Transgender Therapists in Whittier, Minneapolis, MN
Hi, I'm Lauren. I specialize in helping individuals heal from eating disorders, trauma, anxiety, and depression through a compassionate, whole-person approach. I believe recovery is about more than reducing symptoms, it's about building a new relationship with yourself that is rooted in authenticity, flexibility, and compassion. My work is grounded in dignity, mindfulness, and evidence-based care. I strive to create a space where clients feel safe, respected, and empowered to explore their experiences without shame or judgment.
Hi, I'm Lauren. I specialize in helping individuals heal from eating disorders, trauma, anxiety, and depression through a compassionate, whole-person approach. I believe recovery is about more than reducing symptoms, it's about building a new relationship with yourself that is rooted in authenticity, flexibility, and compassion. My work is grounded in dignity, mindfulness, and evidence-based care. I strive to create a space where clients feel safe, respected, and empowered to explore their experiences without shame or judgment.
I have over 39 years experience providing therapeutic services to clients of all ages and with a variety of mental disorders. I am passionate about engaging with clients to help them find their highest potential of health and wholeness. I use a client-centered approach, letting the client determine their own path, identifying strengths and roadblocks, searching for more adaptive coping strategies. I am eager to be your personal coach. I will join you on your journey of examining where you are today and how to reach your aspirations. Together we can examine relationships, professional as well as spiritual goals.
I have over 39 years experience providing therapeutic services to clients of all ages and with a variety of mental disorders. I am passionate about engaging with clients to help them find their highest potential of health and wholeness. I use a client-centered approach, letting the client determine their own path, identifying strengths and roadblocks, searching for more adaptive coping strategies. I am eager to be your personal coach. I will join you on your journey of examining where you are today and how to reach your aspirations. Together we can examine relationships, professional as well as spiritual goals.
I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with extensive experience working with couples, families, adolescents and individuals. I have expertise working with family conflict, DUI related issues, sexuality, sexual behavior problems, addictions, and crisis intervention. Other areas of interest and experience include family conflict, divorce, depression, anxiety, developmental disabilities and parenting issues.
I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with extensive experience working with couples, families, adolescents and individuals. I have expertise working with family conflict, DUI related issues, sexuality, sexual behavior problems, addictions, and crisis intervention. Other areas of interest and experience include family conflict, divorce, depression, anxiety, developmental disabilities and parenting issues.
Therapy is a creative, collaborative relationship. As a therapist passionate about process, I am here to collaborate with you to cultivate the life you want to live. I am not here to fix you; you are not broken. We will work together to find new ways for you to be in relationship with the problems and the joys in your life. If you are ready to step into a curious, process-oriented journey, then I am here to offer a safe, supportive space to do just that. Let’s get curious about how to create more room for pleasure, joy, and connection as well as for the uncomfortable, tender parts of your life.
Therapy is a creative, collaborative relationship. As a therapist passionate about process, I am here to collaborate with you to cultivate the life you want to live. I am not here to fix you; you are not broken. We will work together to find new ways for you to be in relationship with the problems and the joys in your life. If you are ready to step into a curious, process-oriented journey, then I am here to offer a safe, supportive space to do just that. Let’s get curious about how to create more room for pleasure, joy, and connection as well as for the uncomfortable, tender parts of your life.
Helena LaFave
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LICSW
Whittier, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Waitlist for new clients
I am happy to provide letters for gender-affirming care and surgeries.
My areas of clinical expertise are trauma with a special focus on religious trauma, queer identity, and anxiety and depression. I utilize parts work, which is the idea that we are all made up of different parts of ourselves. During our sessions, I prioritize curiosity around who these parts are and what makes them feel safe.
I am happy to provide letters for gender-affirming care and surgeries.
My areas of clinical expertise are trauma with a special focus on religious trauma, queer identity, and anxiety and depression. I utilize parts work, which is the idea that we are all made up of different parts of ourselves. During our sessions, I prioritize curiosity around who these parts are and what makes them feel safe.
I work with individuals and couples who seek therapy for anxiety, depression, stress, adjusting to life changes, and improving self-esteem. I will collaborate with you to reduce symptoms and gain insights, promoting self-acceptance, empowered growth, and positive change. I provide support with processing current and past stressors and life transitions, including relationship challenges, grief/loss, divorce, emotional abuse, substance misuse, complex trauma, and intersectional oppression. I am experienced working with adults and adolescents.
I work with individuals and couples who seek therapy for anxiety, depression, stress, adjusting to life changes, and improving self-esteem. I will collaborate with you to reduce symptoms and gain insights, promoting self-acceptance, empowered growth, and positive change. I provide support with processing current and past stressors and life transitions, including relationship challenges, grief/loss, divorce, emotional abuse, substance misuse, complex trauma, and intersectional oppression. I am experienced working with adults and adolescents.
Nearby Transgender Therapists Searches for Whittier, Minneapolis
- Calhoun
- Central
- East Isles
- Loring Park
- Lowry Hill
- Lowry Hill East
- Phillips
- Stevens Square
- Uptown
- Ventura Village
Nearby Searches for Whittier, Minneapolis
- Calhoun
- Central
- East Isles
- Elliot Park
- Loring Park
- Lowry Hill
- Lowry Hill East
- Lyndale
- Phillips
- Stevens Square
- Uptown
- Ventura Village
Transgender Therapists
As a gender-diverse individual, why might I want to see a therapist who is also gender diverse?
A trans or gender-diverse client may want to see a therapist who is also trans or gender diverse because the client may feel safer sharing their experiences and more confident that the therapist will understand, validate, and support them. But trans or gender-diverse clients can also benefit from therapy with cisgender therapists; this is a personal decision based on the connection between the client and the therapist, and if that connection is strong, therapy will be successful.
What if I cannot find a therapist who shares my gender identity?
Therapy can still be effective if a therapist does not share a client’s gender identity; a large body of research indicates that the most important factor in successful therapy is the therapeutic alliance. A therapist can also be interviewed for sensitivity and competence on gender identity and expression to ensure they possess appropriate knowledge and skills. Many therapists have excellent training and extensive experience working with gender-diverse clients, and that expertise can be invaluable despite a therapist not sharing the same firsthand experiences.
How can I recognize a good therapist for working with gender-diverse clients?
An experienced therapist should be able to help clients explore their gender identity and expression, alleviate discomfort related to their gender identity, treat mental health challenges and trauma, address existing relationships and communication with family members and loved ones, and determine the next steps pertaining to nonmedical or medical gender-affirming interventions. To recognize a good therapist, clients can ask about these topics and explore their comfort and connection with the clinician.
How might I inquire about a therapist’s experience working with transgender clients?
Clients should feel comfortable asking therapists directly about their experience working with transgender or gender-diverse clientele. For example, clients may ask about the therapist’s training and education with regard to gender identity, how many trans clients they’ve worked with in the past, and what sorts of matters were discussed. You may wish to inquire how a therapist specifically supports the needs of transgender clients or clients questioning their gender identity. A good clinician who is nonetheless not the right fit for you is often happy to make referrals to others based on the concerns you articulate in a preliminary conversation.