Counseling and support
Are you a rainbow (LGBTQIA+) person living in the North Karelia region, or someone close to one, and in need of information or support? In the North Karelia Seta counselling service, you will be assisted by the association’s instructor and sex counsellor, Jemina Markkanen.
Ask more
Jemina Markkanen
Instructor
040 193 7793
jemina@pohjoiskarjalanseta.fi
How it works
Our servixe provides individualized guidance and support for people belonging to sexual and gender minorities in the region, those reflecting on their identity, and their close ones. The counselling is free of charge and can be offered either in person or remotely.
In counselling, you can receive information and conversational support for questions you may be reflecting on in different situations, related for example to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, relationships, or LGBTQ+-specific topics. See more detailed examples of themes the counselling can help with.
If you wish, it is also possible to arrange more goal-oriented sex counselling tailored specifically to your or your shared situation. Sex counselling is individualized support and interactive work, where you can receive information, share thoughts, and reflect on and explore matters related to your identity, sexuality, gender, genderlessness, or relationships in a safe environment. We focus on themes that are important to you, using working methods that you prefer. These can also be reviewed and discussed together during the sessions.
You can attend counselling alone or together with a partner/partners, another close person, or a family member. The number of sessions can range from 1 to 5, and they can be arranged either in person or remotely.
Counselling respects everyone’s right to self-determination and individuality. All discussions are confidential, and you are welcome to talk about anything related to sexuality, gender, identity, or your life and self-image. Everyone is welcome to counselling just as they are.
When booking an appointment, please briefly tell us about yourself and/or your need for discussion.
Counselling offers free appointment-based and drop-in chat services on the Tukinet platform. The counselling chats provide equally accessible, text-based conversational support for all LGBTQ+ people in the region and their close ones, as well as a low-threshold way to get in touch, including the option to remain anonymous.
You can book a personal chat appointment from the available time slots or join the service’s drop-in chat with your concern. Please note: available appointment times can be viewed on Tukinet only when you are logged in, so please create a Tukinet user account of your choice. Do please note, that our English site in Tukinet is under development.
Theme examples
LGBTQIA+ individuals
- sexual orientation, gender identity, and the expression of sexuality or gender
- strengthening your self-image, identity, and self-awareness
- personal boundaries and rights, relationships, and sexuality
- support with coming out and coping with minority stress
- gender dysphoria and gender euphoria, self-compassion, queer joy, and sexual wellbeing
- reflecting on relationship models, relationship structures, and relationship identity
- later-in-life self-discovery and LGBTQ+ aging
- questions related to social and healthcare services, trans healthcare, paths to parenthood, LGBTQIA+ family bureaucracy, peer support, and other LGBTQAI+ services
LGBTQIA+ families and relationships
- couple relationships and polyamorous relationships, as well as other family, love, and close relationships
- aromantic and asexual partnerships and relationships, including queerplatonic relationships
- relationship work and strengthening important connections
- emotions, needs, boundaries, and agreements in relationships
- minority stress in LGBTQAI+ relationships and families
- questions related to peer support, paths to parenthood, rainbow family bureaucracy, and other LGBTQAI+ services
Close to someone in LGBTQIA+?
- your close one’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or way of expressing their sexuality or gender
- finding ways to better support your LGBTQAI+ close one
- having a trans, non-binary, intersex, or gender-questioning child, sibling, or parent in the family
- support around parenting and family life from an LGBTQ+ perspective
- processing your own feelings and talking things through with a professional
- minority stress experienced by people close to LGBTQ+ individuals
- questions about social and healthcare services, trans healthcare, peer support for loved and close ones, and other LGBTQAI+ services
Ask more or book a session
Jemina Markkanen
The counselling work is part of the Rainbow North Karelia project, which will run until summer 2027.