LGBT therapists in Winchester, VA

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.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who focuses on treating acute and relational trauma with teens, individuals, and couples. I have been working as a psychotherapist for over 15 years. I believe that we heal in relationship to another, rather than trying to do it all alone. My style is warm, attentive and an active participant in your healing journey.

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As a child growing up in New Orleans, LA, I struggled feeling seen, heard, and as if I truly belonged. I realized at a young age people (of all ages) shared with me their vulnerable, intimate and personal stories. And as I listened and held space for their concerns, these story-tellers felt a sense of relief, seemed lighter and a smile spread across their face.

I began wondering why people do what they do. This led me to gain education, strategies and tools to understand human behavior and development, learn how to effectively hold space for another, and begin supporting others with empathy; allowing them to feel seen, heard, and belong.

In the process, I chose to become a stepmom. I learned first hand how hard it is to blend a family and co-parent. If no one gives the biological parents a manual upon the birth of their child, there really is nothing for steps. This experience has given me a desire to fill this gap; helping steps, bios, and the children navigate and build a more content settled home.

I work with individuals, couples, and families of all ages. I have a Masters in Clinical Health Psychology and a Masters in Nutrition/Dietetics, which helps lend to a holistic approach to my work with clients. I commonly work with health behavioral change, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, ADHD, OCD, and relationship change. My treatment approach utilizes a biopsychosocial lense in long-term therapy based in psychodynamic, strengths-based, and integrative work in overall health. I utilize coping skills from CBT, DBT, ACT, and Mindfulness. I incorporated life-skills such a assertiveness, boundaries, and career.

I love the work that I do and the healing relationships I have been able to foster with my clients. I believe that therapy is a form of self-care and I want to be an advocate of that for my clients. I welcome anyone who thinks they may want some support, whether long-term or short-term to reach out to me and set up a brief phone consultation.

I'm April — a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked alongside people in some of the hardest chapters of their lives: crisis moments in emergency settings, school hallways with overwhelmed teenagers, and outpatient rooms where families were trying to figure out how to be in the same room again. That range of experience has shaped how I work. I know that anxiety looks different in a 15-year-old than it does in a 40-year-old. I know that couples who love each other can still feel like strangers. And I know that healing isn't linear — it takes time, trust, and the right support.

I specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship and marital concerns, family conflict, parenting challenges, life transitions, and emotional regulation. I work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families. For clients who want it, I also offer faith-integrated counseling that weaves Christian beliefs and values into the therapeutic process — thoughtfully, ethically, and at your pace.