LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapists in West Hartford, CT
Additionally, I have specialized interest and experience working with LGBTQIA+ individuals.
My approach has been described as warm, collaborative, and evidence-based, drawing on methods from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and strength-focused interventions to help clients gain insight, build skills, and feel more confident navigating daily life.
Additionally, I have specialized interest and experience working with LGBTQIA+ individuals.
My approach has been described as warm, collaborative, and evidence-based, drawing on methods from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and strength-focused interventions to help clients gain insight, build skills, and feel more confident navigating daily life.
My practice is affirming of neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ identities.
You may be feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or stuck in patterns that no longer feel aligned with who you are. Many of my clients are insightful, sensitive, and capable, yet struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, attachment wounds, ADHD, or relationship challenges. You may be used to caring for others, masking your needs, or pushing through instead of feeling supported. You’re looking for therapy that feels safe, real, and validating — not judgmental or distant — and you want to better understand yourself, your emotions, and your relationships.
My practice is affirming of neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ identities.
You may be feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or stuck in patterns that no longer feel aligned with who you are. Many of my clients are insightful, sensitive, and capable, yet struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, attachment wounds, ADHD, or relationship challenges. You may be used to caring for others, masking your needs, or pushing through instead of feeling supported. You’re looking for therapy that feels safe, real, and validating — not judgmental or distant — and you want to better understand yourself, your emotions, and your relationships.
As the owner of CT Affirmative Therapy, I have experience with a diverse client base and am passionately committed to working with those in the LGBTQ+ community on issues related to gender and sexuality.
My background and training allow me to to help facilitate change where clients may feel stuck. Whether that is overcoming a specific struggle, repairing relationships, or managing symptoms, I'll work closely with you in developing a unique treatment plan.
As the owner of CT Affirmative Therapy, I have experience with a diverse client base and am passionately committed to working with those in the LGBTQ+ community on issues related to gender and sexuality.
My background and training allow me to to help facilitate change where clients may feel stuck. Whether that is overcoming a specific struggle, repairing relationships, or managing symptoms, I'll work closely with you in developing a unique treatment plan.
I enjoy working with clients who want to work on concerns such as depression, ADHD, anxiety, OCD (ERP-exposure therapy), autism, college/career support, family struggles, ENM, and LGBTQIA+ needs.
Waitlist available- Hi! I’m Shanna (Shay-nah) and I love being a therapist! I have been working in the social work field for over 13 years and have been providing direct therapy for over 11 years. I always prioritize my clients' desires and needs out of treatment and remind my clients I am simply a human helping others with life’s messy struggles, one step at a time. My clients have said they appreciate my honest approach with humor and laughter along the way. We are able to meet virtually, I take the insurances listed here, and I work with ages 10 and up. I love working with college students too!
I enjoy working with clients who want to work on concerns such as depression, ADHD, anxiety, OCD (ERP-exposure therapy), autism, college/career support, family struggles, ENM, and LGBTQIA+ needs.
Waitlist available- Hi! I’m Shanna (Shay-nah) and I love being a therapist! I have been working in the social work field for over 13 years and have been providing direct therapy for over 11 years. I always prioritize my clients' desires and needs out of treatment and remind my clients I am simply a human helping others with life’s messy struggles, one step at a time. My clients have said they appreciate my honest approach with humor and laughter along the way. We are able to meet virtually, I take the insurances listed here, and I work with ages 10 and up. I love working with college students too!
I am dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, and LGBTQ+ individuals through life’s challenges.
I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate based in Newington, Connecticut with over 5 years of experience working with children/adolescents. My work is informed by Emotionally Focused Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy which allow me to tailor our sessions to meet your needs and foster lasting, meaningful change.
I am dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, and LGBTQ+ individuals through life’s challenges.
I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate based in Newington, Connecticut with over 5 years of experience working with children/adolescents. My work is informed by Emotionally Focused Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy which allow me to tailor our sessions to meet your needs and foster lasting, meaningful change.
Are you someone who wants to live a life where you are feeling like all areas of your life are in alignment? Are you looking to make sense of the world around you and your place in it? I consider the therapeutic journey a necessary piece in a person’s overall health and wellness and aim to promote healing of the whole person, including how they operate in their world. In our sessions, expect to feel heard, seen, and understood. I have over a decade of experience in the mental health field and have had the privilege of working with a wide variety of individuals stemming from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
Are you someone who wants to live a life where you are feeling like all areas of your life are in alignment? Are you looking to make sense of the world around you and your place in it? I consider the therapeutic journey a necessary piece in a person’s overall health and wellness and aim to promote healing of the whole person, including how they operate in their world. In our sessions, expect to feel heard, seen, and understood. I have over a decade of experience in the mental health field and have had the privilege of working with a wide variety of individuals stemming from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
FREE Phone Consult. Call me now! Mediation for Divorce and Pre/Post Divorce issues. TELL me your STORY. Mediator with 25 years of experience. Mediation is far less costly than litigation. Relationship and Couples work. Divorce with less lawyering. Trained and highly experienced as a Divorce Mediator, Parenting Coordinator (Judicial/Court approved), Therapist. All things divorce. Don't litigate, MEDIATE! Divorce Document Prep, Custody, Division of Property, Assets/Debts, Visitation/Parenting Plans. Far less costly than litigation! CT Center for Divorce and Healing is here to help YOU. Mediation with care. Reach out to me now
FREE Phone Consult. Call me now! Mediation for Divorce and Pre/Post Divorce issues. TELL me your STORY. Mediator with 25 years of experience. Mediation is far less costly than litigation. Relationship and Couples work. Divorce with less lawyering. Trained and highly experienced as a Divorce Mediator, Parenting Coordinator (Judicial/Court approved), Therapist. All things divorce. Don't litigate, MEDIATE! Divorce Document Prep, Custody, Division of Property, Assets/Debts, Visitation/Parenting Plans. Far less costly than litigation! CT Center for Divorce and Healing is here to help YOU. Mediation with care. Reach out to me now
Seeking support is one of the bravest choices you make. Sirona Counseling is a local therapy group of empathic and caring therapists. Each of us is fully licensed. Finding the right therapist for you can seem overwhelming. We are here to help you find the right fit and get on a path to healing. Therapy is a process and we feel privileged to partner with you on your path. Whether you're looking to sort out some minor issues or work on some deep trauma that's holding you back, reach out to us. We'll respond to you within 24 hours. Please check out our website for more details about us and our therapists.
Seeking support is one of the bravest choices you make. Sirona Counseling is a local therapy group of empathic and caring therapists. Each of us is fully licensed. Finding the right therapist for you can seem overwhelming. We are here to help you find the right fit and get on a path to healing. Therapy is a process and we feel privileged to partner with you on your path. Whether you're looking to sort out some minor issues or work on some deep trauma that's holding you back, reach out to us. We'll respond to you within 24 hours. Please check out our website for more details about us and our therapists.
Are you looking for a Certified Sex Therapist? Someone to truly understands what you are going through? I can help! Finding the right fit for a therapist is so important. You want someone you can trust, open up to about things you would never tell family or friends, and someone who can offer you some useful strategies and feedback. I am an interactive therapist. This means, I will not just sit there and have you talk for 50 minutes without any interactive feedback. Being an interactive therapist, we are having a conversation so there is give and take. We will work together to find strategies and solutions that are practical.
Are you looking for a Certified Sex Therapist? Someone to truly understands what you are going through? I can help! Finding the right fit for a therapist is so important. You want someone you can trust, open up to about things you would never tell family or friends, and someone who can offer you some useful strategies and feedback. I am an interactive therapist. This means, I will not just sit there and have you talk for 50 minutes without any interactive feedback. Being an interactive therapist, we are having a conversation so there is give and take. We will work together to find strategies and solutions that are practical.
I utilize a warm, empathetic, and strength-based approach, helping clients of all ages feel seen, heard, and understood. I draw on my education and experience to help clients navigate life’s complexities with compassion and expertise. I am trained in both Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which allows me to tailor evidence-based strategies to meet each client’s unique needs. My background in Therapeutic Recreation shapes my perspective that therapy can be both a safe space to decompress and a place to actively work toward meaningful goals.
I utilize a warm, empathetic, and strength-based approach, helping clients of all ages feel seen, heard, and understood. I draw on my education and experience to help clients navigate life’s complexities with compassion and expertise. I am trained in both Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which allows me to tailor evidence-based strategies to meet each client’s unique needs. My background in Therapeutic Recreation shapes my perspective that therapy can be both a safe space to decompress and a place to actively work toward meaningful goals.
The LGBTQIA+ community is invited and welcome in my practice.
Whether you are recovering from addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, or family/work/relationship challenges, everyone needs help finding their path. I believe that the 12 steps of recovery and the Internal Family System (IFS) approach can provide that path. I will meet you where you are, and we will develop an action plan to assist you in moving forward and getting traction in your life.
The LGBTQIA+ community is invited and welcome in my practice.
Whether you are recovering from addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, or family/work/relationship challenges, everyone needs help finding their path. I believe that the 12 steps of recovery and the Internal Family System (IFS) approach can provide that path. I will meet you where you are, and we will develop an action plan to assist you in moving forward and getting traction in your life.
Billy
Professional Counselor Associate, LPCA
1 Endorsed
West Hartford, CT 06119
Waitlist for new clients
You’re doing everything right… but something still feels off.
At some level, you already know that.
It’s not that you need more answers. It’s that something in you hasn’t fully been heard yet.
On paper, your life might look fine. You’re showing up, functioning, doing what you’re supposed to do. But internally, something feels off.
Maybe it’s anxiety that won’t fully settle. Maybe you feel disconnected from yourself, your relationships, or the life you’re living. Maybe you’ve outgrown parts of who you used to be, but you’re not sure what comes next.
You’re doing everything right… but something still feels off.
At some level, you already know that.
It’s not that you need more answers. It’s that something in you hasn’t fully been heard yet.
On paper, your life might look fine. You’re showing up, functioning, doing what you’re supposed to do. But internally, something feels off.
Maybe it’s anxiety that won’t fully settle. Maybe you feel disconnected from yourself, your relationships, or the life you’re living. Maybe you’ve outgrown parts of who you used to be, but you’re not sure what comes next.
Clients I’ve worked with longest include those in addiction recovery, couples facing relationship challenges, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals carrying past experiences that still take up space in their minds and lives.
I’ve worked with individuals who’ve felt lost, stuck, or overwhelmed—questioning their relationships, themselves, their emotions, or even their will to keep going. I take a direct yet respectful approach that helps clients uncover inner strengths, gain clarity, and develop new ways of responding to life’s challenges with greater confidence and balance.
Clients I’ve worked with longest include those in addiction recovery, couples facing relationship challenges, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals carrying past experiences that still take up space in their minds and lives.
I’ve worked with individuals who’ve felt lost, stuck, or overwhelmed—questioning their relationships, themselves, their emotions, or even their will to keep going. I take a direct yet respectful approach that helps clients uncover inner strengths, gain clarity, and develop new ways of responding to life’s challenges with greater confidence and balance.
I specialize in treating OCD and anxiety-related disorders, including panic attacks, social anxiety, and agoraphobia, with a strong focus on teens and adults. My training is extensive in evidence-based approaches such as ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) and I-CBT (Inference-Based CBT). I also have deep experience supporting neurodivergent clients, including autism and ADHD. My approach is authentic, collaborative, and focused on meaningful, lasting outcomes.
I specialize in treating OCD and anxiety-related disorders, including panic attacks, social anxiety, and agoraphobia, with a strong focus on teens and adults. My training is extensive in evidence-based approaches such as ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) and I-CBT (Inference-Based CBT). I also have deep experience supporting neurodivergent clients, including autism and ADHD. My approach is authentic, collaborative, and focused on meaningful, lasting outcomes.
Accepting new clients! Are you or a loved one struggling to cope with issues like anxiety, ADHD, addiction, depression, grief and loss, relationships, and trauma? Have these issues led to feelings of isolation, with nowhere to turn? Has it been challenging to find authentic connection with previous providers? At Elevate, our passionate and dedicated clinicians are here to help you and your loved ones become the best version of themselves.
Accepting new clients! Are you or a loved one struggling to cope with issues like anxiety, ADHD, addiction, depression, grief and loss, relationships, and trauma? Have these issues led to feelings of isolation, with nowhere to turn? Has it been challenging to find authentic connection with previous providers? At Elevate, our passionate and dedicated clinicians are here to help you and your loved ones become the best version of themselves.
I also specialize in LGBT+ affirmative therapy.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist (LCP) who is collaborative, compassionate, and action-oriented. I have a great deal of experience in providing treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia), Health Anxiety, and Occupational Stress. I am an integrative clinician with training in various cognitive-behavioral therapies such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-based CBT (MB-CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I'm also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR - Certified) and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART).
I also specialize in LGBT+ affirmative therapy.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist (LCP) who is collaborative, compassionate, and action-oriented. I have a great deal of experience in providing treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia), Health Anxiety, and Occupational Stress. I am an integrative clinician with training in various cognitive-behavioral therapies such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-based CBT (MB-CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I'm also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR - Certified) and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART).
I work with people who are dealing with issues in their lives around anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ issues, and men's issues.
I believe in utilizing a holistic view to address not only the mind, but the physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies to facilitate the path towards one’s healing and growth. I am in the intermediate year of the Somatic Experiencing training and have experience using Internal Family Systems Therapy.
I work with people who are dealing with issues in their lives around anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ issues, and men's issues.
I believe in utilizing a holistic view to address not only the mind, but the physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies to facilitate the path towards one’s healing and growth. I am in the intermediate year of the Somatic Experiencing training and have experience using Internal Family Systems Therapy.
Are you navigating a transition or inner conflict? Are you struggling with something you want to talk about, yet unsure how to move forward? Have anxiety or burnout? My goal is to provide you with a safe, nonjudgmental space to unpack your experiences. I am authentic, driven to guide, and grounded.
Are you navigating a transition or inner conflict? Are you struggling with something you want to talk about, yet unsure how to move forward? Have anxiety or burnout? My goal is to provide you with a safe, nonjudgmental space to unpack your experiences. I am authentic, driven to guide, and grounded.
Welcome!
I work with adults and quirky teens that feel out of place in their environment, are neurodivergent, or just sense their brain is "spicier" than those around them.
I offer diagnostic evaluation, consults, ongoing psychotherapy, and multidisciplinary referrals to navigate life. My goal is for your mind to be seen and understood for its value, rather than labeled as an impairment and masked.
Welcome!
I work with adults and quirky teens that feel out of place in their environment, are neurodivergent, or just sense their brain is "spicier" than those around them.
I offer diagnostic evaluation, consults, ongoing psychotherapy, and multidisciplinary referrals to navigate life. My goal is for your mind to be seen and understood for its value, rather than labeled as an impairment and masked.
Laurie Taylor
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC
2 Endorsed
West Hartford, CT 06117
Waitlist for new clients
In facing life’s challenges, I believe in the importance of asking ourselves, “What’s right with me?” and identifying and building on our strengths. I enjoy accompanying people in exploring themselves with non-judgmental curiosity as they develop greater awareness of their thoughts, feelings, and ways of dealing with whatever life has in store. How have these been influenced by personal experiences growing up and by larger social factors? Gaining this insight allows us to discover what changes might be right for us or to come to accept ourselves just as we are.
In facing life’s challenges, I believe in the importance of asking ourselves, “What’s right with me?” and identifying and building on our strengths. I enjoy accompanying people in exploring themselves with non-judgmental curiosity as they develop greater awareness of their thoughts, feelings, and ways of dealing with whatever life has in store. How have these been influenced by personal experiences growing up and by larger social factors? Gaining this insight allows us to discover what changes might be right for us or to come to accept ourselves just as we are.
See more therapy options for West Hartford
Nearby LGBTQ+ Therapists Searches for West Hartford
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- Farmington
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- Hartford
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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.