Book LGBT-friendly therapy, covered by insurance
LGBT therapists in Columbia, MO


Top LGBT-friendly therapists and psychiatrists in Columbia, MO
Headway supports LGBTQIA individuals across Columbia with talk therapy and medication management from 346 empowering providers. Many sessions are covered by insurance, and clients save an average of 75% on care, with some paying as low as $0 per session.
As a graduate of Missouri State University’s Counseling program, I am a person-centered counselor. I believe that all those who seek therapy have a desire to bring themselves back into balance. Although I see individuals of all ages, I specialize in children between the ages of 3 and 10 addressing their needs using child-centered play therapy.
Hello and welcome! I have decade of experience treating adults, children, and families from a variety of different cultures and backgrounds. I take a holistic, integrative approach that enhances the mind-body-spirit connection. Currently, I meet virtually with adults, typically offering a combination of psychoeducation and skills in CBT, DBT, and solution-focused therapy.
Sometimes life changes in ways you never expected. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, the transition into parenthood, or the emotional demands of caring for others, it's easy to lose sight of yourself while trying to keep everything together. You don't have to face those challenges alone. For more than 20 years, I've partnered with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, women's issues, and trauma, helping them build resilience, strengthen relationships, and rediscover hope during life's most difficult seasons. Working with children, adolescents, and adults, I strive to create a compassionate, supportive space where you feel genuinely heard, respected, and empowered to move toward lasting healing.
I care about real connection, steady progress, and creating a space where you can show up as yourself. I’ve spent years helping people sort through heavy thoughts, navigate big life changes, and rebuild a sense of direction. I won't rush you or force you into a mold, I help you understand what matters to you and take the steps to move towards it. I'm happy to be the calm, steady guide who will walk alongside you.
I came to train and serve as a counselor after being helped by counseling in my 40s. Sometimes reaching out for help and making changes in life is scary and overwhelming. Sometimes we need support as we navigate these changes. I love to support my clients as they make life-giving changes.
If you keep finding yourself in the same arguments, the same shutdowns, or the same loop of feeling more reactive than you want to be, you are not broken. There is often a younger version of you driving the bus in those moments. I work with teens, adults, and women navigating relationship strain, family of origin patterns, anxiety, and grief, including the kind that does not involve a death. Clients describe me as warm, steady, and easy to talk to, and they often say I notice what they did not realize they were sharing.
I have 26 years of experience dealing with individuals, couples, families in therapy. We will work together to develop plans that are unique and right for you.
Hi, I'm Joanie! If you're feeling weighed down by trauma, anxiety, or painful life experiences, you don't have to navigate them alone. Trauma can leave you feeling stuck in the past, constantly on edge, or wondering why certain emotions and reactions seem so difficult to control. My approach is warm, compassionate, and nonjudgmental. I work with adults to better understand how past experiences continue to shape their lives today while helping them build the insight, confidence, and tools needed to move forward in a way that feels authentic and empowering.
Arti earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from The University of Missouri at Rolla and his master’s in counseling from Webster University. Arti became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2014. Arti has been working within the child welfare world for 24 years and has been part of almost every aspect of the system from preventative services to residential services to investigation of child abuse and neglect. Arti specializes in childhood trauma, trauma of all kinds, and family relationships.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience in both inpatient psychiatric settings and outpatient therapy. I earned both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from Missouri State University, where I developed a strong foundation in evidence-based, client-centered care.
My background includes working with individuals across a range of needs, from acute crisis stabilization to ongoing therapeutic support. I have extensive experience helping clients navigate depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, self-harm, anger, aggression, and oppositional defiant behaviors. I am also trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which I frequently use to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while building practical coping strategies.
Hi. I'm glad you found me!
I have been in the social work field for 30 years working with children and families. I have a BS in Psychology and a Masters in Social Work. I've been a social worker since 1995 and a licensed therapist since 2011. I believe it's important to have a safe and comfortable place to process how you are feeling.
Hello, I’m Abby Pease, LCSW, QS! As a therapist, I strive to create a safe and welcoming space where clients feel truly seen and supported. I bring warmth, energy, and a touch of humor into my work, helping clients navigate challenges while also reminding them that healing doesn’t always have to be heavy. My goal is to walk alongside you with compassion and clarity as you move toward growth and resilience.
About our LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists in Columbia, MO



- 100%LGBTQIA+
- 99%Anxiety
- 96%Depression
- 92%Stress management
- 92%Trauma

- 99%Aetna
- 92%Cigna
- 86%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 67%Ascension

- 98%English
- 1%Spanish
- 1%American Sign Language
- 1%Farsi

- 80%Online only
- 20%In-person or online

- 77%Woman
- 20%Man
- 3%Non-binary

- 53%Licensed Professional Counselor
- 39%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 4%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 2%Licensed Psychologist
- 1%Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

- 100%Individual therapy
- 39%Family therapy
- 27%Couples therapy
- 19%Child or adolescent therapy
Frequently asked questions


Find the right LGBTQ-friendly therapy provider for you
Headway makes it easier to connect with affirming therapists who understand your identity — from finding the right therapist, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
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