LGBTQ+ Therapists in Berkeley, CA
See all therapists in Berkeley
Caitlin Finnell
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified
7 Endorsed
Verified
7 Endorsed
While I work with a diversity of people, I specialize in working with
LGBTQ
individuals, couples and youth. As a Marriage and Family psychotherapist, I seek to help my clients find their way through the hardships that life can bring. I believe in the healing power of the therapeutic relationship as well as each individual having the power to heal themselves. I believe in a strength based, solution focused approach to therapy and work with my clients to not only overcome their current circumstances but to also develop tools and strategies that they can use moving forward in their lives.
Jesse Whittle-Utter
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
To be human is to have thoughts, feelings and behaviors that don't make sense to our rational self. That can leave us feeling trapped in cycles of experience we never chose and don't understand. What we call "symptoms" (anxiety, stress, insomnia, reactivity, depression, etc.) are really just teachers that we don't yet know how to listen to. I'll work with you to transform your symptoms into meaningful and lasting change. I work with folks from all walks of life, and specialize in working with
gay
men and the larger
LGBTQ
+ community, to alleviate anxiety, work stress, relationship issues, questions of meaning, and life transitions.
Percy Raynier Castellanos
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
If you are seeking a
Queer
, bilingual (English/Spanish), multicultural therapist of color with whom you can discuss the issues listed in my profile and website, then you are welcome to contact me to see if we are a good fit.
I am drawn to support clients heal the anxiety, guilt and shame from trauma. This may include trauma related to abuse, bullying, accidents, harassment, religious impositions, discrimination, and more. My clients often want to feel less anxiety, better manage their triggers, enjoy sexual intercourse with their partner(s), and redefine themselves from the trauma they experienced. Grounding techniques, challenging learned beliefs, asserting needs, and living more for self, are common themes in my practice and essential for post-traumatic growth. Integrating identities (e.g. race, ethnicity, sexuality, etc.) is common in my practice.
Audie Vera
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I enjoy working with a diverse range of people who are dealing with a broad spectrum of life experiences. I particularly love working with people inside the
LGBTQ
+ family. I help people navigate through many things including life transitions, anxiety, relationship dynamics and family of origin conflict. My ideal client is someone that is ready to engage in therapy with openness, curiosity, and vulnerability. You are ready to build a therapeutic collaboration to explore, process, and challenge yourself for growth. You are interested in learning ways to do or see things, or are curious about why things happen as they do.
Waitlist for new clients
Ida Ahmadi
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified
Verified
I utilize an embodied & relational approach that is curious, compassionate, strength-based and trauma-informed to help you achieve your goals. I attune to issues of systemic oppression such as racism, patriarchy, capitalism, colonization, ableism, fatphobia, and other forms of structural violence and its related traumas. As a
queer
, non-binary child of immigrants, I'm familiar with bi-cultural experience. I'm sex & sex work positive, and experienced in working with kink/BDSM & non-monogamy/polyamory. I'm a good fit for folks who want to experience greater fulfillment, pleasure, and, satisfaction in their relationships & life.
Waitlist for new clients
Walt Odets
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
A majority of my practice is devoted to individual therapy with
gay
men, and some counseling for
gay
couples. I specialize in
gay
,
bisexual
and
trans
issues, as well as depression, anxiety, aging, trauma, isolation, relationships, intimacy, sex, HIV, and survivor issues. I have written extensively about the psychological and social issues of
gay
men and
gay
communities. My most recent book, released in June of 2019 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (and Penguin Random House in the U.K.), is "Out of the Shadows: Reimagining
Gay
Men's Lives."
Miles Murch
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
I work with
gay
men and
queer
people who would like to feel more empowered, more at ease, and more connected in their lives and relationships! It’s not easy to walk your own path and find safety, belonging, and purpose in this world. If you identify as
LGBTQIA
, you didn’t grow up with good models for
queer
relationships. Even if your life is "perfect on paper," it might be a challenge to find trust, deepen intimacy, set boundaries, stay centered, and go after the life you want.
Not accepting new clients
Aaron Testard
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, LPCC
Verified
7 Endorsed
Verified
7 Endorsed
I have several years of experience specializing in the areas of sexuality, gender,
LGBT
issues, addiction, and chronic illness, with both adults and adolescents.
Do you feel lost, questioning who you are or where you're going with no easy answers? Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn, we hit a bottom, or we just realize that something in us is different...or something must change. Such times of confusion and crisis are often the meeting point for our work together. They are also openings to self-discovery and real change. I listen deeply for what you want, develop a relationship of trust, and work WITH you to establish the clarity and direction you need.
John Hanig
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
I specialize in working with
queer
,
gay
,
bisexual
, &
transgender
adults & adolescents in the San Francisco Bay Area. I am most passionate about providing advocacy for cultural and economic diversity in our community and serving
LGBTQ
+ people experiencing depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Engaging in therapy is more important than ever especially in response to our current political climate and recent backlash of conservative values showing incredible disrespect toward the
LGBTQ
community and throwing extra stress at immigrant populations and communities of Color.
Lucas Dangler
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I provide teletherapy to clients in Pennsylvania and California (I am a licensed therapist in both states). I specialize in working with adults (18-65) who are dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, substance use, and a range of issues related to interpersonal relationships and
LGBTQ
+ identity. Each client brings unique experiences, goals, strengths, questions, and problems to the process of therapy. Therefore, therapy constantly presents new opportunities for change, learning about oneself and others, and cultivating compassion for oneself and others.
Niku (Nick) Ashok Shah
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
As a
queer
, South Asian American therapist, I specialize in providing body-centered psychodynamic therapy to
Queer
,
Trans
, Non-Binary, people of color and immigrants of the diasporas. With a relational and somatic approach in treatment, I can help you manage depression, anxiety, overwhelm, worry, stress and dis-ease. My hope is to help you heal trauma, manage dissociation, build insight around how your mind works and compassionately transform unhelpful internalized messages. I specialize in working with adults, children and teens.
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Ab (Abigail) Krumbein
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate
Verified
Verified
I work with
queer
,
trans
, and nonbinary people, healers, activists, postpartum people, parents, twins, and those longing for deeper relationships with themselves and others.
We all deserve to feel safe and connected. Sometimes, overwhelming things happen that prevent us from feeling safe and settled in the world. In therapy, we support the strengths that have helped you survive and grow your capacity to move towards the life you long for. Whatever you are experiencing, be that anxiety, depression, or the pain of trauma or oppression, together we will collaborate to tend to what hurts and to nurture the vitality that exists inside you.
Nicole Minor- Expansive Therapy
Counselor, AMFT
Verified
Verified
Seeking therapy can be the first step on a healing journey and I hope to walk alongside you as you pursue personal growth. I believe that therapy can be a great way to access some of the tools that are already within us but that we may need help employing. I understand the importance of intersectionality as a
queer
Black woman and therapist and can understand how necessary it is to acknowledge the impact of intersecting identities when working with clients. I use an integrative approach to help clients feel empowered to re-frame their narrative and identify and process complex emotions.
Katya Waitzkin
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
I specialize in anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, couples work, and
Queer
&
LGBTQIA
+ issues.
My clients often show up to therapy because of a need for meaningful change in their lives, and a desire to feel happier and more fulfilled. You may find yourself struggling with self-doubt and a harsh, critical inner voice; feeling stuck, sad, far away, and disconnected; navigating a new or difficult circumstance such as death of a loved one; or wanting help to reduce conflict and improve communication with your partner. I see therapy as an opportunity for transformative insight, creativity, self-expression, and healing. It is a place to process and move past the painful experience that stick with us and hold us back.
Bishop W Howard IV
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, ACSW
Verified
Verified
My ideal clients are individuals age 16+ who want support navigating anxiety, depression, childhood trauma, identity, family, relationships (monogamy/non-monogamy/poly), sexuality/desire (kink friendly), racial/multicultural stress, and everyday life stressors. I supporting clients no matter if you are seasoned at engaging in therapy or looking to take this journey for the first time. My approach is client centered and structured to meet you where you are, as we work together to build the best journey for your needs. My specialty is serving
Queer
/
Trans
BIPOC individuals.
Nicole Minor- Expansive Therapy
Counselor, AMFT
Verified
Verified
Seeking therapy can be the first step on a healing journey and I hope to walk alongside you as you pursue personal growth. I believe that therapy can be a great way to access some of the tools that are already within us but that we may need help employing. I understand the importance of intersectionality as a
queer
Black woman and therapist and can understand how necessary it is to acknowledge the impact of intersecting identities when working with clients. I use an integrative approach to help clients feel empowered to re-frame their narrative and identify and process complex emotions.
Dr. Richard Espinoza
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
My shortterm treatment offers an intensive, 12-week program specific for male and masc-presenting folks within the
LGBTQ
+ community.
Above all, I love my work as a psychologist. This profession allows me to act as both scientist and artist, and I take joy from watching people evolve in their lives. Blending science & art, therapy is a unique process where we talk over events of your life, some in the distant past, and some happening currently.
Robert H Hopcke
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified
11 Endorsed
Verified
11 Endorsed
For three decades I have been privileged as a marriage and family therapist to make a difference in people's lives. Though I am most known for being a Jungian-oriented therapist and author, my training in pastoral counseling and spiritual direction, my experience in long-term psychodynamic treatment, and my long-standing interest in all the many forms and expressions of human sexuality, as an "out"
gay
therapist and activist, are areas of expertise that come together in my work to help clients find a way to be their deepest, healthiest and most authentic selves.
Shannon Dubach
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I also specialize in work with non-traditional families: blended/step-parent families,
LGBTQ
-parent families, single-parent families, and families going through separation or divorce.
You're considering therapy. It is often a complicated and difficult decision but sometimes we just know that it's time to try something new. I believe taking the courageous step to begin therapy helps individuals and families address challenges that keep us from our full potential. Whether you are suffering from anxiety or depression, relationship issues or isolation, financial preoccupations, or a desire for a new career, you know it is time to work to make things better. I am a psychologist providing flexible, relational therapy to help you to address a range of issues. My style is warm, compassionate, and down-to-earth.
Michael Marsman, Jungian Analyst & Psychotherapist
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
That said, much of my work is with those in the
LGBTQ
, recovery and spiritual (eastern and western) communities.
We seek therapy because at some level we imagine that life could be better. We all suffer in different ways and suffering is universal, but it is precisely that suffering that leads us into a process of discovering how our deepest selves want to be expressed in the world and then to find the inner resources to live that out. In its truest sense, psychotherapy – which means “tending to the soul” – is not only concerned with alleviating symptoms, resolving issues, or adapting to life’s demands (though these are important), but ultimately with living lives that are more joyful, creative and free.
See more therapy options for
LGBTQ+ Therapists
Do LGBTQ-affirmative therapists receive special training?
Yes. Many therapists who practice LGBTQ-affirmative therapy have completed specialized training, either during their degree program 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 marginalization 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 specialized training or experience in providing support to queer individuals, couples or families.