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LGBT therapists in Santa Barbara, CA


Top LGBT-friendly therapists and psychiatrists in Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara's LGBTQIA community deserves mental health support from providers who truly understand. Headway offers flexible virtual and in-person sessions with 2,485 empowering, solution-oriented providers who create nonjudgmental spaces for exploring identity, with many appointments available within days.
I'm Dr. Christina Cortez, a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Santa Barbara, California. Grounded in a humanistic and client-centered approach, I'm committed to meeting individuals where they are emotionally, culturally, and spiritually.
My practice is built on the principles of empathy, respect, and collaboration, with a strong focus on creating a safe, nonjudgmental space for healing and personal growth.
I provide bilingual (English and Spanish) psychotherapy for adolescents and adults, integrating evidence-based modalities such as EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
My work is deeply informed by multicultural awareness and sensitivity to the diverse cultural and religious values clients bring into the therapeutic space.
With a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, I've served in various clinical settings including community mental health, outpatient treatment, and education.
My professional mission centers on honoring the lived experiences of each client while supporting their path toward resilience, empowerment, and meaningful change.
I veiw the path of a human life span, as each of us interact and peerceives the environment around us in our own unique way. My goal is to help clients look at their options, evaluate choices towarda healthier outcome. My work has involved in helping clients toward building better communication between couples, family members, and individual relationships. It is my belief that counseling / psychotherapy can provide a safe place where personal challenges can be processed, and finding choices toward enhancing the quality of life and improve relationships.
Seeking therapy is acknowledging you are allowed to take space, time, and care for yourself. Finding the right therapist is an important first step. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who provides compassionate, evidence-based therapy for adolescents, adults, and seniors experiencing anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, depression, relationship challenges, life transitions, grief, and stress. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in genuine connection. I believe healing begins when people feel understood without judgement. Together, we will work to increase insight, strengthen resilience, and create meaningful, lasting change that aligns with your values and goals.
Hi, I'm Mitch — a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Vanderbilt University. San Diego has been home since 2020, when the Navy first brought me here.
My background includes pediatrics at Children’s Hospital in St. Paul, inpatient psychiatry in Nashville and San Diego, crisis stabilization, and outpatient mental health care. I’ve worked with veterans, college students, LGBTQ+ individuals, people experiencing homelessness, and patients navigating anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, trauma, substance use, and severe mental illness.
I primarily provide psychiatric evaluation and medication management while integrating supportive therapy, psychoeducation, and practical coping strategies into visits. My approach is collaborative, direct, and grounded in helping people improve day-to-day functioning and quality of life.
I look forward to getting to know you.
My goal with therapy is to provide a safe and open space to process and prioritize a growth mindset. I tailor my therapeutic approach to best match the needs of the client and truly believe in promoting acceptance. Some modalities I have experience with and may incorporate into therapy are Acceptance Compassion Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused, Client-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Here-and-now Counseling, Trauma-Informed, and Holistic. I have a passion for working with individuals who are looking to unpack complex emotions and experiences that have shaped their understanding of the world.
Welcome! Taking the step to prioritize your mental health is powerful, and I’m honored to welcome you to our practice.
I’m Nadia Seray-Wurie, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner devoted to delivering compassionate, top-tier psychiatric and medical care to individuals and families across our communities. We bring flexible, high-quality care directly to you—offering both in-person appointments and seamless telepsychiatry services. Together, we’ll build a personalized approach to your health so you can thrive.You don’t have to do this alone—we're here to walk alongside you on your journey to wellness.
I’m Chinenye Udoh, MSN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C, a dual board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. I work with adolescents and adults navigating ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma-related concerns, schizophrenia, and other mental health challenges.
Many of the people I work with have spent years knowing that something doesn’t feel quite right but struggling to put it into words. You may be having difficulty focusing or completing tasks, experiencing overwhelming anxiety, struggling with motivation, noticing significant changes in your mood, or simply feeling exhausted from trying to manage everything on your own. My goal is to provide a space where you feel heard rather than judged and understood rather than rushed.
Amina has a Masters in Social Work with a concentration on Direct Practice in Community Mental Health from the University of California, Berkeley. Additional education is a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology, Japanese, and a Pupil Personnel Service Credential specializing on children and families. She has over 18+ years of direct practice mental health experience and is trained in evidence based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Art Therapy, trauma informed care, Gottman's couples Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, somatic therapy, mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Family Systems therapy. Other practices include music/sound therapy, career and academic counseling, life coaching, mind and body connection, specializations in immigrant issues, multicultural issues, gender identity issues, LGTBQI issues, chronic illness and medical issues counseling, blended family issues, intergenerational issues, social justice issues, neurodivergent issue (ADHD, autism, sensory issues).
I support adults and teens who are navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, or overwhelming life experiences. My training includes EMDR, TF-CBT, CBT, and mindfulness-based approaches, and I focus on helping clients reduce distress, build resilience, and feel more grounded and empowered. As a bilingual English/Farsi therapist and immigrant, I value cultural sensitivity, identity awareness, and creating a non-judgmental space where clients can explore their experiences safely and authentically.
Growing up near a national park, I am consistently reminded of and influenced by the importance of nature on our physical, mental, and emotional health in my mental health practice. As an LMFT, I've worked with a variety of populations, most of whom experienced major trauma or complex trauma, and aid them in reconnecting to their sense of self and safety. I received my MS from California Lutheran University with a specialization in trauma and BA from CSU Chico. I have been licensed for 4 years and have provided therapy for the last 8 years including an associate and traineeship.
About our LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists in Santa Barbara, CA



- 100%LGBTQIA+
- 98%Anxiety
- 94%Depression
- 90%Stress management
- 86%Trauma

- 98%Aetna
- 75%Cigna
- 75%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 74%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 64%Blue Shield of California

- 97%English
- 16%Spanish
- 2%Farsi
- 1%Mandarin
- 1%French

- 90%Online only
- 10%In-person or online

- 73%Woman
- 24%Man
- 3%Non-binary

- 45%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 29%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 10%Nurse Practitioner
- 8%Clinical Psychologist
- 7%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

- 100%Individual therapy
- 40%Family therapy
- 27%Couples therapy
- 17%Child or adolescent 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.
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