Forward Therapy

Ash Rehn, Therapist & Medicare Provider. Accredited Mental Health Social Worker. Anxiety, Depression, Adjustment, Religious Trauma, LGBTQ+ Affirmative

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

What happens when you're taught not to trust your own feelings, identity and experience?

My reflections on Leviticus, conversion therapy and religious trauma from a secular therapist's perspective:

https://t.co/xsO0waeHkE

#ReligiousTrauma #ConversionTherapy #Leviticus

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

https://t.co/En0AUgXYUK

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

🖤 Even in the era of PrEP and U=U, an HIV diagnosis can still feel emotionally overwhelming for many gay and bisexual men and their partners.

Read more: Link in replies.

#HIV #GayMen #Chemsex #GayRelationships

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

5/
That’s the trap.

Men aren’t failing masculinity.
They’re trying to perform a moving target.

I’ve written more about this here:
https://t.co/23xdY0aHdi

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

4/
But the message underneath doesn’t change:

"You are not enough yet."

The more men try to prove themselves, the more “enough” keeps moving.

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

3/
So they look for answers.
Low testosterone?
Dopamine?
Discipline?

Supplement culture promises a fix.

More energy. More focus. More drive.

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

2/
Most don’t say it directly.

But it shows up in the gym, in dating, at work, and in constant comparison with other men.

"Am I enough?"

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

1/ 🧵
The idea of a masculinity crisis is everywhere right now, especially in conversations coming out of the Manosphere.

I’m seeing more men quietly wondering if they’re “enough.”

Not masculine enough. Not successful enough. Not desirable enough.

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

Ghostlighting: when a partner disappears, returns, and gaslights you about the whole thing. One of several toxic patterns I explore in a new article on codependent gay relationships.

🔗https://t.co/QvijVjpdlI

#Ghostlighting #GayRelationships #LGBTQMentalHealth

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

@PatMcGorry There’s nothing wrong with asking for help or support. But a diagnosis primarily serves clinicians, not ‘patients’. We need to offer ways of assisting people that are honour capacity and relational understandings instead of pathologising and essentialising human difficulties.

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

Obsessing over someone who’s barely giving you anything back?

Limerence is emotional addiction that thrives on fantasy and unavailability. Break the cycle. Start healing.

🔗 https://t.co/xvo3OxPdwK

#Limerence #RelationshipAddiction #AnxiousAttachment #TelehealthTherapy #ADHD

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

How have you moved Forward in 2025? - https://t.co/jKQ31qGIwG

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

Family events aren’t joyful for everyone.
For some, they bring up old wounds, people pleasing, and the need to stay small to keep the peace.

More here:
https://t.co/A51XpWPFIb

#FamilyTrauma #PeoplePleasing

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

Recent Medicare changes mean that accessing a Mental Health Treatment Plan now depends on having a regular GP, not just any clinic.

For gay men, this matters more than it might seem. Many of us move between doctors practices.

Read more 👉 https://t.co/7wNYjv3VP8

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

Is it ADHD? Or an imposter?

Not everything that looks like ADHD is ADHD. Anxiety, burnout, trauma, sleep loss and nervous system overload can masquerade as attention problems.

Often, the story is more complex. 🔍🔍🔍

https://t.co/4oh1hff2SD

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

Attending the 45thAACBT National Conference here in Fremantle as part of my commitment to continuing professional development. Back in face to face & video sessions from this Monday.
.
#aacbt25 #aacbt25 #forwardtherapy #mentalhealth #lgbtqtherapist🏳️‍🌈 #cbtworks #aasw

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

@dannolan @alexeckermann Sending a 'fall guy' to jail does nothing for those grieving. The Corporation needs to feel it hard: large fines for ALL directors, regulatory oversight, civil legal action and renationalising the telecommunications industry should be activated.

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

I work with religious trauma. With people recovering from religion. No one who has experienced religious trauma should be locked into a non-disclosure agreement. It can re-traumatise survivors #4Corners #plymouthbrethen #cult #auslaw #religioustrauma. https://t.co/ixQLKqDPk1

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

Not all ‘daddy issues’ are trauma. Not all intergenerational desire is a problem. This piece explores shame, trust, erotic preference, and healing for gay men.
👉 https://t.co/UzSLisdHoN

#GayMen #DaddyIssues #Attachment #QueerTherapy

[Forward Therapy @forwardtherapy]

Doing all the emotional work while he fades away?
Ghosting, emotional labour, & mankeeping can leave you anxious, burned out, and blaming yourself. Read more 👇
🔗 https://t.co/EIK2bWZ0VL

#EmotionalLabour #Ghosting #Mankeeping #DatingFatigue #MentalHealth #Love #LoveCounselling