LGBT therapists in Suffolk, VA

Hello! I know people have many different perspectives on therapy, and I’m glad you’re exploring your options. After doing this for many years now, I have developed a comprehensive understanding of how people progress in counseling and therapy. I am a licensed professional counselor in the state of Virginia, and I specialize working with anxiety, depression, and ADHD.

As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) from Walden University, I am deeply passionate about delivering patient-centered care and committed to advocating for individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. With over eight years of experience working with patients, families, and communities affected by mental illness, I have developed a profound understanding of the importance of compassionate and individualized care.

My professional journey began as a registered nurse, where I came to realize that mental illness is no respecter of person, age, color, or social status. This experience reinforced my belief that every individual facing mental health challenges deserves a patient-centered, personalized, and holistic approach to their care.

As a PMHNP, my goal is to serve as a source of strength and support through active listening, empathy, and compassion. I strive to provide an evidence-based approach tailored to each patient’s specific needs, ensuring that every individual feels heard, valued, and empowered on their path to wellness.

I hope to help you transform those painful, self-limiting beliefs and old patterns into realistic and affirming ones. The process I most often use incorporates bilateral stimulation of the brain. This is a simple technique that often has profound results. It has been shown to move clients very quickly towards the core healing, which is central to lasting results. One of the key benefits of this therapy is the ability to approach new situations /people with creativity, clarity, and new problem-solving techniques. This often occurs spontaneously as part of the process.

I am from a rural area in Ohio. I have a master's degree in social work with primary focus on trauma, LGBTQ+, and individual and couples therapy (couples therapy is private pay only, effective 08/25/2026). I have lived experience as a survivor of trauma and as part of the LGBTQ+ community. I have worked in the field of social work for over 27 years, primarily regarding trauma. I have worked with children, adults, seniors, couples, and families.

Dr. Rivera employs an integrative style that focuses on the individual's sleep, diet, physical and mental fitness. He enjoys working in particular with weight loss, men's wellness, de-prescription from psychotropic medications, and detox from long-term substance use: tobacco, alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines. Furthermore, he specializes in the diagnosis and management of attention, mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders.

I am a "pattern based" clinician who specializes in helping my clients identify negative patterns in their life. Once negative patterns have been identified, we will work together to replace negative patterns with healthier skills. I am also a core driven clinician who specializes in identifying the root of a problem. I believe once the root of the problem is discovered, we can process it and find positive strategies to heal through the painful core issue.

I’m Ine Saka, PMHNP-BC, FNP, and founder of Empathy Wellness Center, currently serving Maryland and Virginia. As a board-certified psychiatric and family nurse practitioner, I provide compassionate, holistic, evidence-based care for children, adolescents, and adults. I specialize in ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety, and trauma, integrating traditional psychiatry with wellness-focused approaches to support mind, body, and spirit.

I have been a counselor for more than 30 years. I remain passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and believe that genuine caring is an essential element to an effective counseling relationship. Over the years I have worked with clients with significant trauma and loss. I consider it a privilege to stand with another individual as he or she resolves great pain. I specialize in treating clients with trauma, relationship issues, and borderline personality disorder.

Hello, and welcome! I'm Sakura Pate, a trauma-informed therapist dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered. I became a social worker in 2013, supporting individuals through a wide range of life challenges across community and behavioral health settings. After earning my Master of Social Work in 2023, I expanded my practice to provide individual and couples counseling, combining years of social work experience with evidence-based, client-centered, and trauma-informed care.

I work with adults and couples experiencing a variety of emotional, relational, and life challenges. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, navigating a major life transition, struggling in your relationships, processing past experiences, or simply looking to better understand yourself, I provide a collaborative space to explore what matters most to you. My approach is tailored to each individual, recognizing that every person's experiences, strengths, and goals are unique. I also provide LGBTQIA+ affirming care and am committed to creating an inclusive environment where every client feels respected, valued, and safe to show up as their authentic self.

I believe healing happens through connection, self-awareness, and compassion. Whether you're seeking support for a specific concern, personal growth, or greater fulfillment in your relationships, I'm honored to walk alongside you as you build resilience, strengthen meaningful connections, and create lasting, positive change.

Are you BIPOC or LGBTQIA+ struggling with self-compassion and self-care? Are you struggling with the anxiety of navigating a society that feels like it's not made to support you? Whether it's systemic issues or unpredictable life changes, sometimes life can feel overwhelming and beyond our control. I provide a space for you to be your authentic self and receive unconditional positive regard through these challenges. Come as you are.

With 26 years of clinical experience as a licensed therapist in DC and Virginia, I support individuals navigating life’s complexities—from stress, trauma, and grief to fertility concerns, family dynamics, LGBTQIA+ experiences, anxiety, depression, and moments of transition.

As a proud Howard University graduate, my work is grounded in cultural humility, social justice, and a belief that mental health is inseparable from history, community, and lived experience. Howard taught me to see clients not just through symptoms, but as whole people shaped by family, identity, policy, and perseverance.

This perspective fuels my commitment to therapy as both a healing space and a form of liberation. My practice is anchored in integrity, guided by compassion, and centered on the dignity and humanity of every person I serve.

Making the decision to start therapy is a profound investment of your time, energy, and vulnerability. If you are looking for a blank-slate clinician who simply nods and listens, we might not be the best fit. I offer a highly engaged, malleable, and unflinching partnership.

My approach is rooted in the belief that while the work of untangling our lives is deeply structural, the room itself doesn't always have to feel heavy. I bring a grounded warmth to my practice—which means knowing how to sit quietly in the gravity of a difficult truth, but also knowing when to break the tension, exhale, and find the light in the sheer complexity of being human. I won’t just sit in silence while you do all the heavy lifting; I am an active collaborator who adapts to exactly where you are.

I'm not a regular therapist—I'm a cool therapist. You'll likely find me using humor in sessions because it's one of my favorite coping skills (when it's appropriate). I strive to create a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where you can feel comfortable being yourself.

Helping others has always been my passion, and I love supporting clients as they create meaningful changes in their lives. I also value learning and believe that knowledge can be a powerful tool for growth, so don't be surprised if I recommend a book or two during our time together.

I specialize in working with clients experiencing anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, substance use concerns, burnout, and adjustment disorders or other life transitions. I also love supporting new moms as they navigate the perinatal period and the unique challenges that can come with it.