LGBTQ+ Therapists in Durham, NC
See all therapists in DurhamNot accepting new clients
Phil Horn
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, MPH, LCSW-A
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I also work with
LGBTQ
individuals navigating sexuality and life as a
queer
person, students, young adults and professionals, and older adults transitioning into a new stage of life.
I believe we all have deep strengths and strong values that guide everything we do. Many times, life tries to get in the way, but we can choose to be mindful and present to the positives and negatives in life. How do we become more mindful? It's important to pause sometimes and decide what we care about, and if our actions take us closer to or further away from where we want to go. I'm here to help you discover what is meaningful for you, and how to move toward what you want in life.
Not accepting new clients
Nick Harper
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LAC
Verified
Verified
I am an openly
gay
man, trauma-informed, and sex-positive Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)/psychotherapist with over ten years of experience specializing in clinical work with people living with HIV, individuals struggling with substance use disorders, as well as working with a diverse range of relationship styles.
Do you struggle to understand or name your feelings, needs, or desires? Would you like a better relationship with yourself and others? Maybe you’re looking for an open, safe, and positive space to heal and grow from past trauma? Inclusive Therapy and Consulting Services LLC strives to create access to compassionate and quality psychotherapy services for the
LGBTQIA
+ community, individuals living with HIV, and their supports.
Luke Hirst
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSWA
Verified
Verified
I especially enjoy working with
LGBTQIA
+ and neurodivergent folks and people in nontraditional relationship structures.
Maybe you want a space to process changes that are happening or you are struggling to figure out the next right steps to create the life you want. You want to live your life confidently, as the fullest version of yourself, but you are feeling alone or ashamed or overwhelmed. Or maybe you want to feel more connected to your partner, but you keep leaving interactions with them feeling like they just aren’t getting where you’re coming from. It's so easy to feel like you're stuck in the same patterns.
Not accepting new clients
WaterYourFire Wellness Collective- Dr. Winley K.
Psychologist, PsyD, LP, HSP-P
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
WaterYourFire Wellness Collective specializes in working with Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC),
LGBTQ
-GNC+ individuals, and folks navigating trauma related to ethno-racial identity, class, sexuality, gender identity and expression, and sexual violence.
The decision to pursue counseling can be a tough but courageous step. People choose to seek out therapy for a variety of reasons, whether it is to explore and better understand parts of self or to address specific areas of concerns. WaterYourFire Wellness Collective works with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and presenting concerns. WYFWC currently operates via Telehealth Therapy (online). WYFWC also provides services in any PsyPact state- see participating states here: https://psypact.site-ym.com/page/psypactmap)
Justin Johnson-Bradshaw (Lgbtq+ Therapist)
Counselor, MA, LCMHCA, NCC
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
As a
gay
& mixed therapist, I love working with
LGBTQ
+ persons dealing with managing their emotions.
You've been feeling inadequate, weak, & misunderstood. As if your feelings and voice do not matter. You are feeling emotionally & mentally unstable. Your attempts to feel grounded & lay down roots have been met with unbearable stress & loneliness. You begin feeling angry because it seems like others around you have it all figured out. You are left wondering if there is something wrong with you. You are eager for a change, but you’re unsure where to ask for help. You have heard about therapy on social media & through word of mouth, but you find it risky opening up to a stranger. I am here to let you know those feelings are normal.
Kaitlin Duren
Counselor, LCMHCA
Verified
Verified
Accepting new client appointments for online counseling! I am on a mission to meet your counseling needs! My goal is to help you understand the influences in your life and create goals to dismantle and navigate any barriers to living authentically, I am here to help you clients discover a healthy perception of yourself and strengthen your interpersonal relationships. I am particularly interested in working with young adults and individuals who identify as
LGBTQ
+.
Phillip Bass
Counselor, MDiv, ThM, MA, LCMHC, NCC
Verified
8 Endorsed
Verified
8 Endorsed
My areas of specialty include
LGBTQ
+ issues, trauma, and relationships.
I am a co-creator of the Nurture/Play/Structure Model of therapy. By focusing on Nurture, Play, and Structure, we have found that individuals and families are better able to recognize their strengths and challenges. They also report a better sense of who they are, what they need, and how to name these needs in relationships.
Holly Rae Culton
Psychological Associate, MA, LPA
Verified
Verified
I specialize in
LGBTQ
affirmative therapy, with a focus on
trans
/gender identity issues.
We all need unconditional acceptance and support to heal and grow. And we all belong. In therapy, empathy is the foundation for trust in the therapeutic relationship. It allows a person to feel authentically seen and heard. By exploring thoughts and feelings, a better self-understanding is gained and life is experienced more fully.
Caroline Swindell
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, LCMHC-A
Verified
Verified
My passion is working with
LGBTQIA
+ individuals and couples.
We live in a world where we are constantly expected to grow and change without even knowing ourselves. With all my clients, I see them as the experts of their own life and aim to create a supportive space for vulnerability and radical acceptance. If they are struggling to find to their inner voice, I work with them to do this by processing their life experiences and trauma. By following a person centered and eclectic strategy, we develop tools for a deeper self-understanding of their needs and boundaries. I love working with children, individuals, parents, and couples to become comfortable with self-acceptance and emotions.
Not accepting new clients
Jay Jayaraman
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSWA
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
I am passionate about working with
queer
and
trans
adults and kids (age 9+) and anyone navigating identity, burnout, body image and eating, relationship uncertainty, the school/work system, depression, anxiety, and substance use.
I am a
queer
, nonbinary person of color who provides therapy services in the Triangle. My goal is to provide affirming care that centers your unique experiences, challenges, and resiliency. I believe that each person is the expert of their own experience; my work is to provide support and tools to aid your healing process while building our genuine trust and connection. As an advocate for social justice, I am grounded in the understanding that institutional and social forces influence mental health. My approach welcomes clients to explore these in session along with everyday issues.
Hayden Dawes
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCAS
Verified
5 Endorsed
Verified
5 Endorsed
As an
LGBTQIA
+ person of color, you may feel distressed living in a hostile world to people who look and love as you do.
Coming into therapy can be daunting; however, with your motivation and with a well-suited therapeutic partnership, healing is possible. People pursue therapy for different reasons. Often due to feeling overwhelmed, helpless, depressed or stressed. Others attend during life transitions or when looking for new ways to communicate their needs in their relationships. Whether your goal is to focus on challenges that you are currently facing or issues from the past, our work will focus on whatever is most central for you. I aim always to provide a safe and comfortable environment for you to bring any of your concerns.
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Waitlist for new clients
Monisha Berkowski
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
Therapy can help you understand how past experiences impact your daily life and relationships. By recognizing these patterns, we can begin cultivating lasting change in our interactions and relationships. Most of my clients want to improve their relationships, their sex life, or explore their identities or transitions. I specialize in sex and relationship therapy, enhancing intimacy and desire, improving differences in desire, and working through pain or dysfunction, particularly within the
queer
community. I also offer psychological evaluations to clarify diagnoses and collaborate on treatment recommendations.
Kate Carver
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Hi, my name is Kate and I am an LCSW providing outpatient therapy in North Carolina. I am part of the
LGBTQ
+ community and enjoy working with clients from all backgrounds. I have an MSW from the University of West Florida and have been practicing for over 8 years in North Carolina. I have worked in inpatient, community and outpatient settings providing me with a wealth of experiences to draw from in order to fit your specific therapeutic needs.
Melissa Sheri Rakowitz
Counselor, MA, LCMHCA
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Much of my experience has been centered around adult members of the
LGBTQIA
+ community and individuals who practice consensual non-monogamy.
As a therapist, I approach my work with a reverence for the uniqueness of each individual’s experience. It is my hope to create a therapeutic relationship based on compassion, trust, and respect while providing a warm, non-judgmental space for clients. My style is patient, grounding, and contemplative. I draw from various approaches to meet each client's needs. As a yoga teacher, I additionally enjoy integrating elements of mindfulness and somatic work into my practice. I am invested in helping clients live in a way that is aligned with their values and aspirations.
Felix Pittman
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSWA
Verified
Verified
As a
queer
,
trans
, neurodivergent, disabled person myself, my personal lived experience offers a unique, informed approach.
We all deserve to build lives worth living. And while our lives are inherently worth living, mental health struggles may cause that vision to blur in and out of focus depending on what’s going on in our lives. I believe that all the wisdom we need is within us already. To me, it’s about recognizing, becoming attuned to, and building confidence in that wisdom, as well as confidence in ourselves. I am skilled in conducting therapy with
LGBTQIA
+ clients, individuals with personality disorders (and their loved ones), neurodivergent clients, folks with chronic pain/illness, mood disorders, and folks with PTSD and C-PTSD.
Dr. Tiff Cagle
Doctor, Coach
Verified
Verified
I'm also
queer
, consensual non-monogamy, and kink affirming.
I help individuals with sexual concerns and feelings of inadequacy find empowerment and create embodied, fulfilling intimacy. As a certified coach and family doctor with 10 years of experience, I offer a holistic approach that includes sex education, coaching, and medical consultations if needed. Many people struggling with sexual function feel alone and misunderstood, but I can help you get unstuck and deepen your intimate connections. I love using creative inquiry to open up insights and strengths that you didn't know you had, and I have a positive approach to problem-solving that builds your confidence and sense of self-efficacy.
Not accepting new clients
Phil Stillman
Pre-Licensed Professional
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
I’m
queer
, nonbinary, and joyfully committed to anti-racism, anti-ableism, and body positivity.
For many, these last few years have been exceptionally difficult, and in one way or another most of us are struggling right now. I (they/them) believe that developing a deeper understanding of what you’re going through and how you’re coping can help you get to a better mental place. I strive to be a careful listener who will treat you as the expert of your own experience and endeavor to help you understand and overcome the things that are hurting you or holding you back.
Waitlist for new clients
Cameron Hollister
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSWA, CH
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
As you search for a therapist who understands your lived experience, some of my lived identities that may feel relevant for you to know are: autistic, nonbinary,
queer
, white, Pagan, AFAB, and in "remission" from OCD.
It's easy to feel like you have little to no control. Those of us belonging to marginalized groups spend every day living in a society that was explicitly not built for us. As if systemic problems and oppression aren't enough, many of us have individual concerns that generate a huge impact on our day-to-day functioning and vitality. With all the thoughts and emotions it can generate, having a human brain is simultaneously an exhilarating and exhausting experience. While we work to change the world we live in, we also need tools to live worthwhile and fulfilling lives in the present. That is where therapy comes in.
Cat Salemi
Counselor, LCMHCA
Verified
Verified
Cat Salemi (they/them) is experienced in treating clients struggling with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and trauma. They also have experience counseling people with ADHD and people on the autism spectrum, using a non-pathological and neurodiversity-based approach. Cat is especially passionate about helping
transgender
, nonbinary, and gender diverse individuals find happiness and live life as their authentic selves. Cat identifies as nonbinary and is a proud part of the
LGBTQIA
+ community. They are kink-affirming, polyamorous-allied, use a Health At Every Size (HAES) approach, and are committed to anti-racist practice.
Ian Esmay
Licensed Professional Counselor, LCMHC
Verified
Verified
I am an
LGBTQIA
+ and BIPOC affirmative counselor serving the states of NC and SC through online therapy.
Suffering is inevitable, and that really sucks. Sometimes you feel like nothing will ever get better, everything is your fault, and if you ever show your true self to the world, everyone will reject you. We wake up feeling like we can’t do this again, we’re completely unlovable, and everyone is always judging us. Deep down, you just want to be accepted for who you are. You are worthy of being seen and heard! Through therapy, you can stop numbing yourself and accept your true self.
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.