Brighton LGBTQ Counselling & Psychotherapy

DANA COHEN MNCPS Acc.

CALL 07811 935806
CONTACT ME BY EMAIL

Welcome to Brighton LGBTQ Counselling

We all have times when we need support to navigate stormy seas. The experience of counselling and psychotherapy can be profoundly transformative, enabling us to develop more creative, meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Dana Cohen, LGBTQ Counsellor and Psychotherapist

What I Offer

I am an LGBTQ affirmative counsellor and psychotherapist, with twenty years experience in LGBTQ therapy, advocacy and support services. I offer online counselling and psychotherapy to lesbian, gay, non-binary, trans and queer individuals and couples in Brighton & Hove, and throughout the UK.

I support people from diverse backgrounds, and work with a broad spectrum of identities and ways of being. I provide a safe, confidential space where you can speak freely about whatever is on your heart and mind, and explore your hopes and dreams.

LGBTQ Affirmative Therapy

Those of us who are LGBTQ can need additional support to thrive. Experiences of marginalisation and discrimination can deeply affect how we view ourselves, our lives, and our relationships with others.


This is why finding an LGBTQ therapist can make such a difference. We all need a space where we are welcomed wholeheartedly, where our identity is celebrated, and where we can share our thoughts and feelings without fear or hesitation.

LGBTQ-affirmative therapy, which acknowledges your experiences and validates your feelings, can be profoundly healing. It allows you to explore your thoughts and emotions in a safe environment, rebuilding your sense of self and nurturing your spirit. With LGBTQ-affirmative support, you can find strength in your identity and flourish in your own inimitable way.

How I Work

Therapy with me is a collaborative process. I take time to get to know you: what matters to you, what feels safe, and how we can build a way of working that fits.

I adapt my approach to suit you, and meet you where you are - whether you're at a crossroads, feeling stuck, or simply wanting to understand yourself more deeply. Together, we'll create a space where you can explore what's going on, without judgement or pressure.

I offer support with a wide range of life experiences and challenges, including:-

  • Coming out and navigating questions of identity and belonging;
  • Grief and loss, in all the ways it shows up—losing someone, something, or even a version of yourself;
  • Loneliness, even when surrounded by others, and the ache of disconnection;
  • Low self-esteem, shame, and the inner voice that says you’re not good enough;
  • Neurodivergence, including ADHD, autism, and sensory sensitivity—exploring what it means to live authentically in a world that often misunderstands;
  • Ageing, and the emotional, physical, and relational shifts that come with it;
  • Healing from trauma or abuse, and learning to feel safe in your body and in relationships;
  • Relationship difficulties, whether in romantic partnerships, families, friendships, or work dynamics;
  • Searching for meaning, asking the deeper questions: Who am I now? What do I want? Where do I go from here?


This work is not just about what's painful - it's also about what’s possible. It’s about reconnecting with parts of yourself that may have been hidden or silenced. It’s about finding new ways to cope, to relate, to grow.


At the heart of all this is the relationship we build together. I believe that real change happens in the context of connection - when you feel truly seen, heard, and accepted. That’s what I aim to offer: a steady, compassionate presence as you explore your inner world.


My role is to be alongside you, not to lead or push, but to support your own unfolding. Some people come to therapy for a short while to focus on a particular issue. Others choose to go deeper and stay longer. Either way, we move at your pace.


If you're curious about working together, I’d love to hear from you. You're welcome to reach out, whether you're ready to begin, or just want to ask a few questions to see if this might be the right fit.

Training & Experience

I trained as an integrative therapist in Australia, before moving to the UK. My approach to therapy is flexible, compassionate, and inclusive. I draw from a range of therapeutic models to support each person in a way that feels meaningful and tailored to their experience.


I hold a BA in Literature and Philosophy, a Graduate Diploma in Individual Psychotherapy and Relationship Therapy, and a Master's degree in Women’s Studies. My qualifications reflect my deep interest in people and our stories, our quest for meaning and purpose; and my commitment to social justice.


Since moving to the UK, I've enjoyed working with a variety of LGBTQ individuals and communities. Alongside my private practice, I’ve worked extensively within LGBTQ services. I’ve managed Brighton’s LGBTQ Community Forum, led Relate’s LGBT couple counselling service, and supported clients through my role as a counsellor with Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard. These experiences have deeply informed my practice and strengthened my belief in the importance of safe, affirming spaces where people can explore their stories and feel genuinely seen.


I’m an accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), and I work in accordance with their professional code of ethics. I take this responsibility seriously and strive to offer a therapeutic relationship grounded in trust, empathy, and respect.

Counselling or Psychotherapy?

People often ask about the difference between counselling and psychotherapy, and there isn’t a clear line separating the two. Instead, it can be helpful to imagine them as part of a continuum, with some overlap between them.


Counselling often focuses on specific issues and tends to be shorter-term and more solution-oriented. It can offer support during a challenging time, help you make decisions, or provide clarity and perspective when you’re feeling stuck. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, usually goes deeper and takes place over a longer period. It can involve exploring long-standing patterns, early life experiences, or complex emotional struggles.


You don’t have to know exactly what you need from the outset. Some people come for just a few sessions to gain insight and feel more empowered to move forward. Others choose to work over a longer period, allowing space for deeper exploration and change.


Whatever brings you here, we can start where you are and take things at your pace, and decide together what kind of support feels right for you.

Practicalities

I meet with people online, using Zoom, and have found that online therapy can offer a real sense of connection, comfort, and ease. Many people are surprised by how natural it feels - being in your own space can help you relax and be more present, and enhance the depth and warmth of the therapeutic relationship.


Sessions are £60 for individuals and £80 for couples, and introductory sessions are often available within a week. I also offer a free 20-minute Zoom conversation before you commit to anything. It’s a chance for you to get a feel for me and how I work, ask any questions, and talk a little about what’s bringing you here. There’s no pressure - it’s simply an opportunity to see if you feel comfortable.


I know that reaching out for therapy can be hard. It takes courage to take that first step -especially if you’re feeling vulnerable, uncertain, or unsure of what to expect. Whether this is your first time seeking support or you’ve been in therapy before, I want to make that first contact as easy and relaxed as possible.

Testimonials

“As soon as you meet Dana you know she will give you her full attention, with an intellect to match her compassion and warmth.”

“Thank you so much for enabling me to rediscover the joy and optimism in my life.”

“I would like to thank you for what you have done for me, and for your kindness and support. I feel so much more in control of my life and my own happiness.”

Testimonials

“You really helped me through a very difficult time in my life and I can't thank you enough. I know I would not have got through it without you.”

“You made me feel at ease straight away. You were open and non-judgemental, and I knew I could trust you.”

“You were my rock.”

“Dana brought so much care and compassion to our sessions, and fostered a safe, trustful therapy space in which I could open up and feel truly heard.”

Testimonials

“Dana was kind, human, humorous and genuine. We had a really strong sense that she cared about us and our relationship and was listening intently to what we were saying. She is an exceptionally highly skilled therapist.”

“You saved our relationship!"

"I can't emphasise enough how much positive change I've experienced since our sessions began."

“Dana has exceptional people skills, and offers the very best of what you would expect from a counsellor and psychotherapist.”

Get in touch

I would love to hear from you. Whether you have questions or are ready to book your first session, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact me by email or call me on 07811935806. If I’m unavailable, please leave a message, and I’ll get back to you promptly.

Our first conversation is free, giving us a chance to discuss your needs and how I can best support you. I look forward to connecting with you.

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Data Protection and Privacy Notice

When you contact me, I collect your name, contact details and message and store them on password-protected electronic devices and secure cloud storage services. I use information held about you to offer you a professional counselling and psychotherapy service; to offer suitable appointments; to notify you about changes to your appointments and other changes to my service; and for data analysis and statistical purposes.


You have the right to ask me for a copy of the information held by me in my records. You also have the right to require me to correct any inaccuracies in your information. You may withdraw your consent for me to hold and process your data at any time. However, if you do this while receiving counselling or psychotherapy from me, your counselling would need to end.


I will not share personally identifiable information about you with other organisations or people, except in the following situations:-

Clinical and peer supervision. I regularly review my work with clinical and peer supervisors who are bound by a contract of confidentiality.

Serious Harm. I may share your information with the relevant authorities if I have reason to believe that this may prevent serious harm being caused to you or another person.

Compliance with Law. I may share your information where I am required to by law or by the regulations and other rules to which I am subject.