LGBT therapists in Flint, MI

Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a Master of Social Work that is passionate about supporting women, teens, and those who are navigating trauma, depression, anxiety, family and relationship issues, low self-esteem, and life stressors. Perhaps you who have not felt like yourself or have not found your voice due to everyone else having a say about your life choices. I believe that healing begins in a space where you feel heard, understood, and genuinely supported. With nine years experience and through lived experience, my work focuses on helping you manage those concerns, as I have worked with multiple populations including children, teens, and adults.

**Accepting teen/adult female clients only at this time.**

I’m a licensed therapist and founder of a private practice built around helping people create meaningful, lasting change, not just short-term relief. My background includes working with teen and adult women navigating anxiety, relationship challenges, life transitions, and deeply ingrained behavioral and emotional patterns.

My work is rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), with a strong emphasis on understanding the biology and evolution of the human brain. I help clients make sense of how their nervous system, thoughts, and emotional responses were shaped—and how those patterns show up in daily life as habits that may no longer serve them.

I also integrate radical responsibility and mindful self-compassion into my work. That means we don’t stay stuck in blame or avoidance, but we also don’t approach change through shame. Instead, we build awareness, ownership, and the capacity to respond to yourself and your life differently.

While I’m direct and engaged in the work, I’m also laid back and less formal in my style. I believe therapy can be both meaningful and productive and have moments of lightness, humor, and real human connection along the way.

I work best with clients who are ready to look inward, challenge themselves, and actively participate in the process of change.

I've been a listener my whole life — since I was a teenager, long before I had any clinical training, I learned that the most powerful thing one person can do for another is to genuinely pay attention. That hasn't changed. What has changed is that now I have the tools, training, and experience to help that attention lead somewhere. I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Michigan. I work with individuals, families, couples, and children — and I see clients across the state through telehealth. I'm trained in a range of approaches including CBT, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Bowen Family Systems, which means I can adapt to what actually fits you — not just apply a template. I'm also comfortable holding faith and spirituality as part of your story if that's relevant for you. I'm not a "Christian therapist" in a prescriptive sense, but I've spent years working as a chaplain and I understand how much a person's spiritual framework shapes how they see themselves and the world. That's a welcome part of the conversation here.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with 28 years of experience partnering with adolescents, adults of all ages and families. I am bilingual so I offer therapy in english and spanish.

Hello, and welcome. My name is Jessica Banford, and I am a Licensed Master Social Worker / Clinical Social Worker with experience providing support in both emergency and outpatient mental health settings. I am passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with compassion, understanding, and practical tools for change. I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work from Indiana Wesleyan University and my professional background includes working in hospital emergency departments, where I have completed behavioral health assessments, crisis intervention, and care coordination for individuals experiencing acute mental health concerns. This experience has strengthened my ability to remain calm, supportive, and solution-focused during difficult moments. I specialize in working with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, emotional dysregulation, and life stressors such as relationship difficulties, financial stress, and transitions. I also worked a outpatient community health center providing therapy to all populations including all ages. I also have experience supporting adolescents and young adults, as well as collaborating with families and support systems. My approach to therapy is client-centered and strengths-based. I often incorporate techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), focusing on building coping skills, improving emotional regulation, and increasing overall resilience. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, respected, and supported. I look forward to working together to help you reach your goals and improve your overall well-being.

For me, I aim to help others transform their lives through compassionate, personalized care (with plenty of humor along the way). I specialize in working with people of color, student-athletes, and those who are neurodivergent. If you’re neurodivergent and reading this, you’ve finally found someone who specializes in and deeply understands your unique perspective. Whether seeking clarity on behaviors, understanding how you interpret the world, or navigating challenges, I am here to help.

I partner with people experiencing depression, anxiety, addiction related coping and life transitions to identify and reach their goals. I am dedicated to serving the needs of the LGBTQ+ and broader community and am committed to creating a safe, accepting and supportive environment for those I partner with.