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LGBT therapists in Peoria, IL


Top LGBT-friendly therapists and psychiatrists in Peoria, IL
LGBTQIA+ individuals in Peoria can access inclusive mental health support through Headway's diverse provider network of 835 licensed professionals. We offer talk therapy and medication management with providers who bring warmth, cultural competency, and solution-focused care to help you thrive authentically.
Hi, I’m Dr. Linda Wickens, a doctoral-level therapist and coach who works with individuals navigating stress, life transitions, relationship challenges, and patterns that keep them feeling stuck while preventing forward movement and growth. Many of my clients are high-functioning on the outside but feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or frustrated that change feels harder than it should.
Therapy and coaching with me are never one-size-fits-all. We work collaboratively to create a plan that is specific to you, your goals, and your capacity, adjusting pace and structure as your needs evolve. I focus on helping clients understand their patterns, build emotional awareness, and develop practical skills they can actually use in daily life.
I hold a Doctorate in Social Work and am a fully licensed clinical social worker, with over nine years of experience in the mental health field. My work integrates evidence-based therapy with a coaching-informed lens when appropriate, allowing sessions to be both supportive and goal-oriented while still making space to explore the past and its impact on the present.
Clients often describe my style as warm, direct, and collaborative. As part of my concierge model, clients work directly with me rather than an assistant, and I remain accessible to my clients outside of sessions through secure communication when needed. I believe growth happens through understanding, compassion, and honest conversation, and that progress is most sustainable when care feels personal, intentional, and consistent.
Please Note: I do not provide couples or marriage counseling. I do not treat adolescents under the age of 21. Additionally, I am not able to treat clients who are experiencing active suicidal ideation or self-harm behaviors. If these services are needed, I encourage seeking a provider who specializes in these areas or contacting appropriate crisis resources if immediate support is required.
With over 20 years of clinical experience, I bring a compassionate, understanding and results-driven approach to therapy. My education began at Chicago State University where I received bachelor's degree and Jane Addams College of Social Work where I received my masters. I specialize in helping individuals navigate anxiety, depression, mood, and personality disorders with clarity and confidence. Together, we’ll build practical tools and deeper insight so you can feel more in control and live your best life.
Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read about my professional background.
I graduated with my bachelor's in social work in 2013 from MacMurray College in Jacksonville IL.
I furthered my education at the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign School of Social Work and graduated with my Masters in SW in 2017.
I have gained 13 years of experience with the majority of those years spent in psychiatric facilities for children and adults.
I specialize in motivational interviewing, DBT, CBT, and a multitude of other treatment styles.
Hello, I’m Shelia Ransom Jenkins, MSW, LCSW, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience supporting adolescents, adults, couples, and families through life’s challenges. I offer a compassionate, trauma-informed, and client-centered approach to therapy, creating a safe space where individuals feel heard, supported, and empowered.
I hold a Master of Social Work and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, and my professional background includes work in community mental health, educational settings, and clinical leadership roles. I have experience helping clients manage anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, relationship and family conflict, behavioral concerns, life transitions, and stress related to work, school, and personal growth. I also have specialized training in perinatal mental health, supporting individuals experiencing postpartum depression and related mood disorders.
My therapeutic approach integrates evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trauma-informed care, and strengths-based interventions, tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals. I believe therapy is most effective when it is collaborative, practical, and rooted in trust.
Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, navigating a difficult transition, or seeking deeper self-understanding, my goal is to support you with empathy, clarity, and encouragement as you work toward healing and lasting change.
Hi there, my name is Lee. I am a bi-racial, first-generation Vietnamese-American, and I believe the best therapy happens when we bring our full, authentic selves into the room. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. I have a passion for working with couples and diverse populations. My goal is to truly understand and connect, offering a space filled with warmth, radical acceptance, clear accountability, and—fair warning—the occasional painful dad joke.
Something feels off, and you cannot quite name it. Maybe anxiety is keeping you up at night. Or depression has made even simple things feel impossible. Or ADHD has been quietly driving your life for years. Whatever you are carrying, you deserve care that holds all of it. I'm Wytonya, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with more than 20 years of experience, offering psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and supportive therapy in one relationship,
Welcome! Join me on a journey to reclaim your sense of self, direction and empowerment. As a person who has struggled with life's hardships, I am compeled to help others in these difficult times. My credentials include; Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC), Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADC) and an Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional (ICDVP).
Hi, I’m Cherie. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and EMDR-trained therapist. I work with teens and adults who are feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. Maybe you're constantly on edge, overthinking everything, or finding it hard to slow down. Or maybe you’ve been feeling flat, unmotivated, or like you're just going through the motions. These experiences often trace back to things your nervous system picked up on — ways it learned to protect you in stressful or painful situations.
I help people work through painful memories, low self-esteem, and the weight of depression—like feeling numb, exhausted, stuck, or hard on yourself. We'll explore the parts of you carrying that pain and move at a pace that feels right, whether you're ready for deep healing or just need a safe place to land.
If you’re feeling ready—or just curious—I’d be honored to support you on your healing path.
Outside of therapy, I love curling up with a good book, finding design inspiration (I have a soft spot for cozy interiors), caring for my houseplants, and spending time with my dog, Magnolia Grace—who may occasionally drop in for a virtual session cameo.
Everyone needs help sometimes, not because they are broken, but because life can become too heavy to sort through alone. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who believes every person should have access to support that helps them rise to new challenges, cope with loss, manage the ups and downs of mood, and better understand who they are. I work with adults navigating grief and loss, anxiety, depression, stress, mood changes, life transitions, relationship issues, PTSD, trauma and the feeling of being stuck or disconnected from themselves. My goal is to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can feel supported while we make sense of what you are carrying and create a path toward living your best life.
⭐ I’m Shelly Lewin, LCSW/LICSW, a therapist with 31 years of experience helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, identity issues, and major life transitions. I provide virtual therapy across Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, New Mexico, and West Virginia, offering accessible, evidence‐based care to clients seeking meaningful and lasting change. I have 30+ years of experience in private practice and leadership roles at organizations including:
- The Joint Commission
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital
- Kaiser Permanente
- Common Spirit
- Mount Sinai Health System
This background allows me to offer deep clinical expertise paired with practical, real‐world understanding of how people heal and grow. My approach is warm, collaborative, open‐minded, and affirming. If you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or ready for change, I’m here to walk beside you with steady support and clinically grounded guidance. I specialize in therapy for adults experiencing:
- Anxiety & panic disorders
- Depression & mood disorders
- PTSD and trauma recovery
- Substance use and addiction
- LGBTQIA+ affirmative care
- Men’s issues & identity exploration
- Life and career transitions
- Chronic illness & long-term stress
Additional areas of expertise include: Bipolar disorder, OCD, grief & loss, workplace stress, anger management, cultural/ethnic identity issues, expat adjustment, relationship issues, family challenges, and end-of-life concerns
I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Benedictine University. I have been working in private practice for over 10 years, helping adolescents and adults navigate life’s challenges and create meaningful, lasting change.
My areas of specialization include trauma and couples counseling, and I have a particular passion for working with women. I understand that women often carry many different roles and responsibilities, and sometimes lose sight of their own needs in the process. I enjoy helping women work through anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, life transitions, and the many unexpected circumstances that can leave us feeling stuck or overwhelmed.
I have over 3 decades of experience working in the fields of mental health and social work. I work with youth, adults, and couples who are struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, relationship issues, and school refusal.
I have spent my career learning and translating theories into practice with individuals, families, couples, and groups. For the last few years, I've gained deeper knowledge working with trauma, anxiety, couples, and the LGBTQIA+ population.
Hi, I’m Gretchen, a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP, ANCC) with a Master of Science in Nursing from Lewis University. I work with individuals, teens, and families navigating anxiety, depression, trauma/PTSD, ADHD, and substance use concerns, providing care in both English and Spanish. I bring experience from emergency departments, inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and private practice, and I strive to create a safe, judgment-free space where clients feel heard, respected, and supported. I value collaboration and flexibility, tailoring each session to your needs so you can feel empowered to make meaningful changes.
About our LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists in Peoria, IL



- 100%LGBTQIA+
- 98%Anxiety
- 95%Depression
- 92%Stress management
- 86%Relationship issues

- 99%Aetna
- 95%Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
- 86%Cigna
- 85%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 66%Ascension

- 99%English
- 7%Spanish
- 1%Hindi
- 1%French
- 1%Urdu

- 86%Online only
- 14%In-person or online

- 73%Woman
- 23%Man
- 4%Non-binary

- 49%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 32%Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
- 5%Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
- 5%Clinical Psychologist
- 4%Full Practice Authority Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

- 99%Individual therapy
- 39%Family therapy
- 29%Couples therapy
- 18%Child or adolescent therapy
Frequently asked questions


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