LGBTQ+ Therapists in Kitchener, ON
See all counsellors in Kitchener
Gavynn McKay
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified
Verified
Pronouns: he/him or they/them. Reaching out can be difficult, but I am glad to see that you did! I would love to support your mental health journey. I am
queer
,
transgender
, autistic, and have ADHD. These intersecting identities shape my experiences and influence my therapy approach. I work with clients from Ontario and Saskatchewan. I aim to create a comfortable space for you to navigate your thoughts and emotions. I own Collaborate Counselling. Where I collaborate with you to find which treatment works best for your unique needs. Visit my Instagram for more information: CollaborateCounselling.
Kitchener, ON N2C
& Online
David Moulton
Registered Psychotherapist, MEd, RP, CCC
Verified
Verified
I work with adults who are feeling stressed: they may worry, panic or feel shy in social situations, may try to be perfect, may feel badly about themselves, or wish to express themselves more effectively, or to set clearer boundaries with others, or to be more assertive. I also work with people from the straight and
LGBTQ
communities who are experiencing challenges in their relationships, with sexuality, sexual orientation, alternative relationships, alternative sexualities, and gender. Many experience these challenges, but some may lose a sense of balance in their lives or the ability to enjoy life and relationships while trying to sort out their concerns.
Chris Spiess
Registered Social Worker, BSW, MSW, RSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I'm a white-passing Metis-Anishinaabe-German 2Spirit/
Trans
/Non-Binary person from Penetanguishene, currently living in Kitchener.
Aaniin/Boozhoo/Willkommen/Hello, Is life feeling hard? Overwhelming? Emotions feel too big, or maybe not at all? Are you Looking for support for your family or a young person? My goal is to work with people in authentic ways. I journey with folks through difficult, hard, messy, and scary situations. I work from a trauma informed, decolonial, Anti-Racist/Anti-Oppression framework. My work centres around supporting folks dealing with trauma and systemic oppression, mental illness, gender identity, sexual orientation, and substance use. I often focus on individual and family work with 2S
Queer
and
Trans
youth and adults
Waitlist for new clients
Luke Bonneville
Registered Social Worker, MSW RSW
Verified
5 Endorsed
Verified
5 Endorsed
Currently, I work with children and teens who find it hard to self-regulate and manage big feelings (anger, anxiety, BPD, ADHD), with
LGBTQ
+ teens and adults experiencing transitions related to gender or sexual orientation, and with adults with mood disorders (anxiety, depression) who want to make changes with their drinking or substance use.
Are you or your child having a difficult time managing overwhelming feelings? Are there parts of yourself that prevent you from feeling open and safe with others? Imagine if you didn’t have to grapple with these challenges alone. In my practice, I help clients work towards becoming their authentic selves, and provide skill-based support to get the most out of life. Holding a Bachelors and Masters degree in social work, I use a combination of play-based therapy, CBT, and DBT to support clients. I’ve been working with children, youth, and families for the past 10 years, in English and French.
Not accepting new clients
Sanctuary Counselling and Training
Registered Social Worker, HBA, MSW, RSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I have worked extensively with diverse populations including
LGBTQ
, multicultural & religious communities, youth, seniors and more.
A Sanctuary is a place of comfort, safety and healing, a refuge from the storms of our life. I aim not only to provide a sanctuary for my clients but to help them build one within themselves. Whatever you are struggling with I can help you to navigate by providing a safe & comforting environment where you can explore your own unique path to healing, growth and change. Together we will address the current issues as well as the relational patterns, experiences and beliefs that wound your sense of belonging and create obstacles to building a life worth living.
Waitlist for new clients
Julie Gosen
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), BA, MA, `RPQ
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
Life is truly filled with so many layers (just like an onion!) which can make it hard to know where to start when it comes to counselling. Hi, I'm Julie (she/her) and I deeply believe in the beauty of connection. Currently, I'm completing my Master of Psychotherapy at Wilfrid Laurier University. My own journey with mental health and being neurodivergent has truly inspired my passion for this field. I work with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, chronic pain, ADHD/ASD, self-esteem, and couples counselling. I am also deeply passionate about working with 2slgbtqia+ individuals and the
queer
community.
Jessie Baynham
Registered Psychotherapist, BASC, MA, RP(Q)
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
As a
queer
-identified woman, I am particularly interested but not exclusively focused on supporting clients within the LGBTQ2S+ community.
(For speed of reply, emails are sent to our admin team) I can help with a wide range of challenges, including times of transition, coping skills, questions around identity and/or sexuality, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, relationship issues and/or divorce/separation, problems with school or work, and parenting challenges. Of utmost importance is establishing a strong therapeutic relationship, as we work deeply to achieve your goals. My own lived experience with trauma, mental health challenges, sexuality/identity and experience of parenthood help inform and support the work we will do together.
Jessi del Rosso
Registered Social Worker, BSW, MSW, RSW
Verified
Verified
I am
queer
-identified, non-monogamous/poly, sex positive and strive to offer an open-minded, comfortable, safe(r) space to process trauma. I offer online Trauma Therapy for folks who have experienced sexual, religious, physical and emotional abuse and/or neglect. Trauma can make us feel powerless. By gaining an understanding of how trauma works, we can take our power back and begin to heal. I believe that healing from trauma means that the intensity and frequency of the trauma symptoms decrease and have less of an impact on our quality of life. You can learn to walk alongside your trauma, instead of against it.
Not accepting new clients
Tess Klaver
Registered Psychotherapist, MA, RP
Verified
Verified
I enjoy working with women,
trans
and non-binary people who have had long-term mental health struggles and a history of trauma. The people I see are often struggling with understanding the impact of childhood wounds, stressful relationships involving difficulty with intimacy or autonomy, coping with the after-effects of sexual violence and/or feeling stuck in emotions such as shame and loneliness. These people may be trying to reconcile their values and desired way of being in the world with intense reactions that seem to come out of the blue. I also do work regarding gender, sexuality and neurodiversity.
Alex Norris
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified
Verified
I’m a
queer
&
trans
person living in Toronto.
We all have stories that we tell about ourselves, our lives, and that others tell about us. Often when we’re struggling, these stories are about feeling powerless, hopeless, scared, and are full of shame and self-doubt. My therapeutic approach explores these narratives, creating space for new, richer stories to emerge. We’ll explore the stories different parts of yourself tell you, drawing you closer to your values, deconstructing your patterns and uncovering your strengths and resiliency to find new paths forward. We will build a deeper understanding of what you've been through, where you are, and where you're going.
Pam Fanjoy
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified
Verified
Pam offers individual therapy for adults, parents or teens looking to make significant life changes or undergoing significant life transitions, including women going through separations, Coming Out,
LGBTQ
issues & career changes.
Specializing in LGBTQ2S+ issues, youth mental health, and helping women undergoing major life transitions, including separation/divorce, Pam is a dynamic & creative social worker with over 25 years of clinical experience. Pam is best known for her compassionate, trauma-informed work with those who want to overcome depression, anxiety, eating disorders and/or complex relationship patterns. Also a Chef, Pam is the founder of Fanjoy Junior Chef Culinary Programs where she works with youth, families & youth agencies finding solutions using cooking as a milieu alternative to traditional counseling. Now offering online sessions globally
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Not accepting new clients
Emma Campbell
Pre-Licensed Professional
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
To my work, I bring a love for the complexity of human nature and experiences and a playful, empathetic approach to practice. I believe we heal best through meaningful and supportive connections with one another, and I am here to walk with you through that process. My work is grounded in anti-oppressive and client-led approaches to care that consider the complex nature of human experience while inviting humour, curiosity, and playfulness to the fold. I approach my practice from a
queer
theoretical, disability justice, and person-first framework so I can focus on you in your entirety.
Night Owl Counseling
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Hello! I offer virtual counseling and other supports for adults and youth aged 12+. As a white, neurodivergent,
trans
, genderqueer pagan with a delayed sleep cycle, I’ve created Night Owl Counseling to be the mutually accessible, anti-oppressive, culturally humble, difference-affirming space I'd always wished for myself. My skillset goes beyond mental health support, because the mind is interconnected with every other part of us. I can also provide life skills coaching, help with accessing other systems, or even develop a long-term plan for your ideal future.
Kitchener, ON N2C
& Online
Kayla Holliday
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
ABIs and Dementia, trauma and attachment, self-esteem, emotion regulation, members of the
LGBTQIA
+ community, depression, anxiety, and more.
I became a social worker because "your life is worth my time.” This is something I live by as I value each and every client I have had the opportunity to work with. I always feel blessed to join clients on their journey towards healing and wellness, and it takes immense bravery to take that first step and reach out for help. I work hard to create an environment that fosters safety and growth, and approach my practice from a strengths-based, anti-racist, collaborative lens. I have also begun the process of becoming trained in Brainspotting and have completed Phases 1 and 2.
Theresa Campbell
Registered Social Worker, RSSW, HBSc
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
From anxiety and depression to relationship challenges, and issues surrounding the BIPOC and
LGBTQ
+ communities, together we will explore/prioritize your needs and find healthy ways of coping. We work with young mothers, women and youth who have experienced or are experiencing sexual violence or domestic violence. We are also passionate about working with individuals with disabilities, and enjoy supporting folks in building and maintaining healthy relationships. We empower self-exploration around race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality in order to become more comfortable and accepting in our own skin.
Victoria Couture
Registered Psychotherapist, MA, RP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I work with children, adolescents, adults, and families dealing with issues including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, life changes, transitions, family conflict, abuse, trauma,
LGBTQ
+ issues, and more.
I aim to create a safe and comfortable space that supports my client’s growth and leads to positive change and overall wellness. My priority is to treat each person with kindness and respect and allow them the space to share openly and be their authentic selves. I am known for my warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental approach and integrative therapy style that is collaborative and person-centered. I incorporate various modalities and interventions to meet my client’s needs, including Brainspotting, Narrative, Solution-Focused, CBT, Play-Based, Mindfulness-Based, and Trauma-Focused approaches.
Waitlist for new clients
Jennifer Henderson
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified
Verified
As a
queer
white femme, my social work practice is rooted in a commitment to social justice, holding space and promoting health and wellness of QTBIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA, and other marginalized communities.
How many of us focus solely on the problems we experience in our lives, while leaving out so much of our narrative, such as our hopes for ourselves, the ways that we survive life's challenges and our commitment to doing the work of healing even when it feels hard? Rather than focusing on “problems/behaviours”, I will explore with you the needs that your coping skills meet, and work on developing more adaptive ways of meeting those same needs. I will work collaboratively with you to explore stuck points, and look at the many different social factors that precipitate and maintain your sense of "stuckness"
Kris Pryke
Psychologist, PhD, CPsych
Verified
Verified
I am a strong supporter of equity and have provided services to the
LGBTQ
community for many years (e.
What you see is what you get when you come to Dr. Kris for assessment, consultation or therapy. I am known for a no-nonsense approach. I have worked in a variety of systems (hospitals, school boards, and mental health facilities) so I am uniquely poised to help you navigate your child/adolescent's learning or mental health issue. Grownups also need help managing their own challenges and so I offer therapy to adults struggling with a variety of general life stressors as well as anxiety, depression and PTSD. I am trauma-informed and offer a variety of modalities.
Alyssa Jodoin
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
And as a member of the
LGBTQIA
+ community, I aim to provide services through an open-minded and supportive lens.
I believe everyone has a unique experience filled with challenges that deserves to be shared. Therapy can be a safe space where you can share your unique story and find comfort knowing you aren’t alone. Exploring and expressing your emotions can be scary, and that’s why I want to provide a safe, comfortable, and judgment-free space for you to learn and grow.
KW Mental Health and Wellness
Registered Psychotherapist, RP, MA
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
Some areas of specialty include: relationship /interpersonal, personality disorders, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, stress, self-harm, suicidal ideation, trauma, gender, identity, and finding balance, difficult life transitions, emotional dysregulation, and
LGBTQ
+.
We offer counselling with professional registered psychotherapists over the phone, online and in-person in Kitchener-Waterloo. Some of our therapists work includes: looking at how the past may be influencing the present, unpacking behaviours, regulating emotions, interpersonal relationships, impulsivity, and increasing mindfulness. We provide support that looks at people as a whole: physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing. Some of our therapists have worked alongside individuals with a range of concerns and have worked specifically with borderline personality disorder, personality disorders, trauma and complex trauma.
See more therapy options for
LGBTQ+ Counsellors
Do LGBTQ-affirmative therapists receive special training?
Yes. Many therapists who practice LGBTQ-affirmative therapy have completed specialised training, either during their degree programme or as continuing education, to learn the core principles of affirmative therapy and how to best support their LGBTQ clients; some have received certifications in LGBTQ-affirmative therapy. Prospective clients should inquire as to a clinician’s background and training to ensure a good fit.
Why might I want to see an LGBTQ-affirming or LGBTQ-friendly therapist?
Queer and gender-non-conforming individuals frequently experience bias and marginalisation in day-to-day life. Working with a therapist who understands these unique challenges, as well as accepts and affirms their identity, can help LGBTQ clients feel safe and supported during therapy—allowing them to better navigate their relationships, mental health, and anything else that they wish to explore during therapy. It is important to note that many therapists can be effective in their work with LGBTQ+ individuals, even in the absence of specific training or background knowledge. The most important component in therapy is the alliance between therapist and client, and this alliance can exist between individuals with very different backgrounds.
How can I find an LGBTQ-friendly therapist?
You may wish to inquire about a therapist’s expertise with your specific challenges or concerns—depression, for example, or relationship strife—as well as their past experiences treating LGBTQ+ clients. Prospective clients may also ask whether a therapist has obtained additional training and/or certification in LGBTQ-affirmative techniques.
How can I inquire about a therapist’s experience with LGBTQ issues?
Prospective clients should feel empowered to directly ask therapists whether they have received training or been certified in LGBTQ-affirming therapy; competent therapists will be happy to explain their educational background and preferred approach(es) to help a client find the best match for them. Clients may also wish to ask how a therapist has treated clients with their particular challenges in the past and what they expect treatment to look like.
Are all the therapists listed in the LGBTQ directory themselves members of the LGBTQ community?
While therapists may choose to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity in their profiles, the LGBTQ directory features not only those who have shared this information but also those who assert specialised training or experience in providing support to queer individuals, couples or families.