LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapists in South Burlington, VT
We all need support from time to time. We could use someone who will listen to us, to have our back. Someone who will walk beside us. We can work together to help you stay connected to the positive skills you likely already have! Together, we can find space to work through any past trauma. You may be at the beginning of a journey, in the middle or further along. I am trained to apply the therapeutic skills, encouragement and perspective you might find useful. Children and families are welcome. We live in a constantly changing world. Let me help strengthen your foundation...for life!
We all need support from time to time. We could use someone who will listen to us, to have our back. Someone who will walk beside us. We can work together to help you stay connected to the positive skills you likely already have! Together, we can find space to work through any past trauma. You may be at the beginning of a journey, in the middle or further along. I am trained to apply the therapeutic skills, encouragement and perspective you might find useful. Children and families are welcome. We live in a constantly changing world. Let me help strengthen your foundation...for life!
I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor who has been practicing as a therapist since 2015. I am passionate about providing strengths-based, trauma-informed counseling for adolescents and adults in a virtual private practice setting in Vermont. My goal as your counselor is to help you feel valued and empowered to navigate life’s challenges.
I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor who has been practicing as a therapist since 2015. I am passionate about providing strengths-based, trauma-informed counseling for adolescents and adults in a virtual private practice setting in Vermont. My goal as your counselor is to help you feel valued and empowered to navigate life’s challenges.
I work with diverse clients and especially enjoy working with the LGBTQ and neurodiverse communities.
I draw on a variety of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) approaches. These methods focus on understanding and working with the connections between our thoughts, actions, and emotions. I respect my clients as experts on their own lives, and I hope to be a helpful consultant and advocate for each person I work with.
I work with diverse clients and especially enjoy working with the LGBTQ and neurodiverse communities.
I draw on a variety of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) approaches. These methods focus on understanding and working with the connections between our thoughts, actions, and emotions. I respect my clients as experts on their own lives, and I hope to be a helpful consultant and advocate for each person I work with.
Avery Gardner
Registered Psychotherapist
2 Endorsed
South Burlington, VT 05403
Waitlist for new clients
I specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ clients, and my practice is kink-affirming, poly-friendly, and trauma-informed.
Whether you're navigating anxiety, life transitions, identity exploration, or challenges in relationships, I offer a compassionate and affirming space to support your healing and growth. My work is grounded in a deep respect for your lived experience, and I strive to meet each client with authenticity, care, and curiosity.
I specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ clients, and my practice is kink-affirming, poly-friendly, and trauma-informed.
Whether you're navigating anxiety, life transitions, identity exploration, or challenges in relationships, I offer a compassionate and affirming space to support your healing and growth. My work is grounded in a deep respect for your lived experience, and I strive to meet each client with authenticity, care, and curiosity.
Note: I am not able to take new clients at the moment but I can still provide support letters for gender affirming surgery.
I am a transgender woman who specializes in working collaboratively with transgender and gender diverse adults. I understand from personal experience that many of us feel like others have written our life stories and that these stories don’t reflect who we really are. Using the strengths-based framework of narrative therapy, I will help you take control of your life story and find your happily ever after.
Note: I am not able to take new clients at the moment but I can still provide support letters for gender affirming surgery.
I am a transgender woman who specializes in working collaboratively with transgender and gender diverse adults. I understand from personal experience that many of us feel like others have written our life stories and that these stories don’t reflect who we really are. Using the strengths-based framework of narrative therapy, I will help you take control of your life story and find your happily ever after.
I provide a fully affirming space for LGBTQ+ individuals and those navigating ENM or non-traditional relationship designs.
You are highly capable, analytical, and successful on paper—perhaps thriving in tech, academia, or leadership. But behind the scenes, you are spending massive energy masking and intellectualizing to fit into a neurotypical world. I provide a warm sanctuary for gifted and late-diagnosed adults to stop performing and start exhaling. You don’t need a therapist to "fix" you; you are already insightful. This is your space to drop the heavy armor, find comfort in your own skin, and explore what it looks like to thrive without pretending. Let's optimize your life for authentic growth, not just performance.
I provide a fully affirming space for LGBTQ+ individuals and those navigating ENM or non-traditional relationship designs.
You are highly capable, analytical, and successful on paper—perhaps thriving in tech, academia, or leadership. But behind the scenes, you are spending massive energy masking and intellectualizing to fit into a neurotypical world. I provide a warm sanctuary for gifted and late-diagnosed adults to stop performing and start exhaling. You don’t need a therapist to "fix" you; you are already insightful. This is your space to drop the heavy armor, find comfort in your own skin, and explore what it looks like to thrive without pretending. Let's optimize your life for authentic growth, not just performance.
Callia Zimmerman
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW, LCSW, LADC, ACS, PMH-C
South Burlington, VT 05403
Current openings- daytime appointments- virtual & in person!
Life is full of transitions, but sometimes you need help along the way. You might be negotiating career or educational choices, relationship changes, identity shifts or just not feeling like yourself due to sadness or worry.
Do you want to be seen, heard, and validated in a way that allows you to deeply accept and understand yourself? In the therapy relationship, I can witness your pain, acknowledge when things are challenging, and support you until it gets better. By learning to trust your self, change and transition can feel easier.
Current openings- daytime appointments- virtual & in person!
Life is full of transitions, but sometimes you need help along the way. You might be negotiating career or educational choices, relationship changes, identity shifts or just not feeling like yourself due to sadness or worry.
Do you want to be seen, heard, and validated in a way that allows you to deeply accept and understand yourself? In the therapy relationship, I can witness your pain, acknowledge when things are challenging, and support you until it gets better. By learning to trust your self, change and transition can feel easier.
Sarah Strong
Counselor, LCMHC, BA, M Ed, MS
1 Endorsed
South Burlington, VT 05403
Waitlist for new clients
Drawing from a decade in public education, my therapeutic methods are tailored to best meet your needs. I'm a firm believer in establishing a safe space for you to reflect, reassess, and refine what will best support you long term. Together, we'll develop context-specific skills and strategies to promote and sustain independent growth. This process can be both uncomfortable and meaningful, ultimately encouraging you to heal and thrive.
Drawing from a decade in public education, my therapeutic methods are tailored to best meet your needs. I'm a firm believer in establishing a safe space for you to reflect, reassess, and refine what will best support you long term. Together, we'll develop context-specific skills and strategies to promote and sustain independent growth. This process can be both uncomfortable and meaningful, ultimately encouraging you to heal and thrive.
If you're reading this you're probably hoping to make a change in your life and perhaps experience and understand yourself at a deeper level. I work with folks experiencing a range of problems, from mild dissatisfaction to overwhelming anxiety and despair.
If you're reading this you're probably hoping to make a change in your life and perhaps experience and understand yourself at a deeper level. I work with folks experiencing a range of problems, from mild dissatisfaction to overwhelming anxiety and despair.
Life can be incredibly challenging, confusing, and overwhelming. I believe that everyone deserves a space where they feel safe to slow down, reflect, and explore their internal experience. My approach to therapy is relational and collaborative. Therapy is a place to build self-awareness, develop meaningful coping strategies, and ultimately feel more at home in yourself.
Life can be incredibly challenging, confusing, and overwhelming. I believe that everyone deserves a space where they feel safe to slow down, reflect, and explore their internal experience. My approach to therapy is relational and collaborative. Therapy is a place to build self-awareness, develop meaningful coping strategies, and ultimately feel more at home in yourself.
Waitlist: Not accepting new clients. Hello and welcome! I am so glad you are here! Each one of us has gone through a personal journey that has helped shaped who we are today. Whether the experiences have been positive or less than desirable, they are what make you YOU! However, life can be challenging, and it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed at times. Seeking support is courageous and I am here to help you navigate your journey. Together, we’ll create goals that are tailored for you.
Waitlist: Not accepting new clients. Hello and welcome! I am so glad you are here! Each one of us has gone through a personal journey that has helped shaped who we are today. Whether the experiences have been positive or less than desirable, they are what make you YOU! However, life can be challenging, and it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed at times. Seeking support is courageous and I am here to help you navigate your journey. Together, we’ll create goals that are tailored for you.
Does a basic discussion turn into an all day argument? Do you feel like you are in a relationship with a stranger? Relationships, regardless of what kind, are the responsibility of both parties involved. Each relationship has its own fingerprints and no two are the same. I help couples identify and resolve the underlying cause of their conflict whether it’s current or historic.
Does a basic discussion turn into an all day argument? Do you feel like you are in a relationship with a stranger? Relationships, regardless of what kind, are the responsibility of both parties involved. Each relationship has its own fingerprints and no two are the same. I help couples identify and resolve the underlying cause of their conflict whether it’s current or historic.
Interested in soul-making with personal agency versus coping with dysfunctional realities? The depth lens can be used by those experiencing non-ordinary states of reality, amplified emotions, mania, anxiety, trauma presentations, & a desire to understand your psychological patterns better or create new ones. Dr. Annie facilitates a decolonization approach to tend psyche, wherein we co-create a self-care system through your cultural lenses to teach you how to keep your own council. The psyche-soma models employed include Jungian, Archetypal, Mindfulness-Based, Eco-Psychological, Wisdom Traditions, & Expressive Arts modalities.
Interested in soul-making with personal agency versus coping with dysfunctional realities? The depth lens can be used by those experiencing non-ordinary states of reality, amplified emotions, mania, anxiety, trauma presentations, & a desire to understand your psychological patterns better or create new ones. Dr. Annie facilitates a decolonization approach to tend psyche, wherein we co-create a self-care system through your cultural lenses to teach you how to keep your own council. The psyche-soma models employed include Jungian, Archetypal, Mindfulness-Based, Eco-Psychological, Wisdom Traditions, & Expressive Arts modalities.
Limited openings: Tues midday, Wed/Thurs AM
I often say, "Being human is the hardest thing I've ever had to do." Maybe you've tried doing what’s expected but something still feels stuck. Or maybe you're dealing with problems with your partner(s) or your child is struggling, and you feel shut out, frustrated, or unsure what to do. Whether it’s anxiety or depression, OCD, eating issues, dissociation, (complex) trauma, or relationship strain, our work together is a place to slow down, sort through the noise, and finally feel like something is shifting again. This is where we stop pretending it’s fine and start figuring out what’s real.
Limited openings: Tues midday, Wed/Thurs AM
I often say, "Being human is the hardest thing I've ever had to do." Maybe you've tried doing what’s expected but something still feels stuck. Or maybe you're dealing with problems with your partner(s) or your child is struggling, and you feel shut out, frustrated, or unsure what to do. Whether it’s anxiety or depression, OCD, eating issues, dissociation, (complex) trauma, or relationship strain, our work together is a place to slow down, sort through the noise, and finally feel like something is shifting again. This is where we stop pretending it’s fine and start figuring out what’s real.
My practice is based in mindfulness, building skills, and developing a strong relationship to self. In sessions, we will explore what works, what doesn't, create goals and craft new narratives aligned with a more positive path forward. I specialize in supporting those experiencing anxiety, depression, and challenging life changes. I work often with young adults, neurodivergent folks, LGBTQIA2S+ folks, and have a background in medical social work, where I supported people coping with grief, loss, chronic illness/pain, and terminal illness. I love working with clients seeking to build supportive practices and strengthen insight.
My practice is based in mindfulness, building skills, and developing a strong relationship to self. In sessions, we will explore what works, what doesn't, create goals and craft new narratives aligned with a more positive path forward. I specialize in supporting those experiencing anxiety, depression, and challenging life changes. I work often with young adults, neurodivergent folks, LGBTQIA2S+ folks, and have a background in medical social work, where I supported people coping with grief, loss, chronic illness/pain, and terminal illness. I love working with clients seeking to build supportive practices and strengthen insight.
You matter. Your happiness matters. My approach is focused on helping people clarify their core values and work through psychological barriers to realizing them. It involves a collaborative exploration of how our past experiences and beliefs affect how we experience ourselves, others, and life in the present. Through better understanding of our own internal and external worlds, not only can distressing emotions and symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, and the effects of trauma be reduced, but more free, fulfilling, and enjoyable lives can be achieved.
You matter. Your happiness matters. My approach is focused on helping people clarify their core values and work through psychological barriers to realizing them. It involves a collaborative exploration of how our past experiences and beliefs affect how we experience ourselves, others, and life in the present. Through better understanding of our own internal and external worlds, not only can distressing emotions and symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, and the effects of trauma be reduced, but more free, fulfilling, and enjoyable lives can be achieved.
I offer a compassionate, nonjudgmental space for women and LGBTQIA individuals experiencing eating disorders.
Your relationship with food and your body has taken over your life, and you’re tired of feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, and alone. You may be fed up with the shame, exhausted by the lack of control, or worn down by how isolating this struggle has become. You might not even remember a time when things felt different. But one thing is clear: you’re ready for relief. You’re ready to leave the eating disorder behind. You want to feel confident, grounded, and in more control of your emotions. Most of all, you’re ready to reconnect with yourself. My clients come to therapy looking for a space where they can finally feel understood.
I offer a compassionate, nonjudgmental space for women and LGBTQIA individuals experiencing eating disorders.
Your relationship with food and your body has taken over your life, and you’re tired of feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, and alone. You may be fed up with the shame, exhausted by the lack of control, or worn down by how isolating this struggle has become. You might not even remember a time when things felt different. But one thing is clear: you’re ready for relief. You’re ready to leave the eating disorder behind. You want to feel confident, grounded, and in more control of your emotions. Most of all, you’re ready to reconnect with yourself. My clients come to therapy looking for a space where they can finally feel understood.
I am interested in your story of who you are- how you got here and where you want to go next. This may include joys, hard lessons, celebrations, grief and periods of uncertainty. It may also be unfolding in ways you don’t know how to talk about yet.
All of this will be welcome as we work together to make room for new ways of being or letting go of old patterns that no longer serve you. I am aware these changes can be both liberating and uncomfortable. Therapy should be a safe place for this process to unfold at a pace that works for you.
I am interested in your story of who you are- how you got here and where you want to go next. This may include joys, hard lessons, celebrations, grief and periods of uncertainty. It may also be unfolding in ways you don’t know how to talk about yet.
All of this will be welcome as we work together to make room for new ways of being or letting go of old patterns that no longer serve you. I am aware these changes can be both liberating and uncomfortable. Therapy should be a safe place for this process to unfold at a pace that works for you.
My ideal client is a teen, young adult or their families who are feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, or stress and eager to discover their own strengths and apply them to living with more wellbeing. We will work together to build coping skills and healthier ways to handle emotions and relationships. If you want an authentic, caring connection that uses evidence-based approaches (like CBT, DBT, and mindfulness) to guide you toward becoming your own best therapist and living with greater confidence and resilience than I may be a good fit.
My ideal client is a teen, young adult or their families who are feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, or stress and eager to discover their own strengths and apply them to living with more wellbeing. We will work together to build coping skills and healthier ways to handle emotions and relationships. If you want an authentic, caring connection that uses evidence-based approaches (like CBT, DBT, and mindfulness) to guide you toward becoming your own best therapist and living with greater confidence and resilience than I may be a good fit.
I work with people of diverse cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, as well as queer sexualities and a wide range of gender identities.
Together we will work to let go of self-judgment and create space for the exploration of often long-held unconscious patterns, feelings, and beliefs. Tracing patterns to their historical origin can illuminate the source and reasons behind psychological pain, relationship challenges, or a disconnection from the self. As you get to know yourself more deeply in therapy, you will likely experience immense relief of distressing psychological symptoms and develop a more fulfilling, expansive, and authentic life experience. Therapeutic work is for everyone.
I work with people of diverse cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, as well as queer sexualities and a wide range of gender identities.
Together we will work to let go of self-judgment and create space for the exploration of often long-held unconscious patterns, feelings, and beliefs. Tracing patterns to their historical origin can illuminate the source and reasons behind psychological pain, relationship challenges, or a disconnection from the self. As you get to know yourself more deeply in therapy, you will likely experience immense relief of distressing psychological symptoms and develop a more fulfilling, expansive, and authentic life experience. Therapeutic work is for everyone.
See more therapy options for South Burlington
Nearby LGBTQ+ Therapists Searches for South Burlington
- Charlotte
- Colchester
- Essex
- Essex Junction
- Hinesburg
- Jericho
- Milton
- Richmond
- Shelburne
- Underhill
- Williston
- Winooski
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.