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LGBT therapists in Pasadena, CA


Top LGBT-friendly therapists and psychiatrists in Pasadena, CA
Pasadena's LGBTQIA+ community deserves mental healthcare from providers who understand their unique experiences. Headway offers talk therapy and medication management with 2,627 licensed providers, accepting 70+ insurance plans nationally with copays typically ranging from $0 to moderate amounts.
I’m grateful to have a career that allows me to be authentically myself and spend my days talking deeply about things that matter. I love working with motivated, bright people who know they have a lot to offer, but feel a bit blocked. I find great joy in helping people unblock to find ease and authenticity in their own lives.
Hi, I’m Lisa Bove, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and also a non-judgmental Christian minister based in Southern California. With nearly three decades of experience, I’m here to support individuals from all walks of life, including those in the LGBTQI+ community, as they navigate the challenges of grief, anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship struggles. I also specialize in end of life issues. I know how difficult it can be to reach out, but I’m committed to creating a safe, welcoming space where you can feel truly heard and supported.
I am a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who provides compassionate, patient-centered, and evidence-based care. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you feel heard and supported. Together, we develop personalized treatment plans focused on your goals, well-being, and long-term mental health.
From the outside, it looks like you've got it handled: the job, the responsibilities, the reputation for being reliable. Underneath, your mind rarely slows down: replaying conversations, second-guessing decisions you've already made, feeling guilty when you try to rest.
I work with young adults with anxiety, perfectionism, and self-imposed pressure. A lot of my clients are exhausted by overthinking and frustrated that doing everything "right" hasn't actually brought them any peace.
Together, we'll figure out what's keeping that cycle going and build real tools for managing anxiety and pressure Not just insight, but things you can actually use. My style is direct, down-to-earth, and LGBTQ+ affirming.
Most people start out feeling like they're carrying more than they can hold. Over time, that tends to get lighter, more confidence in your own decisions, less dread before hard conversations, and a life that feels as good on the inside as it looks from the outside.
If you're ready to stop carrying this alone, I'd be glad to connect.
You don't have to arrive here put together. Whatever you're carrying right now belongs in this space: anxiety, grief, relationship stress, a shifting sense of who you are, or something you haven't quite found words for yet. I work with adults and older adults navigating the full range of what life brings, with a particular passion for supporting BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities and people who are questioning or deconstructing their faith. My work spans trauma, identity, women's issues, OCD, depression, and the anger or sadness that accumulates when you've been holding too much for too long.
I’m a psychiatrist who practices from a psychodynamic perspective, with attention to emotional depth, meaning, and the ways our histories shape how we experience ourselves and others. My work focuses on understanding symptoms in context — as expressions of what is happening within your mind, your relationships, and our society.
I believe therapy works best when you feel safe, understood, and genuinely supported. My approach is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental, and I strive to create a space where you can be yourself. People often describe me as easy to talk to, and I believe that compassion—and even a little humor when appropriate—can make the healing process feel more comfortable. We'll work together to build on your strengths and help you create meaningful, lasting change.
I am Sharon Atwood, a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Adult Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of dedicated clinical experience. I hold active, unrestricted licenses in Florida, New York, California, and Idaho, and I specialize in serving adults aged 18 and older through both telehealth and outpatient settings.
My educational foundation reflects a lifelong commitment to excellence. I earned my Associate in Science and Diploma in Nursing before completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology magna cum laude from Kean University. I then pursued my Master of Science in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University and a Post-Master's Certificate in Psychiatric-Mental Health from the University of Miami, both achieved summa cum laude. I maintain dual board certifications through ANCC and AANP, and I am a proud member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, and the California Association of Nurse Practitioners.
My clinical background spans diverse settings, including adult and geriatric primary care, inpatient psychiatry, crisis intervention, hospital consultation, assisted living environments, and outpatient psychiatric medication management. This breadth of experience equips me to confidently address a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, OCD, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, sleep disturbances, and complex co-occurring presentations. I welcome individuals with treatment-resistant symptoms.
My approach is collaborative, evidence-based, and rooted in genuine partnership. I combine psychiatric medication management with integrative health practices, examining how sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress, and social connection shape your overall wellbeing. I believe that meaningful progress flourishes when expert care is paired with healthy lifestyle.
I'm Michael, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner passionate about providing integrated care for complex mental health challenges, including ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, OCD, personality disorders, PTSD and trauma, schizophrenia and psychosis disorders, substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, panic disorders, mood disorders, and bipolar conditions. My practice recognizes that these conditions are deeply interconnected in ways requiring specialized understanding.
I chose to specialize across this broad spectrum because I understand how neurodivergence intersects with trauma responses, how personality patterns emerge as adaptive mechanisms, how substance use can complicate other presentations, and how psychotic symptoms may develop in vulnerable individuals. Whether you're in recovery while managing other conditions, discovering neurodivergence later in life, or dealing with multiple diagnoses that influence each other, I bring the expertise needed to see the complete picture.
My approach emphasizes both evidence-based treatments and the healing power of being truly understood by someone who isn't intimidated by complexity. I recognize that seeking help for multiple or stigmatized conditions takes tremendous courage, especially after disappointing experiences with other providers who may have felt overwhelmed by your needs.
What you can expect from our collaboration is a thorough assessment, personalized treatment planning, and ongoing support as we navigate your unique mental health journey. My goal is to help you build resilience, develop effective strategies, and create the fulfilling life you deserve. You are full of possibilities. Together, we'll work at your pace, honoring your experiences while moving toward meaningful change.
For up-to-date availability, please visit our website at mentalhealthpractitioners.com or call/text us at 415-968-6515. Thank you for reading!
About our LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists located within 20 miles of Pasadena, CA



- 100%LGBTQIA+
- 98%Anxiety
- 96%Relationship issues
- 94%Depression
- 86%Stress management

- 100%Aetna
- 71%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 57%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 43%Providence Health Plan
- 41%Cigna

- 96%English
- 20%Spanish
- 4%Armenian
- 2%Hebrew
- 2%Portuguese

- 100%In-person or online

- 49%Woman
- 47%Man
- 4%Non-binary

- 51%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 27%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 10%Clinical Psychologist
- 8%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- 4%Nurse Practitioner

- 100%Individual therapy
- 43%Family therapy
- 22%Child or adolescent therapy
- 22%Couples therapy
Frequently asked questions


Find the right LGBTQ-friendly therapy provider for you
Headway makes it easier to connect with affirming therapists who understand your identity — from finding the right therapist, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a LGBTQIA+ Therapist in Pasadena
Finding LGBTQIA+ therapists in Pasadena starts with identity-affirming care. Look for a therapist who clearly describes experience with LGBTQIA+ people, including affirmative therapy, gender-diverse care, WPATH training, or related support for identity, anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship concerns. A therapist’s listed specialties, training, and approach can help you understand whether their experience matches what you want to discuss in care.
Pasadena is close to larger Los Angeles mental health networks, but affirming therapists with current openings may still be limited in a smaller local market. Virtual appointments can expand your options beyond a nearby office while keeping care accessible from home. As you compare therapists, consider availability, whether they offer free phone consultations, and whether their bio explicitly names LGBTQIA+ populations. Bios can also give you a clearer sense of communication style, therapeutic approach, and what a first session may include.
Therapy in Pasadena can be a significant investment without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and understand what you may pay before booking. Headway helps you find LGBTQIA+-affirming therapists who accept a wide range of insurance plans, many of whom are accepting new patients, and offer clear profiles, upfront cost estimates, and direct booking when you’re ready.
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