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LGBT therapists in Santa Monica, CA


Top LGBT-friendly therapists and psychiatrists in Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica's vibrant LGBTQIA+ community deserves mental health care that truly understands their experiences. Headway offers flexible, judgment-free sessions with providers experienced in supporting gender identity, sexual orientation, and community-specific challenges. With 70+ insurance plans accepted, quality affirming care is more accessible than ever.
Hi, I’m Angela Phillips, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and owner of Lotus Healing and Wellness. I help teens and adults navigate trauma, anxiety, identity exploration, relationship challenges, emotional overwhelm, and life transitions through trauma-informed, inclusive, and affirming therapy, with a special commitment to supporting women and the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live as their truest, most authentic self. I also believe we all have the capacity to transform our lives, though sometimes we need support, guidance, and a safe space to begin that process. I know what it feels like to believe you have to hide parts of yourself or become someone else in order to be loved or accepted, and that understanding deeply shapes the way I show up as a therapist.
My goal is to help you reconnect with yourself, heal the patterns and survival strategies that no longer serve you, and create a life that feels more authentic, grounded, and emotionally fulfilling.
I have 15 years of experience as a therapist. You are all so unique. I love hearing each person's story. It enables me to be more specific in sessions. I like to work collaboratively. I want to know what you need at this point in your life. I welcome feedback. I attended U.S.C. as an undergrad and I attended California State University Los Angeles for my Masters degree in Psychology. I think everyone deserves to be happy. If I can be of assistance to you, that is my goal.
I'm a psychiatric nurse practitioner based in California, and I built my practice around being a true advocate for the people I work with. I trained in both medication management and therapy, and I find that care is most effective when those two things work together. Whether you are managing a mood disorder, navigating anxiety or depression, or figuring out the right psychiatric medications, I take time to understand you as a whole person, not just a list of symptoms. My goal is for every client to feel genuinely heard, supported, and in control of their own mental health journey.
I’m Thomas Moore, LPCC, a licensed professional clinical counselor providing therapy for individuals navigating anxiety, trauma, emotional overwhelm, identity development, and complex relational patterns. Many of the people I work with feel stuck in repeating cycles such as overthinking, people pleasing, emotional shutdown, intense reactions, or difficulty maintaining stable relationships even when they logically understand what they should do. My goal is to help you translate insight into real change.
My approach is structured and compassionate. I integrate evidence based methods including cognitive restructuring, emotional regulation training, interpersonal effectiveness skills, and trauma informed therapy. Sessions focus on understanding why your brain reacts the way it does and building practical tools you can actually use outside the therapy room. This is not only about talking through problems but learning how to respond differently when they show up in real life.
I work well with clients who want more than passive support and are ready to build skills, increase self awareness, and interrupt patterns that no longer serve them.
What clients should know before starting
Therapy with me is collaborative and active and you will learn strategies rather than only venting. We will work on understanding both the emotional and neurological side of your reactions. Sessions focus on present day functioning while also addressing past experiences that still affect you. I may gently challenge patterns when it supports growth while maintaining a supportive and respectful space. Progress often comes from small repeated changes rather than sudden breakthroughs.
If you are looking for therapy that combines validation with practical change, we will likely work well together.
Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over nine years of experience helping individuals and families navigate life’s emotional challenges and difficult issues. Therapy can feel intimidating at first, but you don’t have to navigate the journey alone. I am here to support and guide you through a process that can be rewarding and beneficial towards growth, healing, and developing a deeper understanding of yourself.
I believe therapy works best when you feel genuinely heard, and that is something I take seriously. My professional experience working in healthcare, addiction, and homelessness has deepened my understanding of the complex social, cultural and systemic factors that impact mental health and well-being. I am an advocate for human rights and stand with those who have faced oppression, discrimination, and social injustice in a world that works against you.
I’m Elba Alvarado, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. My work is rooted in the belief that healing begins in relationships — with ourselves, with others, and with the stories we carry. I hold space for people navigating the quiet weight of expectations, the complexity of identity, and the patterns that shape how we show up in the world.
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Vanguard University and my Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University and I have been providing therapy since 2018.
Hi, I’m Digna, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist dedicated to creating a supportive and safe space where clients will feel heard and understood. I work with adolescents and adults of all ages in navigating anxiety, stress, life transitions, relationship challenges, and emotional overwhelm. I also have vast experience working with individuals who have co-occuring disorders, developmental disabilities and cognitive delays servicing mild to moderate clients.
I work with teens, adults, and couples. I believe that true wellness comes from integrating all aspects of ourselves—spiritual, social, emotional, intellectual, physical, and creative. As a California-certified sexual assault counselor, fully trained in EMDR and Brainspotting, I provide trauma-informed care with empathy and expertise. I also specialize in psychedelic therapy preparation and integration, guiding clients through their profound journeys with care and intention.
I have a warm demeanor and am also able to challenge your beliefs or behaviors that are not serving you based on your needs and wants in life. I have been working in the mental health field for over 9 years and have worked in different levels of care such as inpatient psychiatric, outpatient clinics and individual therapy.
Hi, I’m Dr. Jackie, a licensed marriage and family therapist. I believe healing happens when people feel truly seen, safe, and understood. I work with individuals, couples, and teens navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and rooted in helping you reconnect with your strengths and move forward with clarity and hope.
My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable, heard, and supported. I am open-minded, easy to talk to, and strive to build genuine connections that make therapy feel more like a conversation than an interview. Many people describe me as someone who feels familiar, like they’ve known me for years. I believe in using humor, collaboration, and practical strategies to help navigate life’s challenges while honoring each person’s culture, experiences, and values.
About our LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists located within 20 miles of Santa Monica, CA



- 100%LGBTQIA+
- 100%Anxiety
- 96%Relationship issues
- 94%Depression
- 91%Stress management

- 98%Aetna
- 60%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 51%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 40%Cigna
- 40%Providence Health Plan

- 96%English
- 15%Spanish
- 4%Armenian
- 4%Portuguese
- 2%Farsi

- 100%In-person or online

- 55%Woman
- 43%Man
- 2%Non-binary

- 58%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 21%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 9%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- 6%Clinical Psychologist
- 6%Nurse Practitioner

- 100%Individual therapy
- 42%Family therapy
- 26%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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