LGBTQ+ Therapists in Santa Cruz, CA
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HH & Co.
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
LGBTQ
Experienced and Identified.
HH & Co. is a therapy practice with EMDR available, located in Santa Cruz, CA. We believe that growth and sustained change happens when people experience genuineness (openness, self-disclosure), acceptance (being seen with unconditional positive regard), and empathy (being listened to and understood). Holly is a general practitioner who treats people, not problems, so we encourage you to come just as you are. Together, we will work to define your goals, identify thoughts and behaviors that may may hinder the achievement of these goals, track progress, and tap into your inner strength and resilience.
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.
Olivia Stagnaro
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I work especially with Latiné, Jewish, and/or
queer
individuals to navigate the obstacles unique to these lived experiences.
Identity issues can cause intense feelings of isolation preventing so many people from living the way that they yearn to. This is especially true when there are layers of addiction, difficult relational patterns and past traumas. We become so much stronger when we face these things with an unconditionally present ally.
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.
Billie (Melissa) Stultz
Associate Clinical Social Worker, ACSW
Verified
Verified
I am passionate about serving
queer
and
trans
communities and am kink and poly affirming.
My practice is guided by a belief in the healing power of being with. I bring compassionate witness and a warm, collaborative, relational approach that is informed by psychodynamic, somatic, feminist, narrative, attachment, and trauma theories. A deep commitment to social justice, and attunement to the impacts of social and systemic oppression, grounds my work.
Laurén O'Brien
Pre-Licensed Professional, ASW
Verified
Verified
I identify as
queer
and Health At Every Size aligned, and strive to always provide a safe, inclusive, and gender-affirming space.
I appreciate the time you are taking to find a clinician, as this relationship is essential to addressing your therapy goals. I work with clients across the lifespan, including preteens, teens, adults, couples, and families. My clients are often at a crossroads, deciding the next steps regarding life transitions, changing behaviors that are no longer serving them, or desiring to deepen their relationship with their selves and those close to them. I consider it my role to act as a consultant and guide as you utilize your strengths, skills, and resources to build the life you have envisioned.
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.
Sharon Papo
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Accepting New Clients for online therapy. I specialize in supporting adolescents and adults around issues of gender identity, sexuality, and sexual orientation. I am part of the
LGBTQ
community and have worked with the
LGBTQ
(
lesbian
,
gay
,
bisexual
,
transgender
queer
and questioning) community for over 20 years.
Rachel Fader
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
As a
queer
therapist firmly rooted in a culturally humble framework, I have a passion for serving culturally diverse groups.
Starting the therapy process takes enormous courage, and I sincerely applaud you for taking this first step. If you are ready to demystify your suffering and find liberation from the burdens that limit your quality of life, you're in the right place. I most enjoy supporting my clients in exploring and making meaning of their past experiences in order to live a much more fulfilling present and future. I will help you draw upon your own internal strengths to become the best possible version of yourself, live your best possible life, and empower you to maintain that life ongoing.
Rory Valentine Diller
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
I have over 10 years of experience working with Trauma Survivors, including folks wrestling with Life crisis, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, substance use and addiction recovery,
LGBTQ
issues, bullying, domestic violence, child abuse, sexual trauma, and anger management.
Hello, I'm Rory. I am nonjudgemental, down to Earth, kind-hearted, and supportive. Have you survived something awful and need help healing and moving on? Does the past haunt you and block you from success and healthy relationships? Do you feel frustrated with yourself and want to change your patterns? Are you going through back to back crises and just need help navigating through the stress and uncertainty?
Kayla (Lou) Ursa
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
If you would like to do this work with a
queer
and neurodiversity-affirming therapist, I might be a good fit.
Life's demands leave you feeling overwhelmed, depressed, and burned out. You don’t know who you are because you have spent your life just trying to get by. Despite having strong values, you have internalized societal standards and become your biggest critic. Sometimes you feel so different from people around you, you wonder if you will ever fit in or feel understood. Past pain and traumas continue to influence daily life, keeping you stuck in old patterns, fears, and wounds. The climate crisis and life under neoliberal capitalism leave you feeling understandably anxious and depressed.
15 Second Videos
Nicole Minor- Expansive Therapy
Patricia S Dolan
Sharon Papo
Rory Valentine Diller
LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy
Bianca Filion
Katharina Schoellhammer
Sage Swiatek
Kristen M. VanKlootwyk
Ellen Garfield, LMFT. Specializing in EMDR
Hope Therapy
Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Jennifer Holt
Gregory Rowe-Pasos
Jordan Davis
Gregg A Moore
Self Discovery Jungian Psychotherapy
Liza Smith
Family Service Agency of the Central Coast
Angela Vincent
Daniel Perry Dryden
Barbara Lutz
Bethany Sala
G. Katie Dashtban
Dana Ingersoll
J. Sarah MacEwan
Lisa Marie Howe
Krista L (Durbin) Ehrenfried
Eileen Retzloff
Ivan W Foote
Amanda Cortez
Joshua Lowe
Jen Sims
Jenna E Wolfson
Yesenia Y. Flores
Cat Bilski
Kristen Maria O'Shea
Rami Vissell
Chiara V. Cabiglio
Summer Sessions Counseling
Tsunami Turner
Inga Knudson
Sebastian Beca
Leah Sue Weiss
Jennifer V Kulka
Rebecca Zalona
Xander Abrams
Lili Nakita Kroutilina
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT, MA, LMP
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
I specialize in supporting
LGBTQIA
+ community, BIPOC, immigrants and first generation, highly sensitive, creatives/ artists, alternative relationships/lifestyles, and professionals.
Are you feeling stuck or overwhelmed in your life? Lost your sense of self and confidence? Confused by how to set boundaries and build healthy relationships? I am here for you! I can help you understand what is happening in your life and how you can heal, grow, and transform to be living the life you want. I have a trauma-informed, integrative style based on mindfulness, somatic psychology, ecotherapy, expressive arts, humanistic and transpersonal psychology, neuroscience, spirituality, and my background in holistic health, nutrition, massage, and fitness. I have a gentle yet directive, relational style.
LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy
LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, APCC, AMFT
Verified
Verified
We welcome all sexual and gender identities and make
LGBTQ
affirming space a priority.
Expansive Therapy is a bicoastal psychotherapy practice with locations in New York City and Los Angeles. We offer online therapy to individuals, couples, and families anywhere in New York State and California State. We have a diverse team of therapists offering a wide variety of modalities and specialties, and we match you with a provider who meets your needs and availability. We are a trauma informed practice; our therapists had direct clinical supervision with world famous trauma expert Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk (The Body Keeps The Score).
Waitlist for new clients
Anthony Ross
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
As a good friend of mine often says, “it’s hard to be human.” We are given all kinds of messages that life “should” be certain ways and that we “should” be happy 100% of the time. I think this causes us much more suffering than necessary. We wouldn’t be who we are today without the challenges we have faced. How do we make the best of these challenges, grow, and move forward with more strength, resiliency, and joy? Welcome, my background began in health education and morphed into community mental health for many years, predominantly working with
queer
and
trans
youth, their families, and communities.
Megan Hernandez
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified
Verified
Megan leads with hope and curiosity to empower her clients to grow into their best selves. She works collaboratively with clients in order to understand them as a whole person, not just their problems. Megan believes patience, authenticity, and transparency are essential to build trust and safety in the therapeutic relationship. Megan specializes in working with adults and youth who identify as neurodivergent and/or on the autism spectrum, as well as
LGBTQ
+ individuals. Megan works with clients who are coping with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and relationship struggles.
Ali Palisca
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I am skilled working with Couples, Anxiety, Communication, Anger, Sexuality, Trauma, Self-Esteem, Gender, Relationship Conflict (family, partner, spouse),
LGBTQ
Issues, Stress, Career and Life Goals or Change.
I work with individuals and couples to untangle from patterns of drama, criticism, and codependency. I teach clients how to turn arguments into proactive conversations with win-win solutions. Our work together can include healing past hurts and trauma, feeling more sexually connected, and creating positive life changes. I am most interested in supporting my clients in finding relief from suffering and being truly happy.
Waitlist for new clients
Ride The Wave Recovery
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPCC, LCPC, LPC, LMHC, CGP
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
We proudly serve
trans
, non-binary and gender diverse clients, kinky, poly, and neurodivergent clients, clients of various sexual and romantic orientations, as well as those from a wide array of cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, and racial backgrounds.
Ride The Wave Recovery can serve clients in greater Santa Cruz, CA; Seattle/Tacoma, WA; and Chicago, IL. RtW offers solutions-oriented group and individual therapy to clients of all genders and sexualities living with ADHD and AuDHD and recovering from eating disorders, substance misuse and relational/attachment disorders.
Dominique Oster
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT, APCC
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Therapy isn’t just for those in crisis, and things do not have to be bad to get better. As a sex & relationship therapist, I know that we all contain multitudes! You are allowed to be grateful for your life AND want more! More Connection. Pleasure. Joy. Your desires are valid and undeserving of shame or judgment. I believe that our bodies have wisdom beyond what our minds may acknowledge, and unlocking the ways our deepest selves have learned to store/apply our legacies of trauma, indoctrination, and shame can open the gates to experiencing pleasure and wholeness in the present. I am unreservedly kink,
queer
, SW & BIPOC affirming.
E. Arlyn Osborne
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, #109608
Verified
Verified
I am also experienced working with anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief, aging, maintaining recovery, parenting,
LGBTQ
+ concerns, attachment, and relationships, among other issues and concerns.
I believe the brain constantly seeks healing and balance. In my experience, no matter what happens to a person, the deepest parts of oneself hold wisdom and strengths. Once we accept, appreciate, and access more of what’s inside of us, we can grow into the life we want and into our unique selves. I work from a client-centered, culturally competent, and strengths-based perspective. I meet you where you are; we identify your needs, perspectives, wisdom, and strengths, and collaborate on the goals you set for therapy. I provide a non-judgmental therapeutic space
Bianca Filion
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, MA, BC-DMT, LPCC
Verified
Verified
I am
LGBTQIA
+ affirming and supporting.
Hello! I’m so glad you found me. My approach to therapy is to engage the whole person in order to integrate the mind and body. Movement in therapy can range from focusing on breath to self-lead movement expression, and can be used with any age and ability. Artistic expression is used to deepen the therapeutic work through the creative process. I view my clients holistically and utilize the knowledge I gain regarding their life history and their social atmosphere to guide them in therapy. I work collaboratively with my clients to make meaningful change, respecting my clients’ individuality and autonomy.
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.