OUTthink – Anthony Lekkas Talks On Same-Sex Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a massive problem in our society yet we often don’t stop to think about how domestic violence can impact on LGBT relationships. In a world where male ‘rough and tumble’ can often be normalised, how does domestic violence become understood within a same-sex relationship. In this episode of OUTthink, Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Facilitator, Anthony Lekkas explores what domestic violence is (across emotional and physical) along with the impact that it has on the LGBT community.

About out guest, Anthony Lekkas

Anthony is a qualified and registered counsellor and psychotherapist with the Australian Counselling Association. He has over ten years of experience at working in the not-for-profit sector at providing therapeutic services to young people, adults and couples. Anthony also has experience at facilitating a range of therapeutic and support groups.

Anthony’s professional work experience has given him the privilege to support various relationship circumstances for relationship strengthening, conflict resolution, family separation and family/ domestic violence. Anthony provides a non-judgemental, understanding and safe environment for you to explore your relationship tensions and difficulties in order to arrive at a more equal, compassionate, nurturing and loving bond.

Anthony’s work history has involved working with heterosexual couples as well as LGBTIQ couples. Other than working with adult intimate relationships, he has previously worked with homeless adolescents, as well as young people in the criminal justice system.

The therapeutic and support groups Anthony has/ or currently facilitates includes:

Men’s behaviour change programs (heterosexual relationships)
Men’s behaviour change programs (gay/ bisexual relationships)
Separated dads support groups
Internalised homophobia therapeutic groups
Sexuality, identity and coming out support groups
Team building and empowerment programs

For more information on Anthony and his services, please check out his website.

About the Revisioning Program

Do you find yourself?

Always acting like the ‘boss’
Controlling your partner’s decisions
Blaming your partner or other factors for making you angry
Finding it hard to express your feelings and then exploding
Hurting your partner, friend or family physically or emotionally
Feeling anxious or confused about your behaviour
Finding yourself constantly apologising for your behaviour

Then you might be using relationship violence.

ReVisioning, our men’s behaviour change group may help.

ReVisioning is a group where you as a gay or bisexual man can learn about breaking pattern of violence, abusive or controlling behaviours. The group offers a safe environment where you can explore power and control in your relationships and raise your awareness of the effects your behaviours have on others and yourself.

ReVisioning aims to provide information and support so you are able to challenge yourself to take more responsibility for your behaviours. Together we work to build your confidence and self-control and help you deal with conflict and difficult emotions in your relationships and in other parts of your life without the use of abusive of controlling behaviours.

Call VAC on (03) 9865 6700 for more information.

About OUTthink Podcast

OUTthink is a fortnightly podcast aimed at shining a light into topics of mental health and mental wellbeing relating to the LGBTQIA+ community. As a community, we need to be able to discuss topics that are uniquely related to the gay, lesbian, transgender and the many diverse labels in-between, that impact on our psychological well-being.

The latest OUTthink podcast can be downloaded from Podomatic, subscribe via iTunes or streamed from our Youtube Channel.

You can also find out more about Lawrence Akers and Release Hypnosis at the Release Hypnosis website, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Do you have a story that you would like to share? Then why not contact Lawrence and get in touch. You can also find Lawrence and Release Hypnosis on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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