LGBTQ+ Therapists in San Jose, CA
See all therapists in San Jose
Albert Pignataro
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
Hello! Welcome to the private practice of Albert Pignataro, MFT. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist (MFC 53486) practicing in Willow Glen, San Jose. I have over 9 years of experience providing therapy to adults, youth and families in individual therapy, couples counseling, and group therapy. I work with hetero and
LGBTQ
+ clients, and I normally work with adults and young adults (ages 18-25+). I provide a safe and non-judgmental therapeutic setting to my clients to explore what moves them to reach for healing and growth.
LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy
Counselor, LMFT, LPCC, LCSW, AMFT, ACSW
Verified
Verified
Expansive Therapy is an
LGBTQ
affirming therapy practice with locations in New York City and Los Angeles. We offer online therapy to individuals and couples anywhere in New York State and California State. We have a diverse team of therapists offering a wide variety of specialties, and we match you with a therapist who can meet your needs and availability. Our mission at Expansive Therapy is to create a safe space for the
LGBTQ
community to heal and grow, to expand the things that are working, and to encourage personal freedom.
Andy Gonzalez
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified
Verified
I specialize in working with
LGBTQ
+ issues and persons using an affirming and multicultural approach.
Offering Saturday morning appointments - Clients in my practice are Teens, Young Adults, and Adults. They feel unhappy, lonely, unsatisfied, irritable, lost, stuck, overwhelmed, unmotivated, inauthentic, and hopeless. They may use terms such as depressed, stressed, anxious, neurodivergent, traumatized, and grieving. Clients seek to heal and grow. They seek to unlearn unconscious and unhelpful habits in hopes of avoiding creating unnecessary suffering (life's got that covered). They come to therapy because what's "wrong" isn't so easy to see. Psychic and emotional injuries, although difficult to see, are just as worthy of healing.
Nathan Brandon
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
Additionally, I’m passionate about empowering and helping
LGBTQ
+ individuals.
Therapy is not one-size-fits-all. I provide personalized support and the help you need to overcome your current emotional or situational challenges. I work with you so you can overcome your problems and develop healthy, effective coping strategies that you can use throughout your life. We will get to the source of your problems and help you develop the skills and strategies you need to handle your life’s challenges. I believe that the adversities we experience in life can be great opportunities for personal growth and transformation.
Anthony Gabriel Le
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MS, AMFT, APCC
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
Hello, my name is Anthony! As a
queer
, second-generation Vietnamese-Chinese therapist, I am passionate about providing a compassionate and warm space for clients to enter center-stage as the main character of their own life.
Oftentimes, we are told to just be our genuine self, but that is so hard to do when societal standards, cultural norms, familial expectations set limits and boxes for us to fit into as well. These restrictions and boundaries only then muffle and silence the voices we have inside of us. This silencing and censoring can develop internal messages within us that we are unloveable, never enough, and not worthy of being authentically you. Feelings of anxiousness, nervousness, sadness, and loneliness may arise alongside these thoughts which make it difficult to get a good night's rest or enjoy your favorite hobbies.
Eric Sullivan
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, LMFT
Verified
8 Endorsed
Verified
8 Endorsed
You’re
LGBTQ
+ and have your shit together (for the most part), but you want more. You're tired of feeling stuck and are over just day-dreaming about how things could be better without any actual progress. You value therapy as an essential part of your regular self-care (same here - love my therapist) and are here for the built-in support and accountability. You’re ready to push past fear and take action because you know you have the power to create positive change, and I can help you get there. Because as a proud
gay
person and certified
LGBTQ
+ therapist, I know that our community has limitless potential to live our best lives!
Wonbin Jung
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, LMFTA, AMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
As a
queer
Asian therapist, I know too well how difficult it is to find a therapist who understands your experience. I am here to make the process a bit easier for you. I work with couples who come from
LGBTQIA
+ and/or Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) communities, especially those who struggle with sex, intimacy, trust, and communication issues with their partners. I also work with
queer
and AAPI individuals who are experiencing low self-esteem and shame due to intersectional identities, relationship status, and intergenerational trauma.
Not accepting new clients
Patricia S Dolan
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I specialize in helping people who know what changes need to be made, but who struggle with knowing how to make them: whether it is with food, relationships, self-harm or addictions. My method is primarily skills based: I accept what you bring in, and then we work together toward change. I am experienced with mood, anxiety and thought disorders. I'm passionate about working with eating disorders, body image and
LGBTQ
+ issues. I work well with adults, adolescents and groups. I strongly believe that developing a solid and collaborative therapeutic relationship is crucial to healing.
Katie DiNapoli
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, EMDR, BSP, ART, TIST
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Do you feel stuck and worried you may not be able to find help? Maybe you have a habit or behavior you want to stop or change but can't seem to make more progress. Perhaps you're unhappy, anxious, or feel crazy sometimes. By the time many folks seek therapy for themselves or their child they have been hurting for a long time. Finding someone you can work well with is often very difficult. Love working with toddlers, kids, & teens. Am especially passionate about work with
LGBTQ
+ folx.
Erin Lundy
Pre-Licensed Professional, BA
Verified
Verified
Do you suffer with anxiety and depression? Are you
LGBTQIA
looking to improve your relationships and achieve another level of intimacy? Are you a caregiver looking for balance? I understand the toll on caregivers, parents and long term relationships. I enjoy working with couples who want to detangle challenges and attain new levels of ease and intimacy.
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.
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Not accepting new clients
Steven M. Schoser, MA, LPCC
Counselor, MA, LPCC, NCC, CCMHC, HS-BCP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
The following is a sample of the clients that I serve in my counseling practice:
LGBTQ
adolescents and adults (individuals, couples) * Adolescents whom are struggling at home, in school, and in the community * Those struggling with depression, anxiety, substance use, and other mental health issues.
Feeling like no one understands what you are going through and wondering where to turn? When dealing with life's struggles, no matter how big or small, we often wish we could find someone who understands, is supportive, takes the time to listen, and who will help create a safe and supportive environment and build a trusting relationship to help navigate through life's twists and turns.
Gaylesta, Psych Assn for Gender & Sexual Diversity
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, PsyD, LMFT, LCSW, LPCC
Verified
Verified
WELCOME to Gaylesta: The Psychotherapist Association for Gender and Sexual Diversity.
Our members provide mental health services including therapist referrals, education, and consultation. We offer a wide range of specializations, allowing us to serve as a unique resource both the
LGBTQ
communities and to other service providers.
Explore our site to find a therapist, learn more about us, or become a valued member.
Office is near:
San Jose, CA 95101 
Dayna Eng
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
Verified
The majority of my clients identify as
LGBTQIA
+ between the ages of 16-35, I also work with individuals of all ages. Clients tend to be navigating mental health symptoms like low mood and motivation, panic, thought spirals and dissociation. Common issues are related to independent living skills (financial, work, educational stressors), interpersonal skills (social anxiety, family of origin, immigration and cultural stressors), and self-esteem. Symptoms are frequently related to existing within mainstream expectations of cisgender, white, heteropatriarchy, able-bodied, financially privileged, capitalist culture.
Joy Linn
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified
Verified
My goal is to facilitate your experience of healing. I have a holistic approach and can tailor my approach to fit your unique mental health needs. I am a compassionate and caring listener. I will also challenge you to change and grow. I provide gender-affirming, culturally-sensitive, weight inclusive and trauma-informed care. I have advanced experience in multiple areas, including eating disorder recovery,
LGBTQIA
+ identity exploration, trauma recovery and harm reduction. I also am quite good at supporting treatment-resistant anxiety and depression, as well as psychotic and dissociative disorders.
Misty Johnson
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, MSW, WGS
Verified
6 Endorsed
Verified
6 Endorsed
I also specialize in working with the
queer
community,
trans
community, kink community, as well as working with poly, polyamory, and ethically non-monogamous ( ENM ) folks.
Challenges with communication? Struggles with sex or intimacy? Are you questioning or exploring gender and sexuality? I am here to support you and offer you tools and a place to process your current experience. I provide a safe space to explore who you are becoming and to discern old thought patterns that are no longer of service. I provide a healing space free of judgement and offer tools that you can immediately integrate into your current experience. I will collaborate with you and work with the intersections of your unique experience. I also offer ketamine-assisted therapy ie: psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
River Ornellas
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
Welcome! As a therapist I am passionate about providing gender-affirming care to individual adults who are
transgender
, non-binary, gender-expansive, or gender-questioning. I also support individuals with experiences of
queer
sexualities and have specialized training in grief and loss. My priority is to create a supportive and safe space to help you discover the path toward living your authentic life in a safe way. Whether that means exploring gender or sexuality in an affirming space, finding the right resources, developing tools for coping with difficult experiences, or healing from past emotional wounds, I am here to help.
Office is near:
San Jose, CA 95101 & Online
Caci B Tassano
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Whether you struggle with situational challenges related to career, relationship conflicts, a recent life change, grief, immigration, or traumatic experiences related to your
LGBTQIA
+ identity, together, we will find ways to support you to adapt to and possibly resolve them.
Accepting new clients as of 11/1/2022.Are you struggling with relationships, work stress, or feeling isolated? Often people who come to see me for therapy are facing combined challenges including anxiety, depression and work stress. In therapy you and I will develop a therapeutic partnership and a collaborative, supportive space to help you reach your goals.
Samer Fawaz
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified
8 Endorsed
Verified
8 Endorsed
My main areas of focus include the
queer
community, working professionals, performers, artists, and couples of all types (
gay
, straight, polyamorous, etc).
Therapy changed my life. In fact, it led me to become a therapist. Professionally, I had reached a level of success as a business owner that kept me financially comfortable. Unfortunately, my "success" left me feeling depressed and anxious because I felt that I lacked purpose. I was lost in addictions and reckless behaviors which further galvanized my sadness and kept me feeling disconnected from how to make meaningful change. Therapy allowed me to become more connected with myself.
Dr. Christina M. Charlotin
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I specialize in working with adults who experience depression, anxiety disorders (agoraphobia, panic disorder, social anxiety, specific phobias), OCD, insomnia, chronic pain, relationship challenges, heartbreak, phase-of-life stressors, procrastination behaviors &
LGBTQ
/Race related challenges.
In our work together, my intention is to help you break away from the maladaptive thought patterns, emotions, actions, and external circumstances that keep you stuck in an unwanted experience. My goal is to help you create progress towards the life you do want for yourself. I’ll want to understand the changes you’d like to see in yourself. With this in mind, I’ll want to identify the behaviors you’d like to demonstrate, the lasting emotions you’d like to feel, and the outcomes you’d like to see present themselves in your life. With that information, we'll set the overall goals for therapy. Now providing Psychedelic Assisted Therapy.
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.