LGBT therapists in Bloomfield Hills, MI

I've been working in this field over 11 years. I received my masters degree in 2013 and have obtained multiple trainings and certifications since then to best help the clients I work with.

I have experience working in Community Mental Health and private practice along with working for the military.

I really enjoy helping the LGBTQIA+ community, working with other therapists, helping those with chronic issues including health, pain and life stressors. I love helping people live their best lives.

When life gives you lemons...

My education gave me the tools to be a skilled clinician. But it was my own trauma that gave me the insight and depth I bring to this work. I know what it feels like to live in a body that doesn’t feel safe—to question everything, including yourself. I spent over a decade learning how to heal, reclaim my voice, and become the kind of guide I once needed.

In the midst of that long journey, I had a quiet moment of clarity: what I was going through wasn’t just about survival—it was about becoming someone who could walk with others through the dark. That experience grounds my work in both knowledge and deep compassion.

Learning to love the desert

I’ve come to believe that being lost isn’t a problem—it’s part of the path. Like La Loba, the mythical bone-gatherer who wanders the desert collecting what’s been buried and brings it back to life, I help others gather what they’ve lost along the way. That process is sacred, slow, and often surprising—but it’s how we come home to ourselves.

There are parts of you that haven’t died; they’ve just been waiting. And sometimes, when it all falls apart, that’s when the wild, wise parts of you rise again.

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist, with over 20 years of experience working in the field of psychology. I earned a MS in Behavioral Psychology and a Psy.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University (formerly California School of Professional Psychology). Over the years I have had experience working with various populations with diverse psychological problems. I have expertise in working with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, substance use problems, grief/loss, and couples and family therapy. Within my work, I have experienced successful outcomes in improving people's lives both individually and relationally- within the most meaningful relationships in their lives.

Good therapy can change your life! In the decade that I've been a psychotherapist, I've accompanied my clients through breaking vicious cycles, reworking toxic patterns, and creating new habits that promote their flourishing. My advanced clinical training makes me especially effective working with clients who self-describe as perfectionists, people pleasers, over-functioning, and/or highly sensitive.

I graduated in 2013 from Oakland University with a Master's in Counseling. My undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in English.

I have worked in substance abuse rehab facilities and prison, providing substance abuse counseling in group and individual sessions. I have also worked for community health agencies for different counties in Michigan, doing individual counseling, assisting clients with applying for benefits and providing various resources.

I work with individuals, adults aged 18 plus via telehealth. I work with all genders, sexualities, ethnicities, relationship structures, and religious/non-religious beliefs.

My top treatment areas are anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, LGBTQ+ issues.

I offer a judgment-free space where we can work together toward your mental health goals. In our work, we will not just talk through the problems, concerns, or challenges bringing you to therapy. We will also focus on practical tools that can help change how you experience those situations and support you in moving toward a healthier version of yourself. I use a blend of evidence-based treatment approaches that I tailor to each client’s unique needs and goals.

I earned my LMSW from Grand Valley State University and have 17 years of experience across a wide range of mental health settings, including outpatient care, the emergency department, inpatient treatment, and partial hospitalization, along with many other levels of care in between. My additional training includes trauma-informed care, suicide risk assessment and safety planning, and DBT. Clients can expect me to meet them where they are while being empowering, transparent, direct, and focused on helping them reach their treatment goals.

My name is Dr. Llena Carter. I am originally from the southside of Chicago. I have lived in four different states and traveled to over 40; including teaching/traveling abroad for multiple summers. I have been a therapist for over 20 years and have a breadth of experience. I see therapy as a sacred space where trust and nonjudgment are essential. I am specifically passionate about providing support for persons of color and oppressed populations where therapy may be otherwise stigmatized. I would be honored to walk, even a small part of your journey, with you.

In my 20-plus years of clinical experience, I have worked with individuals, families as well as with couples and groups. My experience has stemmed from a variety of settings including domestic violence shelters, psychiatric units, juvenile detention centers, college campuses and private practice. Consulting work has included Suicide Prevention, DEI trainings, Intergroup Dialogue, and Groups geared toward de-stigmatizing mental wellness for communities of color. All are welcome here.

I'm a LPC with over 25 years in the field. I've helped people through a variety of issues. Whatever is motivating you to seek counseling, I’m here to help. Throughout my career I have seen how helpful & freeing it can be to have a safe & non-judgmental space to explore what you value. I bring warmth, compassion, humor, and insight into my work, and I try to help folks learn something new about themselves every session. This can mean the difference between just living and prospering as a person.