LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapists in Oakland-Winchell, Kalamazoo, MI
Jake Chabot
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
3 Endorsed
Oakland-Winchell, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Hello! I want to thank you for taking a step towards finding a therapist that is right for you. It is my belief that everyone can benefit from exploring ways to address, refine, and improve their mental health. In the same way that a physical ailment might stop you from doing something you love, challenges to your mental health can do the same. I have a passion for walking alongside individuals & couples seeking explorative life change, whether it is addressing an old concern, exploring current issues, or simply setting yourself up for success moving forward. It is my goal to empower clients in seeking healing and resilience.
Hello! I want to thank you for taking a step towards finding a therapist that is right for you. It is my belief that everyone can benefit from exploring ways to address, refine, and improve their mental health. In the same way that a physical ailment might stop you from doing something you love, challenges to your mental health can do the same. I have a passion for walking alongside individuals & couples seeking explorative life change, whether it is addressing an old concern, exploring current issues, or simply setting yourself up for success moving forward. It is my goal to empower clients in seeking healing and resilience.
When people have experienced loss, trauma, abuse, chronic stress, addiction or disconnection from others they may develop unhealthy patterns of responding. We can transform many of these patterns through increasing our own awareness. We all carry the answers to our own healing within us. I seek to make working with me accessible and welcoming to all. You are invited to come as you are. I'm here for you when you are feeling stuck, limited by stigma or shame, caught in past hurts, fearful, isolated, or in need of getting back to feeling like you.
When people have experienced loss, trauma, abuse, chronic stress, addiction or disconnection from others they may develop unhealthy patterns of responding. We can transform many of these patterns through increasing our own awareness. We all carry the answers to our own healing within us. I seek to make working with me accessible and welcoming to all. You are invited to come as you are. I'm here for you when you are feeling stuck, limited by stigma or shame, caught in past hurts, fearful, isolated, or in need of getting back to feeling like you.
I am also a safe and experienced space for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Hi, my name is Katie, and this may feel like the millionth profile that you’ve read while trying to find a therapist- it can be incredibly overwhelming. Congrats on getting to this point!
Let’s be honest, life can be a LOT, and having a trusted therapist by your side who first and foremost is thinking about you and your safety and well -being is an invaluable asset. Life is often so heavy, please know you don’t have to carry that weight alone. YOU matter.
With honesty, authenticity, and a compassionate, and non judgemental approach, I will meet you where you are, and we will figure out a path forward together from there.
I am also a safe and experienced space for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Hi, my name is Katie, and this may feel like the millionth profile that you’ve read while trying to find a therapist- it can be incredibly overwhelming. Congrats on getting to this point!
Let’s be honest, life can be a LOT, and having a trusted therapist by your side who first and foremost is thinking about you and your safety and well -being is an invaluable asset. Life is often so heavy, please know you don’t have to carry that weight alone. YOU matter.
With honesty, authenticity, and a compassionate, and non judgemental approach, I will meet you where you are, and we will figure out a path forward together from there.
Life can be hard, it can be even harder when we are stuck to reacting to our own pain with judgmental thoughts , unhelpful behaviors and end up caught in a place we do not want to be.
As a counselor I have had the honor of working with great individuals who have experinced depression, anxiety , trauma and substance use struggles . Helping individuals help themselves work through pain and be able to discover, and more deeply connect to what is important to them is truly meaningful for me.
Life can be hard, it can be even harder when we are stuck to reacting to our own pain with judgmental thoughts , unhelpful behaviors and end up caught in a place we do not want to be.
As a counselor I have had the honor of working with great individuals who have experinced depression, anxiety , trauma and substance use struggles . Helping individuals help themselves work through pain and be able to discover, and more deeply connect to what is important to them is truly meaningful for me.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor in Michigan, with over 20 years of experience. I earned my bachelor’s from Kalamazoo College and my master’s from Michigan State University. I support clients facing depression, anxiety, trauma, identity questions, addiction, and life transitions—especially those in moments of change, like young adults entering new phases or older adults seeking a fresh start. I bring humor, directness, and compassion to my practice.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor in Michigan, with over 20 years of experience. I earned my bachelor’s from Kalamazoo College and my master’s from Michigan State University. I support clients facing depression, anxiety, trauma, identity questions, addiction, and life transitions—especially those in moments of change, like young adults entering new phases or older adults seeking a fresh start. I bring humor, directness, and compassion to my practice.
Dr. LaSonda Wells
Licensed Professional Counselor, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS
1 Endorsed
Oakland-Winchell, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Not accepting new clients
Simply put, I am passionate about helping others find growth and development that inspires continued betterment of self. My approach to counseling is developmental and holistic. As a part of life, struggles will come and are necessary for personal growth and the ability to successfully overcome adversity. I am here to assist you with Your Conversion, Your Change and ultimately Your Transformation! To that end, I am here to help you develop a plan toward your commitment to becoming your best you!
Simply put, I am passionate about helping others find growth and development that inspires continued betterment of self. My approach to counseling is developmental and holistic. As a part of life, struggles will come and are necessary for personal growth and the ability to successfully overcome adversity. I am here to assist you with Your Conversion, Your Change and ultimately Your Transformation! To that end, I am here to help you develop a plan toward your commitment to becoming your best you!
Life is very full. In the mad dash to keep up, we can lose connection with ourselves and our people. This disconnection tends to leave us feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, or even checked-out. Therapy provides an empathic space to feel seen, which helps open doors to a deeper understanding of ourselves, our emotions, and our relationships. It is an opportunity to understand ways our past may be affecting our present experiences—and see the patterns therein. When we understand and empathize with these patterns, we can move toward growth to navigate life feeling more confident and capable.
Life is very full. In the mad dash to keep up, we can lose connection with ourselves and our people. This disconnection tends to leave us feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, or even checked-out. Therapy provides an empathic space to feel seen, which helps open doors to a deeper understanding of ourselves, our emotions, and our relationships. It is an opportunity to understand ways our past may be affecting our present experiences—and see the patterns therein. When we understand and empathize with these patterns, we can move toward growth to navigate life feeling more confident and capable.
Nearby LGBTQ+ Therapists Searches for Oakland-Winchell, Kalamazoo
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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.