About LGBTQ+
LGBTQ+ affirmative professionals offer a safe, respectful space to explore identity, relationships, coming out, minority stress or discrimination, without pathologising sexual orientation or gender identity.
Couples therapists help partners with communication problems, frequent arguments, infidelity, crises or decisions about the future of the relationship. Sessions are usually joint, sometimes combined with individual ones.
Getting mental health care in Brunei
Public health system · Ministry of Health – Psychiatry and Psychology Services
Public mental health care is run by the Ministry of Health, mainly through the Department of Psychiatry at RIPAS Hospital and the Ministry's psychology services. The Clinical Psychology Unit takes referrals from hospitals and private clinics. The Community Psychology Division takes referrals from government health centres and schools and sees patients at health centres by appointment. Ask your nearest health clinic or hospital for a referral. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Allied Health Professions Council of Brunei Darussalam (AHPCBD). Under the Allied Health Professions Order 2017, clinical psychologists and psychologists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists must be registered with the AHPCBD and hold a practising certificate. The Council publishes a directory of registered professionals. Search the official register
- Brunei Medical Board. Doctors, including psychiatrists, are registered with the Brunei Medical Board, which publishes a list of registered medical practitioners. Search the official register
Urgent help in Brunei
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 991 · Ambulance
- 145 · Talian Harapan 145 (Ministry of Health)
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: moh.gov.bn, moh.gov.bn
Signs to look out for
Being LGBTQ+ is not a mental health problem. However, discrimination, rejection, hiding who you are or living in an unsupportive environment can create stress that affects well-being. It may help to seek support if you feel anxious or low, isolated, unsafe, conflicted about your identity, struggling with coming out, facing family rejection, or affected by harassment or violence.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Look for affirmative therapy: psychologists, psychotherapists and other professionals who respect your identity and have training in sexual and gender diversity. Evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and family therapy can be adapted to address minority stress. So-called conversion therapies are harmful and rejected by professional bodies. Peer and community groups can complement professional support.
When to seek urgent help
If you are in immediate danger, have been assaulted, or are being threatened because of your identity, contact your local emergency services. Seek urgent help too if you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or if you have been thrown out of your home and have nowhere safe to go. Specialised LGBTQ+ organisations in many places can offer support and guidance.
What you can do in the meantime
Connect with people and spaces where you can be yourself, whether friends, community groups or trusted online communities. You decide when, how and to whom you come out; your safety comes first. Look for reliable, affirming information sources. Look after sleep, movement and routines, and limit exposure to hostile content online. Ask potential therapists directly about their experience with LGBTQ+ clients.
What does a couples therapist do?
A couples therapist helps two people understand and improve their relationship. Day to day they work with couples on communication, recurring arguments, trust after infidelity, intimacy, life transitions such as parenthood or retirement, and decisions about continuing or separating. They stay neutral, make room for both perspectives, and teach practical skills to talk, listen and repair after conflict.
When to see a couples therapist
Couples therapy makes sense when arguments repeat without resolution, you feel distant or misunderstood, trust has been damaged, sexual or emotional intimacy has changed, or you face a big decision together. It also helps couples who want to separate respectfully. If there is violence, control or fear in the relationship, couples therapy is not appropriate; individual support and safety come first.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Brunei cover psychological care?
Public mental health care is run by the Ministry of Health, mainly through the Department of Psychiatry at RIPAS Hospital and the Ministry's psychology services. The Clinical Psychology Unit takes referrals from hospitals and private clinics. The Community Psychology Division takes referrals from government health centres and schools and sees patients at health centres by appointment. Ask your nearest health clinic or hospital for a referral.
How do I check that a couples therapist is licensed in Brunei?
Allied Health Professions Council of Brunei Darussalam (AHPCBD): Under the Allied Health Professions Order 2017, clinical psychologists and psychologists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists must be registered with the AHPCBD and hold a practising certificate. The Council publishes a directory of registered professionals.