LGBT therapists in Winchester, VA

Hello! My name is Samantha Baerhardt, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor working in Winchester, VA. I offer in-person as well as telehealth services. I have a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Minnesota State University, Mankato and worked as an outpatient therapist in Minnesota for several years before moving to Virginia in 2023. I strive to provide individualized therapeutic services to adolescents (ages 15 and up) and adults of all ages, genders, sexual identities, sexual orientations, and racial/cultural backgrounds. I am experienced in working with individuals who struggle with a variety of emotional and mental health concerns, including anxiety, panic, depression, trauma, low self-esteem, and relationship difficulties or loss. I also have a vested interest and specialized experience in treating eating disorders.

Hi, I’m Hayley Johnson, MSN, PMHNP-BC. I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 16 years of experience in nursing, including medical, rehabilitation, home health, and behavioral health settings.

I work with adolescents and adults (ages 12+) experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood disorders, and stress-related conditions. Many of my clients are high-functioning individuals who feel overwhelmed internally, struggle with focus or emotional regulation, or feel stuck despite trying to manage things on their own.

My background in both medical and psychiatric care allows me to take a comprehensive approach. I consider the full picture, including medical history, lifestyle factors, and when appropriate, possible contributors such as thyroid imbalance, vitamin deficiencies, or hormonal changes.

I am committed to providing thoughtful, structured, and evidence-based psychiatric medication management in a way that feels collaborative and respectful.

As a therapist, I believe in your story and your individual experience. A space that is safe, comfortable, & free of judgement is essential for your success. It is important that you are in control of your own therapeutic experience, and I believe my role as a therapist is to serve as a guide & emotional support for you through your own journey. To provide a more authentic process and promote psycho-education, I aim to actively engage with you through discussions and person-centered support. “Pain is real, but so is hope”, and that is the main goal of my therapeutic approach: instill hope.

I believe in the inherent wisdom and strength within all human beings and I utilize a number of approaches to reveal that wisdom and strength within my clients.

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.

My name is Loren Johnson and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I graduated with my master's degree from The University of Alabama in 2017. My passion for helping others drew me to the field of counseling. My collaborative style allows me to work closely with my clients to reach their goals.

Hi, I’m Meghan Rise- a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with over a decade of experience in mental health care. I hold a master’s degree in psychiatric mental health nursing and am also a Certified Integrative Mental Health Provider (CIMHP). My practice focuses on supporting adults with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, symptoms of trauma, ADHD, neurodivergence, mood disorders, and life transitions. I offer care virtually to meet clients where they are in their wellness journey, and also available in-person by request.

This field is everything to me. I have been fully licensed for a short time but have worked in mental health for over 10 years in many roles. Working with clients, being alongside them through their most difficult and profound experiences is, I feel, the biggest honor one could have.

I believe therapy should feel like a place where you can finally exhale. You don’t have to have the right words, know exactly what you need, or arrive with everything figured out.

My approach is warm, compassionate, and deeply human. I work with people who may feel overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected from themselves, or exhausted from carrying too much for too long. Together, we make space to understand what you’ve been through, what your nervous system has learned to protect you from, and what you need now in order to heal and move forward.

I created Gentle Ground Therapy with the hope of offering exactly what the name represents—a soft place to land, where you can feel supported, understood, and safe enough to grow.

You are more than what has happened to you, and healing does not mean becoming someone new. Sometimes it means gently finding your way back to yourself.