When Being a Woman Becomes an Unfair Obstacle
In an ideal world, gender would never determine how you’re treated, what opportunities you have, or how safe you feel. But for many women, discrimination and harassment are still daily realities — whether it’s a passing comment that undermines you, a pattern of being overlooked for opportunities, or outright harassment at work, in public, or at home.
These experiences are not just frustrating; they can chip away at your confidence, affect your career progression, and take a serious toll on your mental health.
At Hope Therapy & Counselling Services, we provide a confidential, safe environment where you can share your experiences, be heard without judgement, and find ways to rebuild your sense of safety, confidence, and control.
What Gender-Based Discrimination and Harassment Can Look Like
It’s not always overt — and it’s not always easy to name. You might experience:
- Workplace discrimination — being paid less than male colleagues, overlooked for promotion, or excluded from projects.
- Harassment — unwanted comments, attention, or physical contact.
- Sexist attitudes or behaviours — from subtle undermining to open hostility.
- Bias in healthcare — symptoms dismissed or downplayed because of gender.
- Online harassment — abusive messages or targeting via social media.
According to the TUC (2023), more than half of women in the UK have experienced some form of sexual harassment at work, and many more experience gender-based discrimination in other settings.
Gender discrimination and harassment can lead to:
- Anxiety and hypervigilance, especially in certain environments.
- Loss of self-confidence and self-worth.
- Depression or feelings of hopelessness.
- Difficulty trusting others, particularly in professional or authority positions.
- Physical symptoms of stress, such as headaches or disrupted sleep.
For some women, these experiences also trigger or worsen PTSD-like symptoms, particularly when incidents are ongoing or severe.
How Counselling Can Help
Counselling can help you:
- Process what happened in a safe, confidential space.
- Identify and name your experiences so you can make sense of them.
- Develop coping strategies for dealing with ongoing situations.
- Rebuild confidence and self-worth after being undermined or targeted.
- Explore your options for practical next steps, whether in the workplace or personal life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gender Discrimination & Harassment Counselling
Q: Is this the same as legal advice?
No. We offer emotional and psychological support. If you need legal advice, we can help you find appropriate resources alongside counselling.
Q: What if I’m still in the same environment where the harassment happened?
We can work on strategies to help you cope, protect yourself emotionally, and plan safe, practical next steps.
Q: Can you help with workplace-related cases?
Yes. Many of our clients come to us while going through HR processes or employment tribunals. Counselling can be a valuable source of emotional resilience during this time.
Q: Will everything I say be confidential?
Yes, unless there is a safeguarding concern. We adhere to strict professional counselling ethics.