LGBTQ2IA+ Affirming Therapists
LGBTQ2IA+ affirming therapy provides support from therapists who understand and respect diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Connect with affirming therapists on First Session.
Finding a therapist who truly understands LGBTQ2IA+ experiences can make a significant difference in your therapeutic journey. Affirming therapists approach your identity with respect and understanding, without requiring you to educate them or justify who you are. Whether you're navigating coming out, processing minority stress, working through relationship issues, or dealing with other life challenges, an affirming therapist provides a safe space.
On First Session, you can browse therapists who identify as LGBTQ2IA+ affirming. Watch their intro videos to get a sense of their approach and see if they feel like a good fit. All therapists have their credentials verified during onboarding. Book your first session online when you find someone you connect with.
Lauren Kolyn
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON and QC.
Waitlist
Lauren Kolyn
Registered Social Worker
she/her/hers
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety, Attachment, Befriending the Nervous System, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Intergenerational trauma, Life transitions, LGBTQ2IA+, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Identity and Self-Exploration, Personal Growth, Relationship anxiety
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety, Attachment, Befriending the Nervous System, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Intergenerational trauma, Life transitions, LGBTQ2IA+, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Identity and Self-Exploration, Personal Growth, Relationship anxiety
Caitlin Kemmett
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Caitlin Kemmett
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
she/her/hers
ADHD, Couples Therapy, Career guidance, Anger, Aging, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Caregiver burnout, Co-founder relationships, College or University Coaching, Competitive anxiety, Couples, Decision making, Perfectionism, Stress, Parenting, Family issues, Maternal mental health, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, LGBTQ2IA+, Life transitions, Neurodiversity, Rewilding & Reclaiming the Wild Feminine, Women's Health
ADHD, Couples Therapy, Career guidance, Anger, Aging, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Caregiver burnout, Co-founder relationships, College or University Coaching, Competitive anxiety, Couples, Decision making, Perfectionism, Stress, Parenting, Family issues, Maternal mental health, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, LGBTQ2IA+, Life transitions, Neurodiversity, Rewilding & Reclaiming the Wild Feminine, Women's Health
Aditi Pathare
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in BC.
Waitlist
Aditi Pathare
Registered Clinical Counsellor
she/her
BIPOC, LGBTQ2IA+, Relationships, Anxiety, Confidence, Attachment wounds, Creativity, Depression, Befriending the Nervous System, Emotional regulation, Identity and Self-Exploration, Grief and Loss, Mental Decolonization, Self-esteem, Trauma
BIPOC, LGBTQ2IA+, Relationships, Anxiety, Confidence, Attachment wounds, Creativity, Depression, Befriending the Nervous System, Emotional regulation, Identity and Self-Exploration, Grief and Loss, Mental Decolonization, Self-esteem, Trauma
Kate Newby
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in AB, BC, MB, and SK.
Waitlist
Kate Newby
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Life transitions, Navigating challenging relationships, LGBTQ2IA+, Sexuality and gender issues, Dissociation, Nervous system regulation, Emotional regulation, Trauma processing, Attachment wounds, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Suicidal ideation, Familial and social relationships, Break-up recovery, Bullying, People pleasing, Boundaries and boundary setting, School challenges, Chronic and acute illness, Aging, Caregivers, Mind-body connection, Meaning and purpose, Self-esteem, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Life transitions, Navigating challenging relationships, LGBTQ2IA+, Sexuality and gender issues, Dissociation, Nervous system regulation, Emotional regulation, Trauma processing, Attachment wounds, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Suicidal ideation, Familial and social relationships, Break-up recovery, Bullying, People pleasing, Boundaries and boundary setting, School challenges, Chronic and acute illness, Aging, Caregivers, Mind-body connection, Meaning and purpose, Self-esteem, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
C. Nicole MacLeod
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
C. Nicole MacLeod
Registered Psychotherapist
she/ her
ADHD, Neurodiversity, Family issues, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anxiety, Attachment, Bipolar Disorder, Body Dysmorphia, Borderline Personality Disorder, Brain injury, Building Self-Care Routines, Children/Teens, Conflict resolution, Couples, Depression, Emotional regulation, Eating disorders, Familial and social relationships, Giftedness Issues, Learning disabilities, LGBTQ2IA+, Managing ADHD symptoms, Mindfulness Practices, Trauma, Grief and Loss
ADHD, Neurodiversity, Family issues, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anxiety, Attachment, Bipolar Disorder, Body Dysmorphia, Borderline Personality Disorder, Brain injury, Building Self-Care Routines, Children/Teens, Conflict resolution, Couples, Depression, Emotional regulation, Eating disorders, Familial and social relationships, Giftedness Issues, Learning disabilities, LGBTQ2IA+, Managing ADHD symptoms, Mindfulness Practices, Trauma, Grief and Loss
Jennifer Henderson
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON and BC.
Waitlist
Jennifer Henderson
Registered Social Worker
They/She
LGBTQ2IA+, Trauma processing, Emotional regulation, Trauma, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Attachment trauma, Borderline Personality Disorder, Boundaries and boundary setting, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Childhood trauma, Coming out and identity, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Dissociation, Familial and social relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, Nervous system regulation, Neurodiversity, People pleasing, PTSD, Self Destructive Behaviour, Sexuality and gender issues, Suicidal ideation, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Stress, Grief and Loss
LGBTQ2IA+, Trauma processing, Emotional regulation, Trauma, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Attachment trauma, Borderline Personality Disorder, Boundaries and boundary setting, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Childhood trauma, Coming out and identity, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Dissociation, Familial and social relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, Nervous system regulation, Neurodiversity, People pleasing, PTSD, Self Destructive Behaviour, Sexuality and gender issues, Suicidal ideation, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Stress, Grief and Loss
Lindsay Kudlow
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Lindsay Kudlow
Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
ADHD, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Childhood trauma, Confidence, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Conflict resolution, Effective communication, LGBTQ2IA+, People pleasing, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Empowerment, Familial and social relationships, Relationship anxiety, Dating challenges, Navigating challenging relationships, Relationships, Trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Anxiety, Self-esteem
ADHD, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Childhood trauma, Confidence, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Conflict resolution, Effective communication, LGBTQ2IA+, People pleasing, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Empowerment, Familial and social relationships, Relationship anxiety, Dating challenges, Navigating challenging relationships, Relationships, Trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Anxiety, Self-esteem
Candice Frederick
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, AB, MB, NT, NB, YT, NU, PE, NL, and SK.
Waitlist
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Candice Frederick
Canadian Certified Counsellor
she/her
Trauma, Money Trauma, Somatic Therapy, Burnout, Stress, Relationships, Workplace stress, Wellness Counselling, Sexuality, Self-Development, Racism, Women's Health, Life transitions, LGBTQ2IA+, Intergenerational trauma, BIPOC, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Caregivers, Cultural Challenges, Perfectionism, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Navigating challenging relationships, Diabetes mental health support, Perimenopause mental health support, Grief and Loss, Career guidance, Pro-choice
Trauma, Money Trauma, Somatic Therapy, Burnout, Stress, Relationships, Workplace stress, Wellness Counselling, Sexuality, Self-Development, Racism, Women's Health, Life transitions, LGBTQ2IA+, Intergenerational trauma, BIPOC, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Caregivers, Cultural Challenges, Perfectionism, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Navigating challenging relationships, Diabetes mental health support, Perimenopause mental health support, Grief and Loss, Career guidance, Pro-choice
Ean Burchell
Registered Counselling Therapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, NS, NB, PE, and NL.
Waitlist
Ean Burchell
Registered Counselling Therapist
Men's issues, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Thought Restructuring, Anxiety, Behavioural Issues, Couples, Depression, Conflict resolution, Emotional regulation, Court Mandated Counselling, Existential questions, Family issues, Fears and phobia, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), LGBTQ2IA+, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Masculinity, School challenges, Negative thinking and ruminating, Phobias, PTSD, Trauma, Anger, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Men's issues, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Thought Restructuring, Anxiety, Behavioural Issues, Couples, Depression, Conflict resolution, Emotional regulation, Court Mandated Counselling, Existential questions, Family issues, Fears and phobia, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), LGBTQ2IA+, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Masculinity, School challenges, Negative thinking and ruminating, Phobias, PTSD, Trauma, Anger, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Kelsey Mathison
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Kelsey Mathison
Registered Psychotherapist
She/her
Identity and Self-Exploration, Creativity, Emotional regulation, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Building Self-Care Routines, Coming out and identity, Depression, Depression coping skills, Dissociation, Empowerment, Grief Processing, Group Therapy, Habits, LGBTQ2IA+, Life transitions, Mindfulness, Negative thinking and ruminating, Neurodiversity, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Grief and Loss
Identity and Self-Exploration, Creativity, Emotional regulation, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Building Self-Care Routines, Coming out and identity, Depression, Depression coping skills, Dissociation, Empowerment, Grief Processing, Group Therapy, Habits, LGBTQ2IA+, Life transitions, Mindfulness, Negative thinking and ruminating, Neurodiversity, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Grief and Loss
Sieran Yung
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Sieran Yung
Registered Psychotherapist
He/him
Sexuality and gender issues, LGBTQ2IA+, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Neurodiversity, Relationships, Cultural Challenges, Career guidance, School challenges, Motivation, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Overwhelm, Depression, Anxiety, BIPOC
Sexuality and gender issues, LGBTQ2IA+, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Neurodiversity, Relationships, Cultural Challenges, Career guidance, School challenges, Motivation, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Overwhelm, Depression, Anxiety, BIPOC
Crystal Soares
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Crystal Soares
Registered Social Worker
She/Her
Attachment wounds, Intergenerational trauma, Boundaries and boundary setting, Relationships, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Trauma, People pleasing, Self-esteem, LGBTQ2IA+, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Perfectionism, Overwhelm, Childhood trauma, Familial and social relationships, Anger, Anxiety, Attachment trauma, Dating challenges, Assertiveness, Break-up recovery, Depression, Attachment, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Social anxiety, Sexuality
Attachment wounds, Intergenerational trauma, Boundaries and boundary setting, Relationships, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Trauma, People pleasing, Self-esteem, LGBTQ2IA+, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Perfectionism, Overwhelm, Childhood trauma, Familial and social relationships, Anger, Anxiety, Attachment trauma, Dating challenges, Assertiveness, Break-up recovery, Depression, Attachment, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Social anxiety, Sexuality
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What is LGBTQ2IA+ affirming therapy?
LGBTQ2IA+ affirming therapy is an approach where therapists respect, understand, and support diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Affirming therapists don't treat LGBTQ2IA+ identities as something to be changed or fixed. Instead, they create a safe space where you can explore any topic without fear of judgment, and they understand the unique challenges that can come with being part of the LGBTQ2IA+ community.
Who might benefit from LGBTQ2IA+ affirming therapy?
Anyone who identifies as LGBTQ2IA+ may benefit from working with an affirming therapist—whether you're seeking support for identity-related concerns or any other life challenge. Having a therapist who understands your experience means you don't have to explain the basics of your identity and can focus on what brought you to therapy. It's also valuable for those questioning their identity.
What's it like to work with an affirming therapist?
Working with an affirming therapist means having someone who respects your identity from the start. You can discuss any topic—whether related to being LGBTQ2IA+ or not—without worrying about judgment or having to educate your therapist. Sessions focus on what matters to you while your therapist holds awareness of how your identity may intersect with your experiences.
How long does therapy typically take?
The duration of therapy depends on what you're working on and your personal goals. Some people come for support during a specific transition or challenge, while others benefit from longer-term therapy. Your therapist can help you determine what makes sense for your situation. There's no set timeline—therapy proceeds at your pace.
How do I know if a therapist is right for me?
Finding the right affirming therapist involves looking at their approach, experience, and whether their personality feels like a good fit. On First Session, you can watch intro videos to get a sense of each therapist before booking. This helps you find someone you feel comfortable with and confident will understand your experience.
How do I book a session?
Browse LGBTQ2IA+ affirming therapists on First Session. Watch their intro videos to find someone whose approach resonates with you. When you're ready, book your first session directly online and choose between virtual or in-person appointments based on your preference.