About Sydney Gay Counselling
Trusted LGBTQIA+ Therapy for Over Two Decades
Welcome to Sydney Gay Counselling, my private therapy practice dedicated to improving the lives and relationships of Australian and international LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples.
For more than 20 years, I’ve been privileged to guide members of our community toward authentic, fulfilling relationships and lives.
About Clinton Power
Hi, I’m Clinton Power—a registered clinical counsellor, psychotherapist, and Gestalt therapist who has walked alongside the LGBTQIA+ community for over two decades.
I founded Sydney Gay Counselling with a deep commitment: to create therapy that genuinely understands and celebrates LGBTQIA+ experiences because I’ve lived them myself.
As a gay man, I don’t just theoretically understand the unique challenges you face—I’ve navigated many of them personally. This lived experience, combined with 20+ years of specialised professional training, allows me to create a truly safe, affirming space where your experiences are not just acknowledged but deeply understood.
Since 2003, I’ve dedicated my practice exclusively to serving LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples, helping hundreds of clients transform their relationships and reclaim their authentic selves.
Free 15-Minute Inquiry Call
Not sure if we’re the right fit? I offer a complimentary 15-minute Zoom or phone call to anyone in Australia or overseas. This allows you to ask questions, understand my approach, and see if we connect before committing to a full session.
Why Choose an LGBTQIA+ Specialist With Deep Community Roots
When you’re seeking therapy as an LGBTQIA+ person, having a therapist with genuine community connection makes all the difference. My 20+ years of specialised experience means:
- You won’t waste time educating me about LGBTQIA+ experiences or terminology
- Your identity will never be treated as a “problem” to be fixed
- You’ll work with someone who has witnessed the evolution of our community firsthand
- Your therapy is informed by both clinical expertise AND lived experience
- You gain access to specialised techniques developed specifically for LGBTQIA+ concerns
My deep community involvement—from supporting people with HIV/AIDS as an Ankali volunteer to creating LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy training for other professionals—ensures your therapy is grounded in authentic understanding of our community’s unique needs.
Specialised Experience
Sexual Health & Intimacy
Helping individuals and couples overcome sexual blocks, explore desire differences, and rebuild intimacy. I create a safe space to discuss sensitive topics and develop strategies for a more fulfilling sex life.
Identity & Coming Out
Supporting clients navigating sexual orientation, gender identity, and the coming out process. I work with individuals at any stage of their journey toward authentic self-expression and self-acceptance.
Consensual Non-Monogamy
Specialised support for polyamorous, open, and other non-traditional relationship structures. I help partners navigate the unique challenges of CNM relationships, establish healthy boundaries, and create sustainable agreements.
Relationship Transformation
Working with couples to resolve conflicts, improve communication, and deepen connection. I help partners break destructive patterns and build relationships based on understanding and mutual respect.
Trauma Recovery
Healing from childhood trauma, discrimination, and complex PTSD. I use evidence-based approaches to help clients process past experiences and develop greater resilience and emotional regulation.
Trans & Non-Binary Support
Providing affirming therapy for transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals. I offer support through gender exploration, transition-related issues, and navigating relationships during gender affirmation processes.
Client Experiences
“After having many counselling experiences in my life, Clinton was by far the best. His ability to truly listen and understand what I was going through made all the difference. Unlike previous therapists, he didn’t just offer generic advice but helped me develop practical strategies that actually worked for my specific situation. I felt validated and supported throughout our sessions, and for the first time, I’ve made lasting changes that have significantly improved my life.“
– Individual client
“I found it very helpful to discuss issues openly with such a skilled counsellor who was able to guide my partner and me to resolve the main issue we sought help regarding. We were at a complete stalemate in our relationship when we started. Clinton didn’t waste time with textbook advice – he actually listened and got what we were struggling with. We’ve still got work to do, but at least now we’re talking again instead of just going in circles. I’ll be booking another session when we need it. Thanks for the breakthrough.”
– Couple client
My Therapy Philosophy
I was a professional classical musician for 20 years and played with world-class orchestras in Australia and overseas. As a performer, I was often dealing with performance anxiety, and I developed an interest in the mind and performance psychology. This interest led me to my studies in counselling and psychotherapy.
Before beginning my counselling studies, I was an Ankali emotional support volunteer for people living with HIV/AIDS—an experience that deeply informed my approach to therapy.
My therapy and counselling philosophy is LGBTQIA+-affirmative. This means I believe there is nothing inherently wrong with being gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, or transgender. I believe that emotional, physical, and psychological wellness comes from embracing and accepting your LGBTQIA+ identity.
My approach is grounded in several key principles:
- Honouring individual experience — I recognise that each person’s journey is unique and deserves to be seen and validated
- Relationship-focused healing — I believe that meaningful connections are central to wellbeing
- Holistic perspective — I consider all aspects of a person’s life, not just the presenting issue
- Collaborative partnership — Therapy works best when we work together as equals in the process
- Practical skill-building — I balance emotional exploration with concrete strategies you can apply immediately
These principles inform my work with all clients, regardless of their relationship structure or identity. My goal is to help you live authentically and create relationships that truly nourish and support you.
Specialist in LGBTQIA+ Couples and CNM Relationships
I specialise in working with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and consensually non-monogamous couples. For over two decades I have devoted my career to developing expertise in couples therapy with same-sex relationships and ethically non-monogamous dynamics.
My approach is particularly effective for:
- same-sex couples seeking deeper connection and communication
- individuals and couples working through sexual challenges
- partners navigating polyamory, open relationships, or relationship anarchy
- couples transitioning from monogamy to CNM structures
- established CNM relationships facing communication breakdowns or boundary issues
I can help you create a respectful, loving, and meaningful relationship structure—whether traditional or nontraditional.
When I work with you and your partner(s), I help you learn how to manage conflict effectively, establish clear agreements, create positive relationship patterns, and restore the connection and intimacy in your relationships. My clients appreciate my non-judgemental approach, which honours their unique relationship choices while providing practical tools for growth.
Practice Locations
Online Counselling
I provide secure, confidential therapy via Zoom for clients throughout Australia and internationally. While my practice is named Sydney Gay Counselling, I work with LGBTQIA+ people wherever they are located.
My clients appreciate the convenience of attending sessions from their private space, eliminating travel time and providing maximum flexibility.
Ballina Office (Northern Rivers, NSW)
For those in the Northern Rivers region, I offer in-person sessions at my Ballina office, conveniently located just 20 minutes from Byron Bay.
Address:
Suite 7, Tamar Village
92 Tamar St
Ballina NSW 2478
Professional Background
I am a former faculty member of Jansen Newman Institute of Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy, where I facilitated group therapy for counselling and psychotherapy students and trained them in therapeutic skills.
I used these group therapy skills to offer a gay men’s group therapy program that helped participants reduce their sense of loneliness and isolation while learning new relationship skills.
In 2011, I founded Australia Counselling Directory to help the public find registered counsellors in their local area. From 2013 to 2015, I created and hosted 100 episodes of the Australia Counselling Podcast for mental health professionals.
I’ve been regularly interviewed by the media on LGBTQIA+ issues and relationships. In 2023, I created an online course for therapists called LGBTQIA-Affirmative Therapy: A Compassionate and Inclusive Approach, which has been completed by over 150 mental health professionals worldwide.
Qualifications & Professional Memberships
Qualifications
- Advanced Diploma in Gestalt Therapy (GPTS)
- Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy (JNI)
- Graduate Diploma in Music (Sydney Conservatorium)
- Bachelor of Music (WAPA)
Professional Memberships
- Clinical Member of the Psychotherapists and Counsellors Federation of Australia (PACFA) Reg. No. 21029
- Gestalt Australia & New Zealand (GANZ)
I adhere to these associations’ ethical and professional guidelines and participate in regular clinical supervision and professional development.



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