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LGBT therapists in Santa Cruz, CA

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Top LGBT-friendly therapists and psychiatrists in Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz's vibrant LGBTQIA community deserves affirming mental health care. Headway provides access to warm, solution-oriented providers across the city who support your journey. Connect with 2,622 licensed therapists with availability as soon as tomorrow.

Marisa Abzug

Marisa Abzug

Therapist

Virtual & in-person • <1 mi away • Santa Cruz, CA


I have been a licensed MFT for 17 years and have worked in many settings including but not limited to: non-profit, community college, outpatient drug and alcohol treatment, group home and private practice. I got my Masters at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology and I’d definitely describe my orientation as eclectic and I honestly taylor my work to each client.

LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Family issues
Open-minded, Solution-oriented, Warm
Accepts 3 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
Daniel Christopher Dailey

Daniel Christopher Dailey

Therapist

Virtual & in-person • <1 mi away • Santa Cruz, CA


“In sessions, I combine emotional insight with practical skill-building so therapy feels both supportive and useful.”
LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, Cultural & ethnic issues
Affirming, Inquisitive, Solution-oriented
Accepts 9 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
Natalie Hanneman

Natalie Hanneman

Therapist

Virtual & in-person • <1 mi away • Santa Cruz, CA


“I can help you choose small shifts in your day and in your thoughts, shifts that allow you to move through your life with more acceptance and grace.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Cultural & ethnic issues
Holistic, Open-minded, Warm
Accepts 2 insurance carriers
Johnny Brown

Johnny Brown

Therapist

In-person • 19 mi away • Los Gatos, CA


“My approach is to help you identify what are the thoughts and behaviors that are keeping you from living your best life.”
LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Anxiety, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression
Affirming, Open-minded, Warm
Accepts 11 insurance carriers
Lauren Bittner

Lauren Bittner

Therapist

Virtual & in-person • 23 mi away • San Jose, CA


“I work with adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, trauma, identity, and the complex terrain of relationships and life transitions.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Family issues
Affirming, Open-minded, Warm
Accepts 3 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
Angela White Esau

Angela White Esau

Therapist

Virtual & in-person • 24 mi away • Santa Clara, CA


“I'm here to help you sort through the things that are difficult right now, and offer you a safe place to be open and honest without fear of judgment.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression
Affirming, Open-minded, Warm
Accepts 10 insurance carriers
Anna Porcalla

Anna Porcalla

Therapist

Virtual & in-person • 25 mi away • Gilroy, CA


“I focus on helping clients develop assertive communication & boundaries with themselves and those around them that can help improve their quality of life.”
LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, Chronic conditions
Empowering, Open-minded, Solution-oriented
Accepts 5 insurance carriers
Inhwa Byun

Inhwa Byun

Therapist

Virtual & in-person • 28 mi away • San Jose, CA


“She works with you to access your innate strengths, reveal coping styles, and, ultimately, deepen your understanding of the behavior patterns that keep you stuck.”
LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, Cultural & ethnic issues
Challenging, Empowering, Warm
Accepts 10 insurance carriers
Hannah Rudsten

Hannah Rudsten

Therapist

Virtual & in-person • Oakland, CA


For the past 20 years, I've worked across private practices, youth development centers, schools, and mental health clinics. My passion is to work with adults navigating major life transitions. Whether you are a college student or approaching retirement, my hope is to walk alongside you during this time of change and uncertainty; to help create the conditions for you to reconnect with your authentic self and remember what lights you up. We can explore ways to recognize and acknowledge your anxiety that moves beyond words. Incorporating expressive arts, guided imagery, and embodied exercises to help you strengthen your awareness with your emotions and rewrite old narratives.

LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Anxiety, Family issues, Identity issues
Empowering, Holistic, Warm
Accepts 1 insurance carrier

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
Katherine Mancera

Katherine Mancera

Therapist

Virtual & in-person • Oakland, CA


Anxiety and perfectionism have turned your mind into a battleground. Your inner critic nitpicks every interaction, leaving you exhausted by thoughts of “Damnit, why can’t I just be better!” Painful memories get louder, no matter how hard you try to ignore them. Daily invalidations of your Latina, queer, or immigrant identity sting, and you feel isolated as you keep your suffering to yourself. You’ve tried everything: doom scrolling, drinking, and self-help books, but nothing has worked. You're left feeling hopeless and weighed down.

LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression, Family issues
Empowering, Participatory, Warm
Accepts 1 insurance carrier
Andrea Bass

Andrea Bass

Therapist

Virtual & in-person • Pasadena, CA


“In our healing journey together, connection to our emotions, our body (somatic mindfulness), our creativity and life force brings deeper relationships with others and a greater connection to ourselves.”
LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Depression, Grief or loss, PTSD
Affirming, Empowering, Warm
Accepts 3 insurance carriers
Dr. Meghan Fuller

Dr. Meghan Fuller

Psychologist

Virtual & in-person • Oakland, CA


“My work is grounded in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic approaches, with careful attention to development, attachment, trauma, and the complexity of each individual's inner life.”
LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Chronic conditions, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression
Direct, Empowering, Warm
Accepts 3 insurance carriers
Cheri Hui-Meng Tsai

Cheri Hui-Meng Tsai

Therapist

Virtual & in-person • Berkeley, CA


“Through two humans interacting, it will increase self-knowledge, develop emotional skills and activate hidden potential.”
LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Anxiety, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression
Affirming, Inquisitive, Open-minded
Accepts 11 insurance carriers
Dr. Cristina LaFarre

Dr. Cristina LaFarre

Psychiatric Mental Health NP

Virtual & in-person • San Francisco, CA


“Seeking help for your mental health is a sign of strength, and I am proud of people who advocate for their well-being.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder
Holistic, Solution-oriented, Warm
Accepts 7 insurance carriers
Clementine Brown

Clementine Brown

Therapist

Virtual & in-person • San Francisco, CA


“I use a Liberation Psychology approach which means we often explore how we have internalized society's oppressive systems and how we can get you as free as possible from internalized and external forms of oppression.”
LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression, Family issues
Inquisitive, Open-minded, Warm
Accepts 2 insurance carriers
Jeff Hull

Jeff Hull

Therapist

Virtual • Chico, CA


“I believe every person has an innate capacity for healing, growth, and change, and that each person's path is uniquely their own.”
LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Depression, End of life care, Family issues
Affirming, Empowering, Warm
Accepts 3 insurance carriers
Maisha Robinson

Maisha Robinson

Therapist

Virtual • California


Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 16 years of experience helping people get unstuck. I specialize in supporting adolescents, men, and women navigating anxiety, depression, anger, grief, LGBTQIA+ concerns, and substance abuse. If you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious about your career, or eager to improve but lacking the tools to make it a reality, you are in the right place. Armed with a Doctorate in Social Work, my goal is to help you identify the root causes of your challenges and empower you to build a more balanced, fulfilling life.

LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Cultural & ethnic issues
Open-minded, Solution-oriented, Warm
Accepts 5 insurance carriers
Dr. Bruce Rays

Dr. Bruce Rays

Psychologist

Virtual • Carlsbad, CA


“With 32- years of very broad experience I can relate and assist you in raising your awareness and level of functioning.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, Chronic conditions, Cultural & ethnic issues
Holistic, Open-minded, Warm
Accepts 7 insurance carriers
Carmen Santillan

Carmen Santillan

Therapist

Virtual • California


I am a board‐certified clinical therapist with a strong foundation in narrative therapy, helping clients explore and reshape the stories that influence their lives. In recent years, I’ve supported children ages 5–17 as well as adults navigating a wide range of emotional experiences, including anxiety, depression, grief, and gender affirmation.

LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Anxiety, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression
Empowering, Solution-oriented, Warm
Accepts 7 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
Susan Hayatghaib

Susan Hayatghaib

Therapist

Virtual • California


“I believe each of us already carries the capacity to heal, and that the right support helps us find it.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder
Empowering, Holistic, Solution-oriented
Accepts 9 insurance carriers
Ronald Deming

Ronald Deming

Therapist

Virtual • California


“Finding the problems is the first step, then finding alternatives to the trouble those problems bring with them, thereby finding release and agency to change.”
LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, Chronic conditions, Cultural & ethnic issues
Affirming, Inquisitive, Warm
Accepts 8 insurance carriers
Adriana Marroquin

Adriana Marroquin

Therapist

Virtual • California


“My approach is warm, collaborative, and culturally aware. I create a safe, supportive space where you can be fully yourself...”
LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Anxiety, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression
Open-minded, Solution-oriented, Warm
Accepts 5 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
Nathalie Uriarte

Nathalie Uriarte

Therapist

Virtual • California


“I take a collaborative, strengths-based, and culturally responsive approach that considers the whole person and their unique experiences.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, Cultural & ethnic issues
Empowering, Holistic, Solution-oriented
Accepts 6 insurance carriers
Pamela Highfill

Pamela Highfill

Therapist

Virtual • California


“I believe in helping clients recognize their strengths while creating a safe, affirming, and nonjudgmental space for growth.”
LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Chronic conditions, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression
Affirming, Open-minded, Warm
Accepts 5 insurance carriers
Allison Gentz

Allison Gentz

Therapist

Virtual • San Francisco, CA


“Her therapeutic approach is collaborative, hands-on, and client-centered. Allison integrates evidence-based practices with clear, direct communication and practical tools clients can apply outside of sessions.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder
Challenging, Energetic, Solution-oriented
Accepts 4 insurance carriers
Lydia Stanton

Lydia Stanton

Therapist

Virtual • California


“I am a compassionate clinician with 25 years in private practice, described by clients as compassionate, direct and solutions focused.”
LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Chronic conditions, Depression, Family issues
Affirming, Participatory, Warm
Accepts 1 insurance carrier
Dr. Urania Acevedo

Dr. Urania Acevedo

Therapist

Virtual • California


“I believe therapy should be both compassionate and productive, and that genuine emotional growth flourishes when we balance evidence-based practices with a deeply authentic human connection.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression
Humorous, Open-minded, Participatory
Accepts 11 insurance carriers
Kevin Ross

Kevin Ross

Therapist

Virtual • Los Angeles, CA


“I help clients understand recurring emotional and relational patterns so they can move toward greater clarity, choice, and meaningful change.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Chronic conditions
Affirming, Direct, Solution-oriented
Accepts 5 insurance carriers
Carol Casal

Carol Casal

Therapist

Virtual • California


I HAVE 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE WORKING IN MENTAL HEALTH. I HAVE TRAVELED THE WORLD STUDYING CULTURES AND RELIGIONS AND HAVE A LIFETIME OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCES THAT GIVES ME A CLEAR INSIGHT INTO WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH. I WILL BE THERE FOR YOU 24/7 AND I ACTUALLY CARE. I AM INTERESTED IN YOU AS A WHOLE PERSON AND NOT JUST A CURRENT PROBLEM, MY GOAL IS TO GET YOU FEELING BETTER QUICKLY AND ENRICHING YOUR LIFE FOR A FUTURE FILLED WITH POTENTIAL AND JOY.

LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Anxiety, Depression, Family issues
Creative, Direct, Solution-oriented
Accepts 9 insurance carriers
Valderene DaPaixao Passos Waian

Valderene DaPaixao Passos Waian

Therapist

Virtual • California


“I strive to create a warm, welcoming environment that allows you to feel comfortable sharing and being vulnerable, while also feeling secure.”
LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Anxiety, Depression, Eating disorders
Holistic, Solution-oriented, Warm
Accepts 11 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
Dr. Jack Sample

Dr. Jack Sample

Psychologist

Virtual & in-person • Los Angeles, CA


I'm Dr. Jack Sample, a licensed clinical psychologist in Los Angeles offering psychodynamic, depth-oriented therapy at my office in Hollywood. My practice is informed by training and education in psychology, cultural anthropology, and nonfiction storytelling. I believe therapy is an opportunity to address the roots of suffering and support enduring change. My approach aims to cultivate capacities for thinking, feeling, and creativity to foster a greater sense of agency and aliveness.

LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder
Direct, Open-minded, Warm
Accepts 2 insurance carriers
Sima Aman

Sima Aman

Psychiatric Mental Health NP

Virtual • Irvine, CA


“Sima has vast experience and knowledge working with individuals of all ages that have moderate to severe psychiatric and mental health conditions.”
LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Anxiety, Depression, Stress management
Creative, Empowering, Solution-oriented
Accepts 6 insurance carriers
Conrad Mendoza

Conrad Mendoza

Therapist

Virtual • California


“My approach to therapy is very casual, but I want to make sure we are always moving toward our goals.”
LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Anxiety, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression
Affirming, Direct, Open-minded
Accepts 5 insurance carriers
Desiree Bickham

Desiree Bickham

Therapist

Virtual • California


“My passion is showing my clients how to believe in themselves while engaging their heart and mind to trust this therapy journey.”
LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Depression, Family issues, Relationship issues
Affirming, Empowering, Warm
Accepts 6 insurance carriers
Lisa Lichtenstein

Lisa Lichtenstein

Therapist

Virtual • California


I create a warm environment to work collaboratively on achieving your objectives. I've been a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for over 20 years. I specialize in relationships, anxiety, depression, fears/phobias, couples work, creativity, career enhancement among other goals. I have an eclectic treatment modality including psychodynamic, self-psychology, cognitive-behavioral, hypnotherapy and NLP.

LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Depression, End of life care, Family issues
Participatory, Solution-oriented, Warm
Accepts 2 insurance carriers
Joelle Maletis

Joelle Maletis

Therapist

Virtual • California


“Joelle is proactive, dynamic, & compassionate while addressing her client's individual needs. By offering a safe space, Joelle works with a diverse clientele that includes C-suite executives, active and retired military personnel, first responders,...”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder
Direct, Empowering, Inquisitive
Accepts 2 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
Tamra Smith

Tamra Smith

Therapist

Virtual • California


Hello, my name is Tamra Smith. I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Sacramento, CA. I have over 20 years of experience in the field of Mental Health Services, especially providing therapy and consultation. My practice name is Path to Wellbeing Therapy Services, and I truly lead each person on a path to their own emotional health and wellbeing.

LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, Depression
Affirming, Empowering, Holistic
Accepts 5 insurance carriers
Consuelo Gomez

Consuelo Gomez

Therapist

Virtual • California


“I believe everyone deserves a space where they can feel heard, understood, and supported without judgment.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder
Empowering, Open-minded, Warm
Accepts 7 insurance carriers
Miyoung Son

Miyoung Son

Therapist

Virtual • California


Reaching out for help can be challenging for many. As psychotherapy aims at positive changes you desire, I am honored to provide a safe place for your self-exploration and reflection in which you can gain your inner peace and change you long for. Being specialized in trauma, PTSD, sexual abuse and domestic violence, I can offer some resolution in your trauma work. Trauma can penetrate not only your emotional well-being but also almost every facet of your life.

LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Anxiety, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression
Empowering, Holistic, Open-minded
Accepts 10 insurance carriers
Joyce Carter

Joyce Carter

Therapist

Virtual • California


“I aim to help people to understand we all have the power to re-create ourselves and live our best lives.”
LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Panic disorders
Empowering, Humorous, Warm
Accepts 7 insurance carriers

About our LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists in Santa Cruz, CA

Number of therapists serving Santa Cruz, CA
There are over 2,555 therapists in Santa Cruz, CA accepting new patients.
2,555+
Average years in practice
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9 years
Top specialties offered
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  • 100%LGBTQIA+
  • 98%Anxiety
  • 94%Depression
  • 89%Stress management
  • 86%Trauma
Insurances accepted
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  • 98%Aetna
  • 80%Carelon Behavioral Health
  • 75%Cigna
  • 73%Anthem Blue Cross California
  • 64%Blue Shield of California
Languages spoken
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  • 97%English
  • 15%Spanish
  • 2%Farsi
  • 1%Mandarin
  • 1%Assamese
How they see their clients
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  • 89%Online only
  • 11%In-person or online
Provider gender
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  • 74%Woman
  • 24%Man
  • 3%Non-binary
License types
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  • 46%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
  • 29%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  • 9%Nurse Practitioner
  • 8%Clinical Psychologist
  • 7%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Treatment approaches
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  • 100%Individual therapy
  • 40%Family therapy
  • 28%Couples therapy
  • 17%Child or adolescent therapy

Frequently asked questions

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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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1 Cost may vary based on your location, age, and insurance coverage.