Find therapy for LGBTQ+ people
LGBTQ+ individuals face unique stressors and benefit from affirming therapists who understand their experiences. FindSupport matches you with therapists who have specific experience working with LGBTQ+ people — online or in-person.
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Therapy by the numbers
Based on 2748 licensed therapists across the United States · Updated July 2026
Specialization breakdown
Understanding the Mental Health Needs of LGBTQ+
LGBTQ+ people face particular mental health challenges, including identity exploration, coming out stress, discrimination, family rejection, and minority stress.
LGBTQ+ clients often spend early sessions checking whether a therapist is safe to be open with. An affirming therapist treats sexual orientation and gender identity as part of who you are, not as the problem, so the time goes to what you actually came in for.
Effective Therapy Approaches for LGBTQ+
Approaches therapists commonly use with LGBTQ+ people include affirmative therapy, CBT, narrative therapy, group therapy, and couples counseling. The best approach depends on individual needs, preferences, and specific challenges.
What therapy covers varies widely: coming out, family rejection, relationships, gender transition, or problems that have nothing to do with identity at all. Say what you want to work on — you shouldn't have to educate your therapist on the basics.
How to Find the Right Therapist for LGBTQ+
Ask a prospective therapist how often they work with LGBTQ+ people on identity exploration or coming out stress, and whether they use affirmative therapy or CBT. Their answer tells you more than a list of credentials.
FindSupport matches you with licensed therapists who list experience with LGBTQ+ people. Describe what you're dealing with — identity exploration, for example — and we'll surface the specialists most relevant to it.
Narrowing the search for LGBTQ+ people
Start with what you want to change — minority stress, for example — then look for profiles that mention it. Among FindSupport profiles that list their specialties, 12% name LGBTQ+, 36% name anxiety, and 30% name depression.
City pages for LGBTQ+ people cover Chicago (32 listed), Phoenix (18 listed), San Diego (25 listed), and Austin (5 listed). About 6% of listed therapists mention online sessions on their profile; a therapist licensed in the state where you live can generally work with you by video, which widens the choice for LGBTQ+ people outside big cities. One practical question for a first call: would they use couples counseling, or something else, and how would you know it is helping?
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Find therapy for LGBTQ+ people →Frequently Asked Questions
Why see a therapist who specializes in working with LGBTQ+ people?
A specialist already understands issues like identity exploration, coming out stress, and discrimination and knows the approaches commonly used with LGBTQ+ people, such as affirmative therapy and CBT — so less of each session goes to explaining context.
How do I find a therapist who specializes in working with LGBTQ+ people?
Look for therapists who list LGBTQ+ people among the groups they work with, then ask about their experience with identity exploration and coming out stress. On FindSupport you can describe your situation and get matched with therapists who have that experience.
What should I expect in my first therapy session as an LGBTQ+ person?
Expect to talk about what brought you in — for many LGBTQ+ people that is identity exploration or coming out stress — and what you want to change. The therapist will explain how they work (often affirmative therapy) so you can judge whether the fit feels right.
Is online therapy effective for LGBTQ+ people?
Yes, and it widens the choice a lot: an affirming therapist anywhere in your state can usually see you by video. If you're not out to the people you live with, check that you have a private place to talk.
What therapy approaches work best for LGBTQ+ people?
Approaches commonly used include affirmative therapy, CBT, and narrative therapy. Which fits best depends on whether your main concern is identity exploration, coming out stress, or discrimination; a good therapist tailors the approach to you.
What is LGBTQ+-affirming therapy?
Therapy that treats sexual orientation and gender identity as ordinary parts of who you are. An affirming therapist doesn't try to change them, understands minority stress, and focuses on what you came in for.
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