LGBT therapists in Dayton, OH

Hi there! My name is Riley Henderson, and I am a licensed independent social worker in the state of Ohio and a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker in the state of Kansas. I have been a practicing social worker since 2023 after graduating with my master's degree in social work from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. I have a background in crisis management in southeast Ohio working with children and families through the court system, school system and more to create safety and stability together. I currently work as a therapist for those experiencing life's challenges no matter how big or small.

I am a neurodivergent therapist who has been practicing for 20 years. I have always been drawn to and supportive of other humans that color outside of the lines. Prioritizing yourself by seeking help is huge and I would be honored to support you on your therapy journey.

Clients often describe me as flexible, laid back, and easy to talk to. I believe therapy should meet you where you are, not where you feel you “should” be. I know that finding a therapist and beginning the process can feel overwhelming, so my goal is to make getting started feel as comfortable, supportive, and approachable as possible. With over 15 years of experience in the mental health field, I bring a compassionate and grounded perspective to my work with clients. I earned my master’s degree in 2017 and have worked with a variety of individuals navigating life transitions, emotional challenges, stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, and personal growth. My primary clinical experience has focused on adolescents, young adults, and adults, and I strive to create a supportive space where each person feels understood, respected, and empowered in their healing process.

My path to becoming a counselor was shaped in part by my own life experiences. Navigating divorce, raising children in a divorced household, and working with a counselor myself helped me develop greater emotional awareness and better understand how our experiences can influence the way we think, feel, and respond to the world around us.

I have also learned to better understand my own experience with ADHD and how it has influenced different areas of my life. ADHD is part of my experience, but it does not define who I am. That journey has reinforced my belief that understanding ourselves including our experiences, strengths, challenges, and differences can help us grow without reducing who we are to a diagnosis or label.

These experiences contributed to my decision to become a counselor and helped shape my passion for supporting people navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, neurodivergence, relationships, and major life transitions.

I'm Kassandra, a Licensed Independent Social Worker trained at Case Western Reserve

University. My clinical foundation was built doing crisis intervention and specialized

trauma work with survivors of sexual assault, child abuse, and sex trafficking before

I became independently licensed. That experience isn't a line on a resume. It's the reason

I can sit with the hardest things clients bring in without needing them to minimize,

manage, or explain themselves first. I work with adolescents, adults, and older adults

individually and with couples. I'm explicitly LGBTQIA+-affirming and have experience

with transgender and identity-related concerns. I offer telehealth across Ohio and accept

insurance through Headway.

My name is Jeannine Taylor. I earned a Master's degree in Marriage & Family Therapy and a Doctoral Degree from Kent State University. I also am Assistant Professor of Family & Community Medicine at Northeast Ohio College of Medicine. I enjoy helping people balance work and family; navigate the challenges before, during and after divorce; and cope with changes associated with midlife and later life. I also help clients make career decisions and establish educational goals.

PLEASE NOTE: I AM NOT ACCEPTING NEW COUPLES AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2026; HOWEVER, I AM ACCEPTING NEW INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS.

Ka'ra Johnson is a LCSW-C, LCSW licensed in MD, VA, DC, and OH. She received both her Masters in Mental Health Counseling and Masters of Social Work from Capella University. She specializes in treating Trauma, Mood Disorders, Forensic Clients, Crisis Interventions and Life Transitions. Her modalities of therapy are: Trauma informed CBT, REBT and Motivational Interviewing.

My name is Queen Watson (yes that's my real name) and I’m a Cincinnati, OH native. I attended The Ohio State University for my bachelor's degree in psychology and obtained my master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Cincinnati. As a Black therapist, I take pride in providing a safe space for individuals to address the impact of a system that villainizes those experiencing side effects of the human condition and directly challenge the stereotype of what therapists should look or act like. My ideal clients are adults experiencing or seeking: identify affirming care (i.e., LGBT+, BIPOC), ADHD, depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, seeking stronger intra- and interpersonal relationships, intense anger, and mood disorders.

I am an anti-racist and LGBTQ-Affirming trauma therapist who has worked with veterans, military personnel, and civilians for 20+ years. I am honored to work with clients on their self-defined goals to achieve more peaceful and satisfying lives, especially as related to healing mental injuries from discrimination and abuse.

My areas of expertise include workplace trauma, racial trauma, institutional betrayal, suicide prevention, family scapegoat abuse, workplace mobbing, and self-acceptance in a hostile world.

As a Queer, Xicana of Mexican, Indigenous, Irish, and Czech ancestry who was raised by a gay parent, I know from lived experience, the importance of culturally-responsive care that recognizes the harm of systemic and interpersonal oppression and stigma. I delight in working with people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences including neurodiversity, various religious and spiritual communities, and people living with visible and invisible disabilities.

As a care provider for a person living with long COVID, I understand the challenges and importance of COVID-cautious lifestyles for people who have compromised immune systems or who want to avoid long COVID.

With a BA from the University of California, Santa Cruz, an MSW from Washington University in St. Louis, and a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, my practice is rooted in research, celebration of clients' cultural traditions, and awareness that mistreatment, disadvantage, and cruelty cause people to suffer.

I actively work to identify and eradicate my own biases through anti-racist somatic practice and train other clinicians in decolonizing mental health care, psychological safety, and anti-racist suicide prevention.

I use evidence-based practices of Written Exposure Therapy, Motivational Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Prolonged Exposure Therapy.

HI, I'm Melissa Welch, and I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker Supervisor (LISW-S) in the State of Ohio.

How come these "tell us about yourself" questions seem so awkward? I'm much better in real life. After all, it is an energy exchange, right? Let's connect and see if we vibe!

With over 20 years of experience in healthcare, I bring a compassionate and understanding approach to mental health care. As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, I’ve had the privilege of working in a wide range of settings, including pediatrics, family medicine, cardiology, correctional health, emergency medicine, and education.

I believe that meaningful care starts with truly meeting patients where they are. My goal is to create a supportive, judgment-free environment where you feel heard, respected, and empowered to be your authentic self. Together, we work toward practical, personalized solutions that support your mental and emotional well-being.

When I’m not working, I enjoy traveling, exploring new cultures, visiting amusement parks, going on cruises, or spending quiet time at home with my husband and our two dogs.

With 20 years of experience, I have moved past clinical jargon to focus on what actually works: true empathy and genuine human connection. My practice is built on real-world experience, and I am dedicated to helping people navigate life with clarity and strength.

I specialize in working with adults dealing with trauma, relationship dynamics, substance use, anxiety, and depression. I also focus on women’s issues, professional burnout, navigating major life transitions, and the art of setting healthy boundaries. I provide a professional, evidence-based approach that remains focused on you as a person.