LGBTQ Affirming Therapy in New York City
6 Best LGBTQIA+ Therapists in NYC
No Waitlist
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Most Major Health Insurance Plans Accepted
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No Waitlist 〰️ Most Major Health Insurance Plans Accepted 〰️
You deserve a safe space to thrive and be true to yourself in therapy.
As a member of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and more) community, you may have the cognitive dissonance of feeling joy while attending Pride parades, celebrating love, and expressing yourself authentically while also fearing for your safety at those events, watching anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation being passed, and worrying about the health of those you love.
And we don’t forget: the first Pride was a riot. How are you supposed to live your truth and be who you are meant to be when there are lawmakers in this country who want to take away all of your rights? When will you get to live with the same freedoms that everyone else has? LGBTQ therapy needs to understand all of the multitudes contained within the lived experiences of queer people.
Do any of these thoughts resonate with you?
"I see all these anti-LGBTQIA+ laws being passed, and it makes me feel hopeless and scared about the future."
“My family makes weird comments at gatherings. I love them but it makes me dread the holidays because I don’t feel like I am accepted.”
“I’m the only gay person at work and I feel like I have to be perfect all of the time as a representative of our entire community.”
"I'd feel more comfortable talking to a therapist who understands my lived experience in some way."
"It would be helpful to find someone who can help me manage my anxiety and depression, but also understands the specific experiences of being queer in this country."
“I just want the same things everyone else does: happiness, love, and success.”
"I want to feel a part of the LGBTQ community, live in a safe environment, and thrive in NYC."
Whatever the reasons bringing you to therapy today, you deserve to feel safe, free of judgment, and supported.
Why you should work with our unique practice
We are committed to providing a safe and affirming space for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Our practice offers virtual therapy to help people across New York City and throughout New York state. We believe in matching the right therapist with the right client, which is why we prioritize the perfect fit above everything else. Our practice isn't just LGBTQIA+ friendly, but we only have actively affirming therapists who are welcoming of all.
We use inclusive language that respects all gender identities and sexual orientations, which can also involve things like using terms like "partner" and avoiding heteronormative assumptions. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive space for healing and growth.
TRUSTED MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS6 Best NYC LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapists
Jump to a therapist that sounds like a good fit for you.
Maggie McCarthy, LMSW: Good fit for individuals wanting to incorporate mindfulness
Laina Mason, LCSW: Good fit for LGBTQ+ individuals healing from trauma
Johanna Bellorin, LMSW: Good fit for Latina and BIPOC individuals and couples
Caroline Goodhines, MHC-LP: Good fit for young adults establishing themselves
Alyssa Reinhardt, MHC-LP: Good fit for neurodivergent people
1. Maggie McCarthy, LMSW
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As a therapist, Maggie supports adults in their 20s and 30s navigating unresolved pain through a deeply empathetic and holistic approach. Recognizing the complex intersections of personal experiences and systemic oppression, she creates a nurturing therapeutic space where her clients can explore their deepest vulnerabilities. Using mindfulness, CBT, somatic, and narrative therapies, Maggie helps her clients reimagine past experiences and challenge negative thought patterns. She partners with her clients to understand how intergenerational and interpersonal harm impacts their mental health, prioritizing their safety and autonomy. Maggie's mission is to guide her clients towards healing, empowering them to restore their sense of self, uncover personal strengths, and cultivate inner peace.
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Credentials: Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
Education: MSW, Columbia School of Social Work
Specialties: Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression
Modalities Used: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Somatic Therapy, Narrative Therapy
2. Laina Mason, LCSW
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Laina has a long history of supporting her clients through navigating the complex landscape of historical and recent traumas, including sexual violence and destabilizing life transitions. She creates a compassionate, non-judgmental space where her clients can explore their experiences of anxiety, sadness, and disconnection that often prevent them from fully embracing their authentic selves. Laina's approach focuses on empowering her clients to reclaim their narrative by challenging negative self-talk, developing self-affirming practices, and recognizing their inherent strengths. Through gentle guidance, she helps her clients rebuild self-esteem, set healthy boundaries, and cultivate a sense of joy and wholeness that honors their complete, multifaceted experiences.
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Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Education: MSW, University of Albany
Specialties: Sexual Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression
Modalities Used: Internal Family Systems (IFS), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Polyvagal and Somatic Experiencing
3. Greta Weiss, LMSW
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As a therapist, Greta supports young adults navigating the complex terrain of identity formation and self-discovery. She creates a supportive, empathetic space where her clients can explore the intricate pressures of young adulthood, from family expectations to societal comparisons. Using a blend of Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Greta helps her clients process emotions, understand past experiences, and develop concrete skills for empowerment. Her LGBTQ-affirming approach provides a safe haven for her clients to embrace their true selves. Greta guides her clients in building confidence, improving communication, and developing a clear sense of purpose during this transformative period of personal growth.
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Credentials: Licensed Master Social Work (LMSW)
Education: MSW, Columbia University
Specialties: Young Adulthood, Life Transition, Family Systems, Trauma, Anxiety, Relationships, Transitions, Boundaries
Modalities Used: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Psychodynamic
4. Caroline Goodhines, MHC-LP
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I bring a collaborative, conversational approach grounded in curiosity to our sessions—offering a space where we can explore the patterns in your thoughts and relationships while building practical tools for everyday clarity.
Navigating your twenties and thirties involves a lot of moving parts, from building careers and deepening partnerships to making major life shifts. For LGBTQIA+ young adults, these transitions often come with the added complexity of exploring identity, questioning long-held beliefs, or unlearning social expectations that were never built for you. On the outside, things might look successful and stable, but internally you may be dealing with burnout, perfectionism, or feeling disconnected from what you actually want. Drawing from Narrative Therapy, Humanistic frameworks, and CBT, I help you unpack the stories you’ve been living by while building realistic skills to manage anxiety and overthinking. Together, we’ll create a deeply affirming space where you feel truly understood, empowered to set healthy boundaries, and free to step into a life that feels authentic to who you are.
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Credentials: Mental Health Counselor, Limited Permit
Education: MA, New York University
Specialties: Anxiety, Perfectionism, Burnout, Life Transitions, Perinatal, Postpartum Anxiety & Depression, LGBTQIA+ Individuals, Trauma/PTSD, Self-Esteem, Young Adults
Modalities Used: Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
5. Johanna Bellorin, LMSW
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Entering therapy shouldn’t feel intimidating, stiff, or overly clinical—it should feel real, down-to-earth, and human.
Whether you're feeling caught in repeated arguments or navigating the complexities of your relationship as an LGBTQ+ couple, partners from different cultural or racial backgrounds, or individuals managing major life shifts, you don't have to figure it out alone. As a bilingual Latina therapist and immigrant from Venezuela, I bring deep cultural humility and lived experience into my work, creating a fiercely affirming, inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ folks, immigrants, and BIPOC communities. Offering therapy in both English and Spanish, I integrate Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and CBT to help you dismantle negative communication cycles, regulate during conflict, and rebuild emotional intimacy. My goal is to help you gently call out what’s keeping you stuck, slow down painful reactions, and build a partnership where both of you feel deeply seen, respected, and connected.
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Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Education: MA, Columbia University
Specialties: Latino People, BIPOC People, LGBTQIA+ Individuals, LGBTQIA+ Couples, Interracial/Interfath/Intercultural Couples, Trauma/PTSD, Spanish Speaking, Self Esteem
Modalities Used: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
6. Alyssa Reinhardt, MHC-LP
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Constantly feeling like the world wasn’t built for the way your brain works can be exhausting—especially when you're balancing burnout, sensory overload, and the pressure to mask who you are. Outside of therapy, I value authentic connection and living at a pace that honors your nervous system.
I provide a neurodiversity-affirming and LGBTQIA+ affirming space where your brain and identity are respected, never treated as something to be fixed. Whether you're autistic, ADHD, navigating queer or trans identity intersections, or exploring non-traditional relationships, you won't have to defend or explain yourself here. Integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with nervous-system-informed strategies, I help you quiet self-criticism, manage overwhelm before it leads to burnout, and build practical systems that fit your actual life. In our sessions, you're free to stim, fidget, move around, and communicate in whatever way feels most comfortable. Together, we'll focus on shedding shame, honoring your sensory needs, and creating a life and relationships aligned with what genuinely matters to you.
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Credentials: Mental Health Counselor, Limited Permit
Education: MA, Sacred Heart University
Specialties: Neurodivergence, ADHD, Autism, LGBTQIA+ Individuals, LGBTQIA+ Couples, Couples, Burnout
Modalities Used: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Nervous System Informed
More NYC LGTBQIA+ mental health and therapy resources
FAQs about LGBTQIA+ mental health care in NYC
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Absolutely. We believe in matching the right therapist with the right client, which is why we prioritize the perfect fit above everything else. When you work with us, you will begin to feel more understood, learn to communicate your needs more clearly, and create happier, healthier connections with the people you care about. You'll gain tools to manage conflict, express yourself openly, and build stronger bonds, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling life. We approach our work through a culturally competent, culturally responsive, and anti-racist lens.
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Our work differs from LGBTQIA+ friendly therapy in the sense that it goes beyond tolerance and actively promotes understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ+ experiences.
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We acknowledge the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals, such as discrimination, social isolation, and mental health concerns. We pursue ongoing continuing education and training in LGBTQIA+ mental health issues to demonstrate our commitment to staying up-to-date on best practices and clinical experience for serving this community.
We use inclusive language that respects all gender identities and sexual orientations, which can also involve things like using terms like "partner" and avoiding heteronormative assumptions. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive space for healing and growth.
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Every couple is unique, so we tailor our approach to your specific situation. Your therapist will work collaboratively with you both to identify your goals and develop strategies for a healthier relationship. All of our therapists are familiar with the unique challenges that LGBTQIA+ couples can face, such as minority stress, coming out within relationships, navigating legal and social barriers, and exploring non-traditional family structures.
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If you're ready to feel more understood, learn to communicate your needs more clearly, and create happier, healthier connections with the people you care about, you're ready for therapy. You'll gain tools to manage conflict, express yourself openly, and build stronger bonds, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling life. Therapy can help you feel more like yourself - the self you want to be and know you could be, if only you could get out of your own head.
Here’s What’s Next:
1. Fill out our contact form.
Share some information about you in the contact form below so that we can match you with the right therapist for your needs.
2. Book a free consultation.
After you fill out our form, have a low-pressure, 20-minute call with your therapist to make sure they are the right fit.
3. Get the care you deserve.
Schedule your first appointment today and start on your journey to feeling better right away.