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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 2,494 licensed therapists with availability as soon as tomorrow.

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 8 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
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
Carrie Likeness

Carrie Likeness

Therapist

Virtual & in-person • 6.3 mi away • Felton, CA


Do you carry the weight of your responsibilities home? Does it impact your relationships, your sense of peace, or your ability to recognize yourself beneath the demands of daily life? Growth and healing take courage, and I admire your willingness to prioritize your well-being.

My practice focuses on three areas:

• Individuals in high-pressure helping and public service professions, including first responders and those working in EMS, Fire, Law Enforcement, Corrections, Dispatch, Judicial settings, Healthcare, Mental Health, and Education. My dual Master’s degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy and Trauma & Related Conflict, combined with lived experience, allow me to offer a culturally informed understanding of the unique challenges these roles carry. Together, we address operational stress, strengthen resilience, and support sustainable well-being.

• Adults navigating identity, authenticity, creativity, and life transitions, including LGBTQ+ individuals and those seeking to reconnect with themselves, clarify their values, and build lives that feel meaningful and aligned.

• Older adolescents and emerging adults preparing for graduation and the transition into college, vocational paths, or adulthood as they explore who they are, what matters to them, and how they want to move through the next chapter of their lives.

LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Chronic conditions
Affirming, Empowering, Open-minded
Accepts 5 insurance carriers
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
Belinda Rubalcava

Belinda Rubalcava

Therapist

Virtual & in-person • 16 mi away • Watsonville, CA


I bring more than 20 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, young adults, and families from diverse cultural backgrounds. I received my Master of Social Welfare from UCLA, and my work in group homes, schools, and community-based nonprofits has shaped my understanding of how emotional, academic, cultural, and environmental factors influence well-being.

I specialize in working with Latino and bilingual families, and I strive to create a space where clients feel seen, respected, and understood.

LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder
Humorous, Open-minded, Warm
Accepts 10 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
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 10 insurance carriers
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
Samuel Khanukayev

Samuel Khanukayev

Therapist

Virtual & in-person • San Francisco, CA


“Multicultural and bilingual elements of my identity, and a history of enduring ethnic discrimination and immigration, significantly inform how I listen to my clients...”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder
Challenging, Inquisitive, Warm
Accepts 1 insurance carrier

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
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 2 insurance carriers
Cristina LaFarre

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
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 10 insurance carriers
Kristina Kenyon

Kristina Kenyon

Therapist

Virtual & in-person • San Francisco, CA


“I strive to be the kind of therapist I would want—compassionate, relatable, and actively engaged in the process.”
LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Depression, Family issues, Men's issues
Inquisitive, Participatory, Warm
Accepts 2 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
Trudy McMahon

Trudy McMahon

Therapist

Virtual & in-person • Berkeley, CA


“I am somatically orientated and trauma focused. My background is in substance misuse/harm reduction and chronic long term mental ill health.”
LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Depression, Eating disorders, Family issues
Empowering, Humorous, Warm
Accepts 2 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
Barbara Kenerson

Barbara Kenerson

Psychiatric Mental Health NP

Virtual • Orange, CA


“My approach is thoughtful, evidence-based, and personalized—focusing on long-term stability and emotional clarity through a carefully tailored treatment plan.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder
Empowering, Holistic, Participatory
Accepts 6 insurance carriers
Michael Stanton

Michael Stanton

Psychologist

Virtual • California


“My style is warm, collaborative, and goal-oriented, and I work with each client to build on their strengths while creating meaningful, lasting change.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder
Affirming, Empowering, Warm
Accepts 2 insurance carriers
Maija Slisco

Maija Slisco

Therapist

Virtual • California


“I bring both professional training and a lifetime of personal experience to my work, which helps me approach therapy with empathy, curiosity, and attunement.”
LGBTQIA+, Chronic conditions, Depression, End of life care, Grief or loss
Affirming, Empowering, Inquisitive
Accepts 8 insurance carriers
Joy Gamble

Joy Gamble

Therapist

Virtual • California


Greetings

Joy Gamble is a licensed psychotherapist with over 30 years in the field . During that time she has had the privilege of helping many different kinds of people from very diverse backgrounds and with all kinds of challenges.

Currently she is focused on issues related to depression and trauma as well as parent coaching/support and working with older adults.

LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Bipolar disorder, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression
Direct, Solution-oriented, Warm
Accepts 5 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
Eleanor Raymond

Eleanor Raymond

Therapist

Virtual • California


Hi I'm Eleanor! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California and New Mexico. I am passionate about empowering people to build self-trust and self-acceptance. Most of my clients come to therapy because they want to make a change or cope with a change that they did not choose.

LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Chronic conditions, Depression, Family issues
Affirming, Empowering, Open-minded
Accepts 7 insurance carriers
Ronald Sumrall

Ronald Sumrall

Therapist

Virtual • Sacramento, CA


“I believe therapy is a collaborative process, and I want you to feel heard, understood, and respected from the very beginning.”
LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression, Identity issues
Open-minded, Solution-oriented, Warm
Accepts 5 insurance carriers
Kristine Johnson

Kristine Johnson

Psychiatric Mental Health NP

Virtual • Anderson, CA


“I take an approach of treating the whole person. I believe good mental health involves several factors, including physical health, sleep, nutrition, and social support.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder
Holistic, Open-minded, Warm
Accepts 6 insurance carriers
Araceli Hurst

Araceli Hurst

Therapist

Virtual • California


“Healing happens within a trusting therapeutic relationship. My priority is to create an environment where you feel respected, accepted, and comfortable being yourself.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder
Empowering, Open-minded, Solution-oriented
Accepts 7 insurance carriers
Cassandra Scott

Cassandra Scott

Therapist

Virtual • California


“My style is warm, direct, and collaborative. I believe therapy works best when it feels like a genuine partnership.”
LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Chronic conditions, Family issues, Physical health issues
Empowering, Holistic, Solution-oriented
Accepts 8 insurance carriers
Shannen Mosqueda

Shannen Mosqueda

Therapist

Virtual • California


“I am Filipino-American mental health professional with a warm, culturally sensitive, and narrative-focused approach.”
LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression
Affirming, Empowering, Warm
Accepts 7 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
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
Fran Vanbockel

Fran Vanbockel

Therapist

Virtual • California


“My approach to therapy is holistic, strengths-based, and collaborative. I believe each person already has inner strengths they can build on...”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Chronic conditions
Affirming, Open-minded, Solution-oriented
Accepts 4 insurance carriers
Kyra Shapiro Gutierrez

Kyra Shapiro Gutierrez

Therapist

Virtual • California


“My philosophy is "make it functional." Together, we identify what is interrupting your day or creating dysfunction, and take realistic, step-by-step approaches to improve your ability to manage and move through daily life more effectively.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Bipolar disorder, Depression
Affirming, Challenging, Open-minded
Accepts 7 insurance carriers
Dr. Abner Flores

Dr. Abner Flores

Psychologist

Virtual • California


Welcome!

Please message me for my availability!

My goal is to create safety, trust, and openness on your path to healing. I have been practicing for over 10 years and firmly believe that wellness is your investment in yourself.

Mi objetivo es generar seguridad, confianza y sinceridad en tu camino hacia la sanación. He estado ejerciendo la profesión durante más de 10 años y creo firmemente que el bienestar es una inversión en ti mismo.

LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, Chronic conditions
Empowering, Open-minded, Warm
Accepts 11 insurance carriers
Robert Ryan

Robert Ryan

Therapist

Virtual • Agoura Hills, CA


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.

LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Anxiety, Depression, End of life care
Empowering, Holistic, Solution-oriented
Accepts 7 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
Dr. Brian Wise

Dr. Brian Wise

Therapist

Virtual • California


I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of New Orleans. As an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, I support clients in exploring intimacy, identity, and relationships with care and openness. I strive to honor your values, culture, and lived experience so you feel respected, understood, and empowered throughout our work together.

LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Anxiety, Chronic conditions, Depression
Affirming, Challenging, Participatory
Accepts 4 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
Airy Ramirez

Airy Ramirez

Therapist

Virtual • California


“Through our collaborative work, clients can expect to gain valuable self-insights, develop practical coping strategies, and build emotional resilience.”
LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Anxiety, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression
Challenging, Empowering, Open-minded
Accepts 8 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
Patricia Gutierrez

Patricia Gutierrez

Therapist

Virtual • California


“My practice centers on trauma and PTSD, identity and gender affirming care, and the lived experiences of women and LGBTQIA+ individuals.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Chronic conditions
Direct, Open-minded, Solution-oriented
Accepts 7 insurance carriers
Nadine Mejia

Nadine Mejia

Therapist

Virtual • California


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.

LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Chronic conditions
Empowering, Open-minded, Warm
Accepts 11 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
Nadra Rachell

Nadra Rachell

Therapist

Virtual • California


“I believe therapy can be a powerful space to slow down, feel seen, and reconnect with yourself during life's most challenging moments.”
LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression
Affirming, Creative, Open-minded
Accepts 5 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
Taylor Alderson

Taylor Alderson

Therapist

Virtual • California


“My goal is to create an empathic space for self-reflection and acceptance resulting in transformed relationship to self and others.”
LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Grief or loss, PTSD, Relationship issues
Affirming, Holistic, Warm
Accepts 3 insurance carriers
Rosealinda Carrillo

Rosealinda Carrillo

Therapist

Virtual • California


“I'm passionate about decolonizing therapy and creating a space that honors culture, identity, and the intersection of both.”
LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Chronic conditions, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression
Humorous, Open-minded, Warm
Accepts 5 insurance carriers
Carrie Thompson

Carrie Thompson

Therapist

Virtual • California


“I believe therapy should be practical, compassionate, and tailored to each person's strengths, goals, and lived experiences.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Depression
Affirming, Open-minded, Solution-oriented
Accepts 7 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book
Michelle Balke

Michelle Balke

Therapist

Virtual • California


“I conduct a thorough intake at the first appointment and also provide tips, techniques, and resources to support the client in feeling better...”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Chronic conditions
Empowering, Holistic, Warm
Accepts 5 insurance carriers
Victoria Sanchez

Victoria Sanchez

Therapist

Virtual • California


“I believe therapy should be a space where you feel heard, understood, and supported without judgment.”
LGBTQIA+, ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression
Open-minded, Solution-oriented, Warm
Accepts 7 insurance carriers
Barbara Jean Douglass

Barbara Jean Douglass

Therapist

Virtual • Eureka, CA


I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and PhD with 25 years experience working with adults, children and youth. My goal is to help you in your path towards feeling better, and experiencing an improved sense of confidence, self-esteem and functioning in your life. My specialties include adoption issues, LGBTQ issues and women's issues. I also specialize in depression, anxiety, elderly issues, disability, and stress reduction.

LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Chronic conditions, Cultural & ethnic issues, Depression
Affirming, Empowering, Warm
Accepts 7 insurance carriers

Offers free consultationsView profile and book

Frequently asked questions

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Find the right LGBTQ-friendly therapy provider for you

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