You deserve support that doesn’t require you to explain who you are.
Our Mindful Youth is a queer-led and LGBTQIA+ affirming practice founded by Tessa Lloyd, a queer mental health occupational therapist. Here, you do not need to educate your therapist, defend your identity, or make yourself easier to understand before receiving support. We meet you exactly as you are through accessible telehealth appointments.
Why queer-led support matters
Identity affects more than labels. Queer-led support can reduce the pressure to explain basic LGBTQIA+ experiences and provide space for nuance, uncertainty and exploration. While every queer person's journey is unique, having a therapist who understands the baseline of your identity allows for deeper, more meaningful work from day one.
How safe someone feels in relationships and environments
Whether they feel able to express themselves and belong
Daily routines, self-care, and participation in community life
The energy required to mask or monitor themselves daily
Confidence in communicating needs and boundaries
Connection with their body and sense of self
What we can explore together
Clients choose what they want to discuss and do not need a clear label, goal or explanation before beginning.
Self & Identity
- Gender, sexuality and identity
- Feeling unsure or questioning
- Identity beyond labels
- Authentic self-expression
- Coming out
Expression & Safety
- Masking and hiding parts of yourself
- Gender expression and clothing
- Personal presentation
- Internalised expectations or shame
Connection
- Belonging and community connection
- Relationships, dating and intimacy
- Communicating boundaries and needs
- Family relationships
Advocacy
- Self-advocacy
- Navigating school, work and healthcare
Tessa’s approach
Queer-led
LGBTQIA+ affirming
Neuroaffirming
Trauma-informed
Strengths-based
Identity-aware
Occupation-focused
Collaborative
Respectful of Autonomy
Tessa considers the relationship between identity, mental health and everyday life—rather than seeing identity as a problem to be treated. Her practice is queer-led, neuroaffirming, and trauma-informed, centering a strengths-based and identity-aware perspective. This occupation-focused approach is collaborative and deeply respectful of individual autonomy and privacy, ensuring that support feels sustainable and relevant to your unique lived experience.
How occupational therapy can help
LGBTQIA+ affirming occupational therapy may support how someone participates in their everyday life, including:
- Self-care and routines
- Relationships and communication
- Education and employment
- Community participation and identity expression
- Meaningful activities, rest, regulation and sustainable living
Clarification: This is mental health occupational therapy and does not replace specialist gender-affirming medical care, psychology, relationship therapy or crisis support.
Who Tessa works with
Tessa primarily supports neurodivergent adolescent girls, young women and gender-diverse people. Please note that this is a mental health focused practice and not a general paediatric or early-childhood occupational therapy service.
Funding Options
- Self-managed or plan-managed NDIS
- Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plans
- GP Chronic Condition Management Plans
- Private payment
- Private health insurance, depending on your level of cover
You can find more detailed information about session costs on our dedicated fees page.