring into my Surry Hills and video clinics. Sometimes the diagnosis fits. Often, the story is more complex. 🔍🔍🔍

I’ve written a new article about the hidden imposters that can sit behind a scattered mind and why broadening the lens matters before rushing to an ADHD diagnosis:

Is it ADHD? Hidden Imposters Behind a Scattered Mind: https://www.forwardtherapy.com/2025/11/is-it-adhd-hidden-imposters-behind-a-scattered-mind/

If you’re questioning your focus, overwhelm or emotional regulation, this piece may help you reflect more gently on what’s really going on.