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LGBT therapists in Bethesda, MD


Top LGBT-friendly therapists and psychiatrists in Bethesda, MD
Finding an LGBTQIA+-affirming therapist in Bethesda is easier with Headway's diverse network of 656 licensed providers. Whether you're exploring identity, navigating relationships, or addressing mental health, our warm and empowering providers are available for free consultations and sessions as soon as next day.
I am licensed in both MD and OR. I do not believe in an ideal client. As humans, we are all unique and need different things to thrive, so I will work with you and your experiences to help you be your ideal self. Your experiences do not have to define you but can aid in personal growth in one way or another. If you are open to self-exploration with a mix-bag of feedback, I believe we can work well together. This journey is not always a pretty one but can be rewarding. I am able to assist my clients by providing a safe space for exploration to allow my clients to go through their feelings. At times I am able to help clients name their feelings, but I am just a passenger, supporting safe travel through an emotional/ mental outing.Allow me to help you through your next adventure, where you learn more about your strengths and abilities. At times, your dislikes are also your strengths.
Seeking support can feel like a big step, and I'm glad you're here. My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable being yourself—without judgment, pressure, or the need to have everything figured out. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood changes, trauma, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges, we'll work together to help you move toward healing and balance.
I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. I provide comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and supportive therapy using an evidence-based, holistic approach. I believe mental health is about more than managing symptoms—it's about improving your overall quality of life and helping you thrive.
My clients often describe me as warm, humorous, open-minded, energetic, and easy to talk to. I also believe in being direct, honest, and solution-oriented because I know that meaningful growth comes from combining compassion with practical strategies. I enjoy helping people recognize their strengths, build resilience, and develop skills they can use long after our sessions.
I work with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults experiencing a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD and trauma-related disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders. I also support clients navigating life transitions, grief, relationship challenges, stress, and emotional regulation.
I believe healing happens through collaboration, trust, and hope. Whether this is your first time seeking mental health care or you're continuing your journey, I'm here to meet you where you are and help you take the next step toward living a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Hi there! Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Samantha Scott, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Glad to meet you. I am an eclectic therapist who truly believes that everyone deserves a safe space to be heard. I work with adults of all ages, from 18 all the way up to 98 years young. No matter where you are in your life journey, I am here to meet you exactly as you are today.
I went to school for a long time to make sure I could give you the best support possible!
- Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice (Human Services focus)
- Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
In our sessions, I blend different tools like Solution-Focused Therapy, CBT, and Motivational Interviewing. This just means we will focus on your goals, look at how your thoughts affect your feelings, and find your inner strength to make a change.
I have experience supporting people with depression, anxiety, OCD, and trauma.
Hi, I’m Kia McMillion, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a passion for helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and achieve personal growth. With years of experience in mental health, I specialize in working with adults, using a strengths-based approach to empower my clients.
Dr. Shannon Howard is a highly sought-after professional counselor and CEO of SinClair McCoy, LLC. She serves as a sexual relationship specialist who focuses on assisting women and men with healing from childhood trauma surrounding sexual abuse.
Dr. Howard is also a a practitioner who focuses on the mental health care needs of first responders, law enforcement, healthcare workers, and government personnel.
Her extensive educational background consists of dual degrees in both Counseling and Clinical Psychology with a focus on Philosophy and Women’s Studies. She also possesses specialized training in trauma relating to the treatment of sex offenders and survivors of sexual assault.
She believes that every client is unique in their way and that each person’s story is different. This is the catalyst behind her coaching methodology. Using targeted strategies and personalized coaching approaches, she works with couples and individuals to help them transition from victim to victor.
Dr. Howard helps clients face their past trauma by uncovering and resolving the root issue, assessing desired outcomes, and implementing a plan of action that leads them toward living a more optimal life experience.
She is the author under the alias Sinclair McCoy of The Alternative book trilogy. She speaks nationally to the masses on a variety of topics including:
-Life After Sexual Abuse
-Finding Your Sexy After Sexual Abuse
-Regaining Your Body Trust
She is the owner of a private practice AND co-owner/ managing partner of a group practice in Maryland. She has been in the counseling field since 2002 and is passionate to serve a variety of clientele.
Her clients are located in the D. C. and MD states.
When was the last time you felt truly heard? Life can feel as though you're stuck in a maze without a map or sense of purpose. You may feel broken, alone, or depressed, but you're not. I've successfully helped clients work through challenges, learn effective coping skills, and view life in a realistic, positive way. I've helped clients with chronic illness maximize their quality of life. We'll set up a plan that meets your current needs, then empower you to reach your goals, together.
With over twenty-seven years of diverse nursing experience, particularly in Emergency Room and Mental Health settings, such as St. Elizabeth Hospital, Providence Hospital, and the Psychiatric Institute of Washington. These positions have equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of both clinical excellence and operational efficiency.
If you're carrying more than you'd like to admit right now, you've landed in the right place. I'm a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Maryland who works with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, and life transitions. I bring warmth, humor when it fits, and a genuinely judgment-free space to every session. Using CBT, DBT, and faithbased approaches, I meet you exactly where you are. I'd love to help you find your way forward.
Hi there, I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with several years of experience supporting individuals through emotional healing, self-discovery, and meaningful life transitions. My background includes working in both clinical and community-based settings, where I’ve supported adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and major life changes.
In addition to my clinical work, I am also a special education paraprofessional in the Montgomery County Public School system, where I have experience working with elementary- and adolescent-aged students. This role has deepened my understanding of child and adolescent development, learning differences, emotional regulation, and the unique challenges young people and their families often face.
I take a compassionate, relational, and culturally responsive approach to therapy. I integrate evidence-based practices with mindfulness, insight-oriented work, and practical coping tools, always tailoring treatment to each client’s unique history and goals. I believe therapy should feel safe, collaborative, and human, not clinical or judgmental.
As a therapist, I value honesty, warmth, and emotional depth. I work best with clients who want to better understand themselves, strengthen boundaries, heal old wounds, and build healthier relationships with others and with themselves. My goal is to help you feel more grounded, empowered, and aligned in your life.
Hi, my name is Jody and I would like to welcome you to Headway. As a therapist with many years of experience helping clients to navigate their unique journey I would like to make this process comfortable for you. Whether you are seeking support for a life transition, working through a past experience, or just want to better understand yourself, I will meet you where you are in your process.
I am committed to providing an inclusive and affirming environment for all clients. I welcome and support individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion or back round.
When I am not working I enjoy being out in nature, animals of all kinds, reading and crafting.
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, and my goal is to make that first step feel a little easier. I approach my work with warmth, compassion, and genuine curiosity about each person’s story. I support clients in gently unpacking the thoughts and experiences that may be contributing to anxiety and depression, while offering empathy and practical tools along the way. You don’t have to navigate this alone—we’ll work through it together.
About our LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists in Bethesda, MD



- 100%LGBTQIA+
- 98%Anxiety
- 96%Depression
- 90%Stress management
- 84%Trauma

- 99%Aetna
- 85%Cigna
- 82%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 69%CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- 60%Ascension

- 99%English
- 5%Spanish
- 3%French
- 1%Yoruba
- 1%Hindi

- 91%Online only
- 9%In-person or online

- 79%Woman
- 19%Man
- 2%Non-binary

- 41%Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Clinical
- 30%Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
- 23%Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
- 4%Clinical Psychologist
- 2%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist

- 99%Individual therapy
- 40%Family therapy
- 25%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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