LGBT therapists in Jackson, MI

Hi, I'm Heather Johnson, a faith centered Christian therapist passionate about creating a safe and supportive space where healing, growth, and restoration can take place. I have over 5 years of experience and my approach to therapy is rooted in compassion, grace and meeting each person exactly where they are in their journey. I work with individuals and families to navigate life's challenges, build resilience, and develop practical tools for lasting emotional wellness. Guided by the belief that healing and restoration are possible through faith, hope and connection, I strive to reflect God's love by offering a space of understanding, encouragement, and support. It is an honor to walk alongside my clients as they move toward healing, clarity, and peace.

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 am a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Michigan and Missouri with over a decade of experience specializing in mental healthcare and addiction counseling. Additionally, I proudly served 10 active-duty years in the world's greatest U.S. Navy, from where I bring valuable insights as an honorable veteran. In my capacity as a Sailor, I served as both the Command Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor and as a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate. Aside from work, I enjoy time with my husband, our 4 wonderful children, and loving on our pug, Miss Pearl.My areas of expertise include assisting clients in managing stress, anxiety, addiction, grief, loss, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, depression, perimenopause, and serious mental illnesses. I specialize in addiction treatment in both substances and pornography/sexual addiction. I believe deeply that you are the expert of your own story, possessing numerous strengths that will empower you to overcome life's challenges.Taking the initial step toward a more fulfilling and purposeful life requires courage. My role is to support you throughout this journey, providing tailored guidance aligned with your individual goals and needs. Together, we will build insights and strategies to enhance your overall sense of purpose and well-being.

From time to time, everyone has challenges and frustrations in their lives. Most of the time we can figure things out ourselves, but sometimes we get stuck and need a new perspective. A good therapist will help you get unstuck.

Before earning my Masters in Counseling, I earned a PhD in social and personality psychology. This background deeply informs how I show up as a therapist. I help clients address unresolved trauma and grief, anxiety and OCD, address relationship issues, as well as "problems of everyday living." My style is active, engaged, and practical.

I am a board-certified PMHNP with extensive experience in the field of mental health. With a comprehensive background spanning child and adult inpatient and outpatient settings, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise into practice. Committed to providing holistic and compassionate care. I combine psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy to address the unique needs of each patient.

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.

Welcome to this courageous journey! If you’ve found your way here—even with hesitation or uncertainty—you’ve already taken a powerful first step: listening to the part of you that longs for healing, clarity, and growth. That alone is an act of strength. You don’t have to walk this path alone. I’m here to walk beside you—as a steady companion—through the valleys and the victories, the questions and the breakthroughs. Together, we’ll create space for your story, your healing, and your becoming.

I hold an MA and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Boston College and Indiana State University, where I received extensive training in multiculturalism and trauma-informed care. Over the past years, I’ve had the privilege of working in a variety of clinical settings—including university counseling centers and community mental health agencies—supporting individuals from all walks of life. I am a certified EMDR therapist and an approved consultant of the EMDRIA.

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.