LGBT therapists in Birmingham, AL

Hi! I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 14 years of experience helping people navigate some of life's most challenging moments. My background spans addiction recovery, the LGBTQ+ community, and the child welfare system, including working with foster and adoptive families. As both a member of the LGBTQ+ community and an adoptive and former foster parent myself, these aren't just areas of clinical expertise -- they're deeply personal to me. I bring both professional knowledge and lived experience to my work.

If you've been carrying something heavy — trauma, grief, a past you haven't fully processed — I want you to know: healing is possible, and you don't have to do it alone.

I'm Layla DeLoach Kirkley, a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S) and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) with nearly 20 years of experience. I spent much of my career working directly with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking in nonprofit settings — and that work shaped everything about how I show up for my clients today.

I hold a BS in Psychology and an MS in Counseling and Human Development, and I use evidence-based approaches like CBT, Trauma-Focused CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, and mindfulness techniques — always tailored to what you need, not a one-size-fits-all plan.

I work with teens (ages 13+), adults, couples, and families across a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, PTSD, low self-esteem, disordered eating, grief, life transitions, and LGBTQIA+ identity. I see clients in-person in Montgomery and Selma, AL, and via telehealth in Alabama and Florida.

Krystin Cuthrell is a Licensed Professional Counselor whose work is shaped by a lifelong connection to movement and creative expression. She began her career as a ballet instructor and later spent more than a decade teaching yoga, experiences that deepened her understanding of embodiment, compassion, and the mind–body relationship.

She earned her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Jacksonville State University in 2023 and is currently pursuing her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of the Cumberlands. Krystin primarily supports traditional and non‐traditional college students, specializing in religious trauma, body‐image concerns, identity development, self‐compassion, and LGBTQIA+‐affirming care.

Grounded in expressive arts and mindful, strengths‐based approaches, she also presents at local and state-wide conferences on the importance of self‐care for helping professionals.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 24 years of experience in the field. I work with adults, children, adolescents, couples and families. My goal is to provide a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental environment. My approach is warm, respectful, and interactive. I place a strong value on working with a client's culture and values.

For the past 8 years, I’ve worked closely with elderly and disabled individuals, supporting them through life’s emotional and practical challenges. Before becoming a social worker, I worked in banking, but I felt a strong pull toward work that allowed me to truly make a difference in people’s lives. That calling led me to counseling. I bring compassion, patience, and a deep respect for each person’s story into the work we do together.

Finding the right therapist matters. I believe therapy works best when clients feel genuinely heard, respected, and understood. My style is conversational, collaborative, and direct, balancing warmth with honesty and practical feedback. I work especially well with individuals impacted by trauma, chronic stress, and moral injury arising from high-responsibility environments, including veterans, first responders, and medical professionals. Many appear highly functional outwardly while privately struggling with anxiety, exhaustion, disrupted sleep, or feeling disconnected from themselves, others, or the lives they once recognized.

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) with over 15 years of experience supporting teens, adults, and families. My style is down-to-earth, collaborative, and focused on what matters most to you. Using a blend of CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and strengths-based approaches, I provide a safe, welcoming space to navigate life’s challenges, build resilience, and create meaningful change. If you’re unable to schedule a session through this platform, please email me directly at [email protected], and I will get you scheduled as soon as possible. Please note that Headway may not always reflect my most current availability.

When life feels heavy, it’s easy to feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from the version of yourself you want to be.

I help individuals navigate depression, anxiety, life stress, and major transitions while building confidence and clarity. I offer in-person sessions in Tennessee and telehealth for clients in both Tennessee and Alabama.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a strong background in trauma-informed care, anxiety treatment, and grief work. I believe therapy should feel safe, collaborative, and respectful of your lived experience. I understand how past trauma, chronic stress, and life transitions can shape the nervous system and impact daily functioning, even when life looks “okay” on the outside. My role is to meet you where you are, without judgment, and help you make sense of your experiences while building practical tools for healing. I value authenticity, emotional safety, and meaningful connection in the therapeutic relationship.

Whether I am working with clients navigating life transitions or partnering with UA to support elite athletes and students, my goal is to help you meet your challenges with more kindness and resilience.

I bring specialized clinical training in self-compassion and grief to our sessions.

I am Certified in Self Compassion in Psychotherapy and a Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher, trained by the Center for Mindful Self Compassion. I am a certified Grief Educator trained by David Kessler.

I received my Masters in Social Work from The University of Alabama, rtr, and my BLA in Psychology from Johns Hopkins University .