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LGBT therapists in Gaithersburg, MD


Top LGBT-friendly therapists and psychiatrists in Gaithersburg, MD
Gaithersburg's LGBTQIA+ individuals can access affirming talk therapy and medication management through Headway's extensive provider network of 626 licensed professionals. Sessions are available virtually or in-person, with many providers offering free consultations to help you find the right therapeutic fit for your needs.
I am a therapist based in Maryland, dedicated to helping Maryland individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges and build meaningful skills for growth. My path to this work began with a belief in the importance of accessible, evidence-based care for anyone seeking support—whether during difficult times or as part of personal development.
I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Psychology from UMBC in 2015 and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2016. My professional experience includes supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, working with transitional-age youth, providing outpatient therapy in community mental health, and serving Veterans through the VA. These diverse roles shaped my therapeutic style, which is compassionate, practical, and results-oriented.
I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, and sleep difficulties, with advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), and other evidence-based treatments. I also have extensive experience supporting LGBTQ+ clients and survivors of trauma.
In therapy, I strive to create a safe and collaborative environment where clients feel understood and empowered. My approach is evidence-based and goal-directed, while always tailored to each person’s needs. Therapy can be a place not only to work through challenges but also to build skills, strengthen resilience, and foster long-term growth.
Whether you are struggling with the far-reaching impact of past trauma, relationship challenges, anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other ongoing health issue or simply wanting to invest in a bit of self-exploration and growth, I am so glad that you have begun your search for the best facilitator in that journey. I believe in meeting people where they are and allowing you to set your own pace for healing. I look forward to assisting on your healing journey in any way that I can.
Working in the field for 24 years has opened my eyes and ears to many experiences. While your life experience is unique, we will work together to find ways to get you to your best life. I have worked in a hospital setting, inpatient mental health, outpatient mental health, PHP, IOP, Dual Diagnosis, rehab, residential treatment and community settings to a variety of clients in various backgrounds.
You are resilient and you have made it this far. I believe that every individual is an expert on themselves, but life can bring you many difficulties and struggles. I would like to be on the passenger seat and be a companion in your ride towards the best version of yourself. I will be a passenger because I know you can be the driver and achieve your goals.
I am bilingual licensed Clinical Social worker who has 8 years experience working with children, youth, adults, couples, families, and LGBTQ+ community. I received my master’s degree in social work from University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB)and my Biological and public health undergradudate degrees from University of Maryland College park (UMCP).
I have worked in multiple settings: crisis stabilization program, middle school, outpatient clinics, and managed a program for mothers who struggle with postpartum Depression
My primary area of expertise is working with individuals who have experienced trauma. My other areas of expertise are working with individuals who are struggling with major depression, anxiety, self-esteem/self-image issues and stress management.
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.
My background as a midwife for 22 years has prepared me to support you in your psychiatric journey. Although I specialize in maternal mental health, I enjoy general psychiatry for all genders age 14 and up. My philosophy is to provide integrative holistic psychiatric care that includes lifestyle changes, nutrition and medication. I attended graduate school at Yale School of Nursing and Frontier Nursing University. I am also certified by Postpartum Support International and am a lactation consultant. I am working towards my integrative psychiatry certification through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute.
You should know that I take your concerns seriously, and I will meet you with compassion, respect, and zero judgment. I understand that reaching out for mental health support can feel intimidating, especially if you have faced stigma, felt dismissed in the past, or worried about what a diagnosis might mean. My goal is to help you feel safe and at ease from the very first conversation.
As a doctoral-prepared, board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over eight years of experience in psychiatric and mental health care, I work with individuals across the lifespan. I commonly support people navigating depression, anxiety, PTSD, stress-related concerns, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and other emotional or behavioral health challenges. I approach each person as a whole, not a label, and I take the time to understand your symptoms in the context of your life, your stressors, your strengths, and your goals.
In our work together, you can expect a collaborative, patient-centered approach. I believe treatment works best when you feel heard and involved, so we will discuss what you are experiencing, what has helped or not helped in the past, and what you want to be different moving forward. If medication is part of your care, I prioritize thoughtful, evidence-based decisions, clear education about options, and ongoing adjustments based on your response and preferences. I also value practical strategies and supportive guidance that you can apply between sessions.
Most importantly, I am passionate about each person I serve because I know you are important, and I recognize the courage it takes to seek help. My role is to offer steady, professional support and a trusting relationship as you work toward clarity, stability, and lasting wellness.
Many of my clients come to me carrying more than they let on — a child struggling to focus and feeling misunderstood, a parent exhausted from trying to hold everything together, or an adult quietly navigating loss while the world expects them to move on. Whether you're 6 or 76, if life feels heavier than it should, you deserve a space to set it down. For over 15 years, I've had the privilege of walking alongside children, adults, and seniors through anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, and the moments that feel impossible to make sense of alone
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.
My name is Sierra Patterson, my pronouns are she/they. I am a Black American therapist in their 30s based in Baltimore, MD, who received their master's degree from Johns Hopkins University, School of Education. I specialize in depression and anxiety and am learning more about trauma-informed care, LGBTQ+ issues, and neurodiversity affirming approaches.
About our LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists in Gaithersburg, MD



- 100%LGBTQIA+
- 98%Anxiety
- 96%Depression
- 91%Stress management
- 85%Trauma

- 98%Aetna
- 87%Cigna
- 84%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 73%CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- 62%Ascension

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

- 94%Online only
- 6%In-person or online

- 80%Woman
- 19%Man
- 1%Non-binary

- 42%Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Clinical
- 29%Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
- 23%Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
- 4%Clinical Psychologist
- 2%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist

- 99%Individual therapy
- 40%Family therapy
- 26%Couples therapy
- 17%Child or adolescent therapy
Frequently asked questions


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