LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapists in Berkeley, CA

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.

About three-quarters of my practice is devoted to individual therapy with gay men and counseling for gay couples. The remainder of my therapy hours are devoted to women, the parents of gay men, and others. I specialize in gay and bisexual issues, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, aging, trauma, personal 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 2019 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (and Penguin in the U.K.), is "Out of the Shadows: Reimagining Gay Men's Lives."

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.

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.

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.

Are you struggling with issues of anxiety, panic, phobias, OCD, stress, self-criticism, shyness, or excessive worry? Are your efforts to cope not working or making things worse? My goal in therapy is to help you move out of old, unproductive ways of dealing with problems, and learn more flexible and effective ways of responding to life's challenges. I am an experienced and caring therapist. My style is supportive, interactive and engaged. Together we can work on what is most meaningful to you, and help you move towards those things that you care most deeply about in your life.

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.

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.

You're considering therapy. It is a complex, courageous and oftentimes difficult decision, but sometimes we just know that it's time to try something new. I believe that 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.

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.

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.

Existing as a queer person is hard. I get it! I specialize in somatic and relationship therapy for queer and trans individuals and couples who've been through hard things and feel disconnected, small, and exhausted. Maybe this resonates for you! You want to show up in your relationships as your full, messy, and authentic self. You're done and you're ready for more. More connection with yourself. More connection with your partner(s). More liberation from old wounds. And more joy in the life you're living right now.

As LGBTQ minorities, we often find ourselves living in anothers' world. It seems like we've tried everything but we don't feel like we belong or we are in a safe place to live or work. We often wonder... when is this going to get better? When can I just live my life fully how I am? Sometimes we feel sad and it can be a very lonely place. We can even forget just how special and unique we are because we are so different and surrounded by those who just "don't get it." We really want someone who can connect to us and make our experiences feel validated, reminding us that we are beautiful.

At many junctures in life, we all find ourselves in a place of confusion, hurt and wanting to learn more about ourselves and how to find a way through it. Therapy can be a helpful place for reflection and exploration. Themes that often come up in my work with clients are life transitions, desire to improve relationships and coping with stress/trauma. I view my role as that of facilitator to gently guide you as you gain better understanding of what your needs are. As this process requires great vulnerability and trust, the therapeutic relationship is an essential piece to be able to do this hard and important work.

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.

Hey you! My name is Miranda. Like many, I came to the world of therapy through my own healing journey. I view mental health and resilience as deeply intertwined with social justice — both because injustice creates trauma, and because our determination to heal can elevate both ourselves and our larger communities. In my spare time, I love doting on my two senior kitties, crafting and baking, and living up to stereotypes about “woo-woo” Californians. I am most effective with clients who are recovering from trauma and abuse, including from the effects of childhood events and societal oppression.

I specialize 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.

Navigating through our human journey can be daunting, and everyone can benefit from support along the way. My role as a therapist is to help you gain more insight into the nature of your inner world and a greater perspective of your outer circumstances so that you can become empowered to create the intentional and meaningful life that you truly desire. With compassion and deep presence, we will identify unconscious patterns that are limiting you so that you can gain the awareness and tools needed to create effective changes for yourself.

Are you feeling anxious or on edge? Are you overwhelmed because of past or recent trauma? I know how scary it can be to cope with trauma and anxiety. It can feel devastating, confusing, frustrating, and exhausting; and it impacts every part of you and your life. Together we will work to normalize how you're feeling, understand how trauma and anxiety are manifesting for you, and find ways for you to feel more grounded, empowered, and in control.

I am Kay Guyer, and I’m a queer and genderqueer liberation-focused art therapist based in the bay area, currently serving all of California remotely. I specialize in working with queer and trans teens and adults, and people with disabilities who want to increase their sense of rootedness and agency in order to live vibrantly. I know finding a therapist that matches who you are is hard, and I’m so glad you have arrived here.