LGBT therapists in Duluth, MN

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS for Lunchtime sessions Tuesday & Wednesday! Book a FREE 15-minute consult today! I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) & Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) with over 18 years of experience in mental health. My work is rooted in compassion, practicality, and a belief that therapy should be an empowering journey—not a lifelong commitment. I specialize in working with adolescents, adults, and seniors who experience ADHD, chronic illness & mind-body disconnect. I also integrate mental health and nutrition into my approach and provide grief-informed care.

I want you to know that therapy is a safe space where you can be yourself. There’s no judgment here—just a commitment to helping you feel more in control of your life and well-being.

Hello! I’m Gwen Scherr, a marriage and family therapist who supports couples, families, and individuals across the lifespan who may be tired of just coping through life and are ready to move toward deeper healing and growth. I work with clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship issues, family issues, identity concerns, and the stress that can come from feeling disconnected from yourself or the people you love. Many of the people I work with want more than symptom relief — they want to feel more grounded, understood, and able to thrive in their relationships and daily lives. My goal is to offer a supportive space where you can slow down, feel seen, and begin moving toward a fuller, more authentic life!

Get to Know Me

Hi, I’m Paula! I’m an LPCC who works with young children and their families, teens, young adults, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, family dynamics, self-esteem, and major life transitions. I take a relational, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approach, with a focus on understanding the why behind what we’re experiencing—not just managing the symptoms. I also have a special interest in neurodiversity and enjoy working with neurodivergent individuals and families, approaching differences with curiosity, compassion, and a strengths-based perspective. I value honesty, curiosity, and creating a space where you can be yourself without having to have everything figured out. Therapy can be hard work, but I believe we can approach it with compassion, a little humor, and a “okay, this is where we are—now what can we do with it?” kind of energy.

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with a Master's degree in Social Work. I have specialized training in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Permanency and Adoption, and have dedicated my career to supporting children, families, and caregivers through life's challenges.

Over the past two decades, I have worked in a variety of settings, including child protection, foster care and adoption services, early intervention programs, family home visiting, and community mental health. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the complex systems that impact children and families, as well as the resilience and strengths they bring to the healing process.

My areas of expertise include early childhood mental health, parenting support, foster care and adoption-related concerns, attachment and relationship challenges, trauma, family transitions, and helping caregivers navigate developmental and behavioral concerns. I am passionate about partnering with families to build on their strengths, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful, lasting change.

Many people come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, stress management concerns, relationship issues, or the emotional weight of trauma and major life changes. You may be noticing overthinking, low motivation, self-doubt, communication problems, conflict in important relationships, or patterns that keep repeating no matter how hard you try to change them. I work with individuals, couples, and families who want more clarity, healthier relationships, and practical tools for moving forward.

My approach is relational, compassionate, and tailored to the person in front of me. I draw from evidence-based and attachment-focused therapies to help clients better understand themselves, strengthen emotional awareness, and create more meaningful change. Whether you are working through anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, family conflict, or the effects of past experiences on your present life, therapy can be a place to slow down, make sense of what is happening, and begin building something healthier..

I believe that you are the expert in your own life. Oftentimes people seek therapy as a way to cope with difficult environments, navigating a complex and rapidly changing world without the support they need to overcome obstacles. I have worked with disenfranchised folks most of my life - many impacted by systems involvement, lack of access to services, homelessness, and intimate partner violence. Past clients have shared they genuinely appreciate having a helping professional who meets them where they are at in life, supports them in achieving realistic goals, and keeps dignity, respect and honesty at the forefront of the work.