San Mateo Therapists specializing in LGBTQ Issues

Marla Cass

I work extensively with lesbian and bisexual women, and often with gay men. For many years, I provided supervision for pre-licensed clinicians at Pacific Center in Berkeley and at Queer Life Space in San Francisco. I have a deep understanding of the challenges that can come with seeing the world through an LGBTQQ++ lens.

Sage DeRosier

You are: adult, teen, or child, coupled, or in a different kind of partnership or a family. You identify as a gender expansive/creative (transgender, fluid, questioning...) person (esp. a child and their family). You want to effectively navigate your personal reality within challenging social constraints such as fear, ignorance, polarization and limited binaries. You feel stuck, alone, afraid, angry, or confused enough that it’s getting in your way. You want to feel better and truly thrive.

Sunny Choi

I care about your well-being because your happiness and mental health is my passion. I can help you understand and change the negative patterns that contribute to your emotional distress. I’ll teach you innovative techniques to enhance your mood, improve your relationships, and live a happier, more meaningful life. As a former corporate high-tech employee, an immigrant, and an LGBTQ person of color, I can relate to many of your struggles.

Priscilla Cheng

Priscilla specializes in the intersection of queer and faith identities, as people don't fit into neat, rigid boxes of gender identity, sexual orientation, and faith. Priscilla also works with religious trauma, navigating Asian American identity, re-authoring historical value and familial beliefs, and recovery.

Connie Alonzo-Frisz

Partnership takes hard work and intentional investment. You've landed in the right place if you are ready to hear what your partner needs and if you are ready to let your partner know what you truly need to feel seen, heard, valued and prioritized.

Tracy De Soto

I offer compassionate and loving psychotherapeutic services to women recovering from childhood abuse and trauma. As a survivor, you may find yourself struggling with various challenges common to someone with a history of trauma, such as codependency, subtle forms of addiction, low self esteem, low self confidence, and estrangement from family and even from yourself. I’m here to help by using my personal experience as a survivor, and 20 years experience in professionally helping other survivors.

Melissa Risso

Men Chun Wong

Majority of my practicum training (pre-degree internship) was spent working at an LGBTQ+ community center that also provides mental health treatment. Not only have I provided therapeutic services to the community, I actively participate in the center's programmatic planning that allowed me the unique opportunity to see more than just mental health issues within the community.

Reika Faust

Have you ever experienced an event that has impacted you and left you feeling unsettled? Have difficulty connecting with others? Belittle or judge yourself for things beyond your control? Do you struggle to find meaning or a positive and healthy relationship with yourself or others? Join me in a healing journey where I can help support and give you the tools that will allow you to navigate the challenges of this wild rollercoaster we call life.

Stephanie Lim

I enjoy working with people to help them develop greater understanding, and hopefully alleviate some distress or at least help to more effectively manage. I currently work with adults and young adults. I aim to work collaboratively with clients/patients. Additionally, I have a passion for issues of (cultural) diversity and consider the intersectionality of identities in my work. My current caseload is mostly Asian American professionals of many intersecting identities

Rachel Costella

Though I have substantial experience working with youth, families, and parents, I have really enjoyed my opportunities working with young adults as I've transitioned into my own practice. This season of life brings about many changes that can lead to shifts in mood, anxious distress, interpersonal conflicts, and self-confusion. I find that I work best with those who are willing to deeply explore themselves and consider new perspectives to create new meaning in their lives.

Roxane Williams

In graduate school and ongoing, I've studied and practiced therapies supportive of the LGBTQIA+ community including Gay-Affirmative Therapy, CBT for the LGBTQIA+ Community , Queer/Trans Resilience, and support, including letter-writing, for gender affirmation surgeries. Combatting the epidemic of suicide in the Trans community is among my highest priorities as a therapist and as a human being.

Stephanie Olano

That feeling of "otherness" can show up anywhere- at work, in dating, and even with close friends. In early adulthood, so many big questions might be swirling around in your head: What am I about in this world? What should I do with my life? What do I stand for? These questions are pivotal, but also scary. I try to understand how these questions impact my clients and do my best to help them achieve their goals in ways that honor their authentic selves.

Eric van der Voort

I provide stigma-free, affirming, high-quality individual therapy to those in the LGBTQ+ community. I am committed to helping you feel safe, valued, and deeply respected. Maybe you’re feeling confused about your sexual orientation or sexuality. Perhaps you’re seeking relationship help from someone who understands the challenges, stigma, and discrimination you face. If you find yourself outside of the strictly heterosexual, cis-gendered, and/or monogamous boxes, you’ve come to the right place.

Ashlei Lien

I've had the honor of working as a therapist since 2011 providing services to individuals, children, teens, adults, couples and families. My professional experience includes providing therapy for survivors of trauma (domestic violence, community violence, abuse, etc), working with anxiety disorders, helping to process phase of life issues, LGBTQ topics. My expertise lies in couples counseling, anxiety, and trauma. I love providing therapy!

Kailey Hockridge

My clients are often creative, compassionate people who are experiencing stress or anxiety, both in work and in their personal lives. I love working with folks who are new to therapy and are looking for a safer space to examine feelings of dissatisfaction or distress, and who are curious about how to foster a greater sense of self-esteem. Ultimately, my hope is that therapy becomes a space where you feel seen, valued, and supported.

Hannah Joharchi

You're freaked out and in scarcity mindset. You feel like you carry it all and people just don't see how much you're trying and what you're really going through on the inside. I so hear you. You're over there wondering "why don't they get me?!" and I'd like to help you move to "wow, they see me!" and more importantly I want to help you get to "phew, NOW I SEE ME." I work with folks to get the love they always wanted within and ask for it in more digestable ways.

Susan Pollard

I have a great deal of experience working with clients who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, focusing on issues related to coming out, exploring sexual orientation, navigating relationships with friends, families, and partners, or concerns unrelated to sexual orientation. I've attended trainings to increase my knowledge in working with this population with a particular focus on suicide risk for LGBTQ+ youth.

Kelifern Pomeranz

My practice embraces those who are "conventional" and "unconventional" (LGBTQ, poly, kink, furry, nerd, geek, mystical...). My clients are intelligent, invested, and eager to live their best lives.

Leslie Sherman

Are you stuck in unhelpful patterns in your relationship? Are you dissatisfied with your sex life? Are you struggling to communicate your needs/desires? All genders & sexualities, poly/open/monogamous couples, kinks, and sex workers are welcome and affirmed in my therapy room. Examples of typical issues I work with: intimacy issues (emotional or sexual), communication/conflict/other relationship issues, anxiety, substance use issues, coming out issues, adolescent/family conflict, etc.