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LGBT therapists in Skokie, IL


Top LGBT-friendly therapists and psychiatrists in Skokie, IL
Finding an open-minded, warm therapist in Skokie who gets LGBTQIA+ mental health matters is easier with Headway. Access 756 providers specializing in gender and sexual identity support, with free consultations available and appointments as soon as tomorrow.
If you're an adult navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD or relationship stress — and maybe feeling like
no one quite understands where you're coming from — you're in the right place. I've been
practicing for 15 years across community and clinical settings, working with adults and older
adults on mood, relationships, and the weight of everyday life. I'm bilingual in English and
Spanish, have lived abroad, and genuinely enjoy working with people from a wide
range of cultural backgrounds. You don't have to explain your world to me — I'm here to
understand it.
Hi, I’m Pamela — a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a passion for supporting young and older adults, women, and families as they navigate life’s transitions, challenges, and opportunities for growth.
I come from an urban community and understand the importance of feeling seen, supported, and understood — especially when you’re working to create a better future for yourself and your family. That perspective is at the heart of my work. I provide a compassionate, non-judgmental space where you can show up as your full self. Whether you’re facing anxiety, relationship challenges, identity concerns, or self-esteem struggles, I’ll Walk beside you as you find clarity and confidence.
As a licensed clinical social worker, I've spent my career working alongside people
who've often felt unseen, underserved, or unsupported by the systems meant to help
them. I specialize in working with adolescents and adults in marginalized communities
navigating identity, mental health, relationships, and trauma. My approach is
grounded in genuine curiosity about who you are, not just what brings you in. You'll
find a space built on empathy and empowerment, where you can show up exactly as
you are. I'd love to connect.
You shouldn’t have to spend half of therapy explaining your disability, neurodivergence, or why certain things are harder for you than they might be for someone else. I’m a totally blind therapist, and I specialize in working with disabled and neurodivergent people. My approach is disability-affirming and neurodivergent-affirming, which means I’m not here to teach you how to mask better or treat parts of who you are as something that needs to be fixed. I want therapy to be a place where you can be yourself and feel understood. I also work with people dealing with anxiety, burnout, major life changes, difficult relationships, and complex family dynamics. A lot of my work focuses on things like boundaries, self-advocacy, confidence, emotional regulation, and figuring out how to navigate relationships or systems that don’t always understand your needs. I especially enjoy working with people who have spent a lot of their lives feeling misunderstood. I also work with parents and caregivers of disabled and neurodivergent children who are dealing with stress, advocacy, changing family roles, or simply trying to balance caring for someone else with taking care of themselves. My style is warm, straightforward, and collaborative. I’m not going to sit silently and expect you to figure everything out on your own. We’ll talk things through, look at what is and isn’t working, and find practical strategies that actually make sense for your life. Whether you’ve been disabled your whole life, are adjusting to a new diagnosis or disability, are trying to better understand your neurodivergence, or are dealing with complicated family or relationship dynamics, you don’t have to have everything figured out before reaching out.
I specialize in helping adults who live with trauma, anxiety, depression, and OCD. I draw from ACT, EMDR, embodiment practices, and parts work, and I am neurodivergent‐friendly and LGBTQIA+ affirming. I also have experience supporting clients through psychosis, grief, chronic health issues, spiritual trauma, eating disorders, and substance use disorders.
At the core of my work is a belief that every person has the capacity to choose who they become. As Jean‐Paul Sartre wrote, “We are constantly creating ourselves through action.” I see therapy as a space where you can explore that creation with support, clarity, and intention.
Hi, my name is Dr. Mark Aghakhan and I am a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in a variety of therapeutic, educative, consultative, and evaluative services. I utilize interventions that best match my client’s style and approach toward everyday challenges.
I have provided counseling services for over 20 years, helping clients work through trauma, PTSD, anxiety, panic, stress, family challenges, and women’s issues. I specialize in supporting people who feel stuck in painful memories, overwhelmed by anxiety, or disconnected from themselves after difficult life experiences. My approach is compassionate, non-judgmental, and deeply respectful of each person’s story. I believe healing often involves more than traditional talk therapy, which is why I incorporate approaches that support the mind, body, and spirit. I am an EMDRIA Certified Therapist and a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and I use EMDR, somatic therapy, attachment-based therapy, interpersonal therapy, and other trauma-informed approaches to help clients move toward relief and healing. When we work together, you can expect a caring space where you are accepted as you are and supported at a pace that feels safe.
I approach therapy in a collaborative and compassionate way, creating a safe space where clients can feel supported as they explore their inner world. I believe that each client is the expert of their own life, and my role is to guide, support, and provide tools to help you connect with your strengths and insights. My work is trauma-informed and integrates a variety of techniques, including internal family systems, somatic methods, inner child work, strengths-based narratives, CBT, experiential approaches, and clinical hypnosis.
I’m Annmarie O’Connell, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals through some of life’s toughest moments. My background is rooted in community mental health, where I’ve worked with people from all walks of life dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, and major life transitions.
I’m also trained in Brainspotting, a powerful therapeutic technique that taps into the brain-body connection to help clients process and release deeply held emotional pain. This approach, along with my real-world experience, allows me to support clients in a holistic, meaningful way. My work is deeply personal to me—because I’ve experienced firsthand how life-changing therapy can be.
About our LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists located within 20 miles of Skokie, IL



- 100%LGBTQIA+
- 97%Stress management
- 97%Anxiety
- 97%Depression
- 92%Relationship issues

- 100%Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
- 97%Aetna
- 85%Cigna
- 85%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 72%Ascension Health Plan

- 97%English
- 13%Spanish
- 3%Arabic
- 3%Polish
- 3%Yoruba

- 100%In-person or online

- 69%Woman
- 31%Man

- 46%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 36%Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
- 10%Clinical Psychologist
- 5%Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
- 3%Full Practice Authority Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

- 100%Individual therapy
- 38%Family therapy
- 31%Couples therapy
- 26%Child or adolescent therapy
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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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