Lesbian Therapists in New Orleans, LA

So many things can pull us away from feeling fully alive and from having meaningful relationships, to ourselves and to others. I enjoy helping people strengthen their belief in themselves and become less alienated. Therapy with me is about bringing awareness to behavior and thought patterns that no longer serve you. Without recognition of these patterns it is impossible to make a conscious decision to be/do something new. You never know what's possible when you bring energy and imagination to the parts of your self that need attention.

Guided by a relational/narrative approach to therapy with a systems lens, I view clients as emergent beings who come from communities and stories that can enliven or constrict their sense of self, safety, belonging, and freedom. In a society that encourages isolation and disconnection, I have seen the profound healing that can happen when people feel safe enough to be witnessed and explore through relationship. I work with people who struggle with painful pasts or parts of themselves and aim to create a space where people can move into greater relationship with themselves, their values, and desires.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I work with a variety of clients, many of whom have a trauma background. I use EMDR, AIT and DBT in my sessions. The clinician-client relationship is important and flexibility with treatment is necessary in achieving change. We work together to get you to where you want to be. I tell all of my clients, "I have a big bag of tricks, we just need to find what works for you." Feel like you have been trying and not getting to where you want to be? I can help and I would love to work with you.

What would your life look like if you could snap your fingers and everything could change? What if your relationships with loved ones had less conflict? What if your stress levels were more manageable? Whether this is your first time in counseling or you’re searching for a new therapist that’s a “good fit,” I can help in tackling those questions. Here’s a quick snapshot of what our experience will look like together: I use an existential lens in therapy, which means that I enjoy teaming up with a client to explore the patterns of their life. Your life patterns are unique, and your counseling experience should reflect that.

Feeling overwhelmed? Are you having feelings of nervousness and sadness related to how the world perceives you? Do you feel unheard, as if no one understands the issues you face or the traumas you endure? Living in a world that is sometimes unkind to those of us who make up marginalized populations can have long-lasting effects on one’s mental health and overall quality of life. If you have ever experienced any of these feelings, Ms. Alaiyia N. Williams, is the perfect fit for your therapy and counseling needs. She has been practicing as a licensed clinician for nearly 10 years in a variety of settings and in various states.

My varied work history has afforded me the opportunity to work with individuals and families facing a wide range of life challenges. I have the most experience in working with those suffering from anxiety and/or depressive disorders, coping with grief/loss, experiencing family conflict or interpersonal difficulties, or dealing with the lasting impact of traumatic experience. I primarily work with individuals but understand the role and importance of family and therefore include family members as necessary. I view my role as helping the individual to define existing problems, identify realistic goals, and actualize those goals.

Congratulations! You have taken the first and most difficult step on your journey to a healthier you. As you begin, know that two things are certain. You are not the problem, and neither is your loved one. Your problem is the problem. I enjoy helping people navigate “problems” and overcoming them. I consider myself a mental health advocate but not in a traditional way. As a therapist, I advocate on behalf of the people in the room; even if I am advocating for you on behalf of yourself. I am here to destigmatize mental health illness and redirect the focus to mental health awareness.

I am Licensed Clinical Social Worker located in New Orleans, LA. I am licensed and able to see Maine residents for therapy virtually as well. Working from a trauma-informed lens, I work to facilitate a collaborative and empowering approach to counseling. My theoretical approach stems from a radical social justice paradigm with the incorporation of liberation-based healing practices, expressive arts therapy, feminist, and relational-cultural theory. I work with both individuals and couples, offering a supportive space for personal and relational growth.

Hello! I specialize in complex stress and trauma (CPTSD), & other issues rooted in early life experiences and family of origin. I also specialize in inner critic work, anxiety, guilt, shame, depression, religious trauma, & spiritual issues. With a diverse background in the study of religion, creative writing, and psychology, I bring a unique and creative perspective to the counseling process. I use a collaborative, holistic approach to help you transform those parts of yourself that feel stuck in the past and to rewrite the narrative of your life. I look forward to supporting you on your journey toward self acceptance and discovery.

I work with a variety of adult clients, both individually and in couples counseling. Many of my clients are dealing with varying levels of anxiety, depression and/or relationship struggles. Often clients have struggled with these concerns for a long time but resisted admitting that anything was wrong or seeking help.

*Be aware I am not currently taking any new patients due to my schedule being completely full for the foreseeable future. I believe that healing can happen through the process of empathic and supportive counseling. I work with mood issues, personality disorders, grief, substance use and much more. I utilize a culturally sensitive and holistic psychodynamic style of therapy. This approach encourages development in all areas of life (relationships, thoughts, behaviors, emotions, careers, etc.), and pays special attention to unconscious factors and cultural identity (race, religion, sexuality, gender, disability, etc).

Life as Art Studio was conceived to help individuals, families, groups and organizations find their truth, find their voice. The mission is to work together to unearth talents and unblock creativity. To do so I use primarily action methods through my extensive training in psychodrama. The belief is that most of us need to increase our spontaneity in order become more authentic, true to who we really are. We may suffer because we have lost or never found who that true self is. Maybe we have been taught to think we must be some one else's idea of who and how we should be in the world.

I view therapy as an opportunity to explore life issues in a creative and supportive environment. Therapy is different for everyone, and I hope to offer you a space to sit with and process current and past issues as well as offer tangible resources in building the life you want. As a part of the LGBTQ+ community, I enjoy working with queer, trans, and nonbinary folks. I work with adolescents, teens and adults. I aim to meet people where they are to work collaboratively towards their goals. My focus areas are LGTBQ+ affirmative counseling, substance use, and relational issues.

Are you seeking a profound shift in your life? Are you ready to delve into your inner world and discover lasting healing and transformation? I welcome you to a safe space where you can embark on a journey of self-discovery and inner harmony with Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy. My role as a therapist using this model is to guide clients in building a dynamic and compassionate relationship to their internal worlds and with the world around them. When we learn to appreciate how we have adapted to our wounds, we can change our patterns of behavior, as well as, love ourselves and others more actively and fully.

We all struggle throughout life and I was no exception. Acknowledging the struggle is a huge step towards success along with finding the right therapist. We only know what we were taught and how to react to situations from those who raised us. You deserve to be the best you possible and I am here to help you find that. Let me help you discover new ways to a happy and healthier life. I utilize an attachment framework derived from Emotionally Focused Therapy and Story Informed Trauma Therapy (SITT) to help my clients understand how they came to be who they are.

Are you feeling stuck in frustrating patterns or behaviors despite gaining insights from traditional talk therapy? Do you find it difficult to manage overwhelming emotions or disruptive symptoms? Have you experienced a traumatic event that you're struggling to move past? If any of these resonate with you, it might be time to explore a new approach to therapy. I specialize in somatic approaches that integrate the wisdom of the mind with the awareness of the body, allowing for deeper healing. My focus is on working with clients who have C-PTSD, PTSD, and anxiety.

Ultreya means Onward in Spanish. This sentiment is perfect for a mental health counselor, because our goals are about helping clients progress onward in their lives and to not let the past dictate their present or future. My intention with my practice is to help clients navigate their lives in a way that they become more self-aware and happy with the individual that they are, rather than who they think they should be based on the world around them.

I see counseling as a process in which you the client, and I having come to understand and trust one another, work as a team to explore and define present problem situations, develop future goals for an improved life and work in a systematic fashion toward realizing those goals. I focus on clients with general mood disorders, addiction/ substance use and vocational issues. Working to help clients understand and identify their own strengths and incorporating coping skills. Helping them to exemplify their strengths while processing aspects of the past to create an understand their present and future.

I understand that there are times when you feel very alone and struggle with everyday realities. Let me help you find your self again and identify the things that are getting in the way of your happiness and success. You are not alone. We can do this together.