LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapists in Raritan, NJ
Brian R. Bakes
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
Raritan, NJ 08869 (Online Only)
My specialty areas include life transitions; anxiety/depression; LGBTQ+; identity issues (personal/sexual/gender); men's issues, and emerging adulthood.
Do you feel like you’re doing well overall - but for some reason you’re still feeling unfulfilled or unsatisfied? You work hard but never feel like you’re doing enough. You’re keeping it all together but feeling overwhelmed and exhausted in your free time. Maybe you're facing (or going thru) a significant transition in your life & feeling a bit unbalanced or shook-up as a result. My work centers around increasing self-awareness, developing strategies for coping with the natural stress of life, and learning to live more authentically. All it takes is motivation to work, courage to examine yourself, and a commitment to making changes.
My specialty areas include life transitions; anxiety/depression; LGBTQ+; identity issues (personal/sexual/gender); men's issues, and emerging adulthood.
Do you feel like you’re doing well overall - but for some reason you’re still feeling unfulfilled or unsatisfied? You work hard but never feel like you’re doing enough. You’re keeping it all together but feeling overwhelmed and exhausted in your free time. Maybe you're facing (or going thru) a significant transition in your life & feeling a bit unbalanced or shook-up as a result. My work centers around increasing self-awareness, developing strategies for coping with the natural stress of life, and learning to live more authentically. All it takes is motivation to work, courage to examine yourself, and a commitment to making changes.
Christie Carrera
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Raritan, NJ 08869 (Online Only)
I help individuals and couples navigate relationship challenges, grief/loss, and LGBTQ+ issues, offering a compassionate space for growth.
As a therapist, I prioritize fostering self-empowerment as a key to healing and personal growth. My approach centers on helping clients tap into their own strengths to face life’s challenges with confidence and resilience. I provide tools for cultivating self-acceptance, creating a safe, non-judgmental space where individuals feel comfortable exploring their emotions. I also value bringing authenticity and humor into the therapeutic process, believing that genuine connection and moments of lightness can make even the toughest situations more manageable.
I help individuals and couples navigate relationship challenges, grief/loss, and LGBTQ+ issues, offering a compassionate space for growth.
As a therapist, I prioritize fostering self-empowerment as a key to healing and personal growth. My approach centers on helping clients tap into their own strengths to face life’s challenges with confidence and resilience. I provide tools for cultivating self-acceptance, creating a safe, non-judgmental space where individuals feel comfortable exploring their emotions. I also value bringing authenticity and humor into the therapeutic process, believing that genuine connection and moments of lightness can make even the toughest situations more manageable.
Kristina Woung-Fallon
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Raritan, NJ 08869
We all strive for clarity and peace while navigating the many challenges life throws our way. Counseling allows you the space to focus on your personal growth while working through hardships and hurts. My goal as a therapist is to provide my clients with that safe and caring space where they can let their walls down and feel supported on their journey to being the best version of themselves. I believe that every single person can flourish when they have someone to empathetically listen and understand them.
We all strive for clarity and peace while navigating the many challenges life throws our way. Counseling allows you the space to focus on your personal growth while working through hardships and hurts. My goal as a therapist is to provide my clients with that safe and caring space where they can let their walls down and feel supported on their journey to being the best version of themselves. I believe that every single person can flourish when they have someone to empathetically listen and understand them.
I am a NJ licensed Psychologist , and owner of A New Way Counseling and Psychotherapy LLC a group practice serving individuals, couples, and families in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We believe our role in therapy is to assist you in accomplishing your goals, and help to establish “A new way" to manage with life stress, anxiety, depression, obsessions, loss, eating disorder, adjustment, and other areas which may be relevant to you. Together we will work to identify your specifics needs, identify your goals, and work to achieve them. We identify collaboration to be the cornerstone of therapy, this is after all about you.
I am a NJ licensed Psychologist , and owner of A New Way Counseling and Psychotherapy LLC a group practice serving individuals, couples, and families in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We believe our role in therapy is to assist you in accomplishing your goals, and help to establish “A new way" to manage with life stress, anxiety, depression, obsessions, loss, eating disorder, adjustment, and other areas which may be relevant to you. Together we will work to identify your specifics needs, identify your goals, and work to achieve them. We identify collaboration to be the cornerstone of therapy, this is after all about you.
We all want to be healthy, happy, understood. But life often presents unexpected challenges that create stress, resurface old hurts or stir-up painful memories. At these times, a supportive ear and a felt sense of attunement can facilitate moving forward and promote healing. Regardless of what leads you to seek therapy; wanting to gain greater awareness or experience more joy, find a professional with whom you can form a meaningful relationship. I believe that we all strive towards health, and carry with us a set of strengths. Successful therapy draws upon those strengths and endeavors to build even more.
We all want to be healthy, happy, understood. But life often presents unexpected challenges that create stress, resurface old hurts or stir-up painful memories. At these times, a supportive ear and a felt sense of attunement can facilitate moving forward and promote healing. Regardless of what leads you to seek therapy; wanting to gain greater awareness or experience more joy, find a professional with whom you can form a meaningful relationship. I believe that we all strive towards health, and carry with us a set of strengths. Successful therapy draws upon those strengths and endeavors to build even more.
I have over 15 years' experience working with couples and individuals. I specialize in treating couples experiencing relationship issues from different backgrounds and cultures. While the relationship itself is the focus in couples counseling, I help each partner to pay attention to self-improvement and self-awareness. The therapy process is collaborative, I offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each couple. With compassion and understanding, I work with the couple to help them build on their strengths and attain the growth they are committed to accomplishing.
I have over 15 years' experience working with couples and individuals. I specialize in treating couples experiencing relationship issues from different backgrounds and cultures. While the relationship itself is the focus in couples counseling, I help each partner to pay attention to self-improvement and self-awareness. The therapy process is collaborative, I offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each couple. With compassion and understanding, I work with the couple to help them build on their strengths and attain the growth they are committed to accomplishing.
Elizabeth Arboleda
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, ACS
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Raritan, NJ 08869
As a Therapist and Life Coach, I understand how difficult and intimidating it can be to reach out for help. However, I can assure you that my compassionate and emphatic approach will help you find the strength to move through this process whether it is healing or focusing on creating your future. It is my goal to create a partnership with you where we together can maximize your potential and growth. I like to collaborate with you in this journey and adapt to suit your needs. My priority is to develop a safe and trusting environment, where we can build a healthy relationship and work together towards your goals.
As a Therapist and Life Coach, I understand how difficult and intimidating it can be to reach out for help. However, I can assure you that my compassionate and emphatic approach will help you find the strength to move through this process whether it is healing or focusing on creating your future. It is my goal to create a partnership with you where we together can maximize your potential and growth. I like to collaborate with you in this journey and adapt to suit your needs. My priority is to develop a safe and trusting environment, where we can build a healthy relationship and work together towards your goals.
Welcome to my practice. I specialize in treatment with children, adolescents, and adults using a relational/cognitive behavioral approach. I work with anxiety/ depressive disorders, trauma disorders, sexual behavior problems, marital/family matters, and high conflict situations, including post-divorce issues. I am happy to offer confidential, professional counseling in a safe and relaxed setting. With 20 years of practice, I am confident that people can work toward change and really make it happen. I believe in evidence based treatment with goals. After all, you are coming to therapy to get better. You deserve to gain the results you want.
Welcome to my practice. I specialize in treatment with children, adolescents, and adults using a relational/cognitive behavioral approach. I work with anxiety/ depressive disorders, trauma disorders, sexual behavior problems, marital/family matters, and high conflict situations, including post-divorce issues. I am happy to offer confidential, professional counseling in a safe and relaxed setting. With 20 years of practice, I am confident that people can work toward change and really make it happen. I believe in evidence based treatment with goals. After all, you are coming to therapy to get better. You deserve to gain the results you want.
I enjoy working with children, adolescents and adults of all ages in individual, couples and family therapy. Together we will work to identify your strengths and coping tools to improve relationships, emotions and behaviors. We will focus on changing automatic negative, self critical thinking to more empowered, compassionate thoughts.
I enjoy working with children, adolescents and adults of all ages in individual, couples and family therapy. Together we will work to identify your strengths and coping tools to improve relationships, emotions and behaviors. We will focus on changing automatic negative, self critical thinking to more empowered, compassionate thoughts.
I bring warmth, openness, empathy, intelligent understanding, and a non-judgmental, down-to-earth approach to therapy. Through a relationship in which your experiences are validated and understood, I will help you tap into your innate strength and break the shackles of prior negative, self-defining experiences. You will have the opportunity to change your life and truly free yourself of ways that may have overwhelmed you and held you captive. In an interactive and responsive therapeutic relationship, we cannot predict precisely who will emerge: A strengthened person, free of disruptive influences from past trauma, a person who
I bring warmth, openness, empathy, intelligent understanding, and a non-judgmental, down-to-earth approach to therapy. Through a relationship in which your experiences are validated and understood, I will help you tap into your innate strength and break the shackles of prior negative, self-defining experiences. You will have the opportunity to change your life and truly free yourself of ways that may have overwhelmed you and held you captive. In an interactive and responsive therapeutic relationship, we cannot predict precisely who will emerge: A strengthened person, free of disruptive influences from past trauma, a person who
Embodied Art Therapy & Yoga, LLC
Art Therapist, MS, ATR-BC, EMDR-T, LPAT, ATCS
Verified Verified
Raritan, NJ 08869
Waitlist for new clients
*I'm accepting clients with am/early pm availability* Unhelpful behaviors, emotions, thoughts, & beliefs sometimes indicate we don't have the words&life experiences on which to reflect and find solutions/hope. These can be an expression of unmet needs, uncommunicated truths, insufficient coping skills, and can be signals that something is not OK. There is hope. People can communicate, heal, grow, understand, empathize, & manage their lives to thrive, succeed, and feel satisfied. Together we can find a way. I also coach parents to help best understand/communicate with their child/teen/developmentally disabled adult child.
*I'm accepting clients with am/early pm availability* Unhelpful behaviors, emotions, thoughts, & beliefs sometimes indicate we don't have the words&life experiences on which to reflect and find solutions/hope. These can be an expression of unmet needs, uncommunicated truths, insufficient coping skills, and can be signals that something is not OK. There is hope. People can communicate, heal, grow, understand, empathize, & manage their lives to thrive, succeed, and feel satisfied. Together we can find a way. I also coach parents to help best understand/communicate with their child/teen/developmentally disabled adult child.
Susan Martinez
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Raritan, NJ 08896
Do you have difficulties saying "no" to others, or setting boundaries? Are you feeliling stuck in a rut? Can you imagine a life where you feel confident & no longer feeling self- conscious?What would it be like for you to feel love for yourself, a passion for living, more confidence? Your relationship with yourself is the foundation for growth, healing & connection to others. I am here to help you find your path to reconnect with your authentic self & connect with others in meaningful , loving & authentic ways. If you find yourself struggling with life transitions, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, or sadness, you are not alone.
Do you have difficulties saying "no" to others, or setting boundaries? Are you feeliling stuck in a rut? Can you imagine a life where you feel confident & no longer feeling self- conscious?What would it be like for you to feel love for yourself, a passion for living, more confidence? Your relationship with yourself is the foundation for growth, healing & connection to others. I am here to help you find your path to reconnect with your authentic self & connect with others in meaningful , loving & authentic ways. If you find yourself struggling with life transitions, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, or sadness, you are not alone.
Olive Branch Therapy Group
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Raritan, NJ 08869
We’re pleased you’ve made your first step towards healing. We understand that seeking help, whether for yourself or for your children isn’t always easy. Unfortunately, life doesn’t come with a user’s manual, and when times get tough, many of us are left feeling confused, angry, depressed and helpless. While we can’t provide you with a magical user’s manual to life, we can offer you an ancient symbol of peace, an olive branch. We want to help you extend that olive branch to not only the important relationships in your life but to yourself as well. Because at the end of the day, we all deserve inner peace.
We’re pleased you’ve made your first step towards healing. We understand that seeking help, whether for yourself or for your children isn’t always easy. Unfortunately, life doesn’t come with a user’s manual, and when times get tough, many of us are left feeling confused, angry, depressed and helpless. While we can’t provide you with a magical user’s manual to life, we can offer you an ancient symbol of peace, an olive branch. We want to help you extend that olive branch to not only the important relationships in your life but to yourself as well. Because at the end of the day, we all deserve inner peace.
Elise Cirelli
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Raritan, NJ 08869
Not accepting new clients
Elise believes in the value of authenticity and feels it is essential to the success of any therapeutic relationship. She takes a client-centered approach, borrowing from different schools of therapy based on the situation and person.
Elise believes in the value of authenticity and feels it is essential to the success of any therapeutic relationship. She takes a client-centered approach, borrowing from different schools of therapy based on the situation and person.
More Therapists Nearby
We currently specialize in LGBTQ+ issues, the Gottman couples method, minority stress issues and parenting support.
CogniCare= Caring for your thoughts. Here at Cognicare we believe that caring for your mental health is imperative. Whether you're motivated and ready to work on a specific goal or introspective and curious about further exploring yourself, mental health therapy may be right for you. Our therapists are multiculturally competent and identity affirming. We are interested in helping you to navigate the complexities of life and it's impact on your overall functioning. Our practice may be right for you if: you identify as a minority/multiple minorities (female, race other than Caucasian, member of the LGBTQ+ community, etc.), if you are struggling with your sexual orientation or gender identity or just want to further unpack in this area, if you are a parent of a child who identifies with the LGBTQ+ community, if you are a parent in general, couples (including LGBTQ+ couples and non-conventional relationships), if you are struggling to afford mental health care, and/or if you are just someone who would like to prioritize their mental health.
We currently specialize in LGBTQ+ issues, the Gottman couples method, minority stress issues and parenting support.
CogniCare= Caring for your thoughts. Here at Cognicare we believe that caring for your mental health is imperative. Whether you're motivated and ready to work on a specific goal or introspective and curious about further exploring yourself, mental health therapy may be right for you. Our therapists are multiculturally competent and identity affirming. We are interested in helping you to navigate the complexities of life and it's impact on your overall functioning. Our practice may be right for you if: you identify as a minority/multiple minorities (female, race other than Caucasian, member of the LGBTQ+ community, etc.), if you are struggling with your sexual orientation or gender identity or just want to further unpack in this area, if you are a parent of a child who identifies with the LGBTQ+ community, if you are a parent in general, couples (including LGBTQ+ couples and non-conventional relationships), if you are struggling to afford mental health care, and/or if you are just someone who would like to prioritize their mental health.
Avery Heimann
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MA, MEd, LSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Branchburg, NJ 08876
If you are navigating issues around LGBTQ+ identity, community, and resources, I can provide services that contour to your lived experience for effective delivery and application.
We are all on our unique individual life journeys, full of transitions, complex relationships with the world around us, all while navigating our identities and struggles in that process. I am here to validate that journey, all of its ups and downs as they inspire your forward-moving momentum towards becoming mindful, motivated, and fueled by self-love.
If you are navigating issues around LGBTQ+ identity, community, and resources, I can provide services that contour to your lived experience for effective delivery and application.
We are all on our unique individual life journeys, full of transitions, complex relationships with the world around us, all while navigating our identities and struggles in that process. I am here to validate that journey, all of its ups and downs as they inspire your forward-moving momentum towards becoming mindful, motivated, and fueled by self-love.
Cara Cuccinello
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
5 Endorsed
Somerville, NJ 08876
I identify as queer, fat, with lived experience.
Available IN-PERSON & virtual! My passion is helping you navigate eating disorder recovery, distorted body image, and ending the dysfunctional diet/food-behavior spiral. Maybe you're new to recovery, or finding your way back. Our therapeutic relationship gives you a soft place to land and a firm place to launch from. Where you see constant anxiety, relational stress, perfectionism, chronic dysregulation, and shame, I see opportunity for growth. No matter why you're here, if you want to understand yourself, balance taking control and relinquishing it, and build a life worth living, I'm here to support you through it.
I identify as queer, fat, with lived experience.
Available IN-PERSON & virtual! My passion is helping you navigate eating disorder recovery, distorted body image, and ending the dysfunctional diet/food-behavior spiral. Maybe you're new to recovery, or finding your way back. Our therapeutic relationship gives you a soft place to land and a firm place to launch from. Where you see constant anxiety, relational stress, perfectionism, chronic dysregulation, and shame, I see opportunity for growth. No matter why you're here, if you want to understand yourself, balance taking control and relinquishing it, and build a life worth living, I'm here to support you through it.
Growth & Empowerment
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, NCC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Our therapists have expertise working with the LGBTQIA+ and are gender affirming.
"Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around once in a while you could miss it"- This is one of my favorite quotes from the movie Ferris Bueller's Day off because it is so true. Things happen to us throughout our lifetime that make us feel stuck, worthless, guilty, shamed, and like we are never enough. These ideas about ourselves dictate the way we learn, how we do in school and work, and how we love and connect to others. When someone has experienced trauma, these thoughts and feelings can be even more extreme which can cause significant distress. Growth and Empowerment is accepting new clients!
Our therapists have expertise working with the LGBTQIA+ and are gender affirming.
"Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around once in a while you could miss it"- This is one of my favorite quotes from the movie Ferris Bueller's Day off because it is so true. Things happen to us throughout our lifetime that make us feel stuck, worthless, guilty, shamed, and like we are never enough. These ideas about ourselves dictate the way we learn, how we do in school and work, and how we love and connect to others. When someone has experienced trauma, these thoughts and feelings can be even more extreme which can cause significant distress. Growth and Empowerment is accepting new clients!
Sara Bickar
Licensed Professional Counselor, MS, LPC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Bridgewater, NJ 08807 (Online Only)
Areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, ADHD, life changes/ transitions, and positive communication skills w/ a special interest in women's and parent mental health encompassing peripartum mood disorders and parent challenges.
10/7/24: Accepting daytime clients. Welcome to Inner Journey Wellness, I'm Sara and I specialize in working with adults who may be experiencing symptoms of stress, lack of motivation, guilt, low self-esteem, negative thought patterns/perfectionistic thinking, inattention and increased anger. These struggles do not need to define us, but can often feel overwhelming and freezing, stopping you from doing things and being the person you want. I am here to help navigate these. Positive change is possible by focusing on understanding these challenges while providing effective strategies and skills using an integrative approach.
Areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, ADHD, life changes/ transitions, and positive communication skills w/ a special interest in women's and parent mental health encompassing peripartum mood disorders and parent challenges.
10/7/24: Accepting daytime clients. Welcome to Inner Journey Wellness, I'm Sara and I specialize in working with adults who may be experiencing symptoms of stress, lack of motivation, guilt, low self-esteem, negative thought patterns/perfectionistic thinking, inattention and increased anger. These struggles do not need to define us, but can often feel overwhelming and freezing, stopping you from doing things and being the person you want. I am here to help navigate these. Positive change is possible by focusing on understanding these challenges while providing effective strategies and skills using an integrative approach.
I specialize in working with adolescents, young adults, and adults dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, long-term substance use recovery, ADD/ADHD, grief, relationship challenges and codependency, 12-step recovery, self-esteem issues, and life transitions.
Accepting new clients. Welcome. I am a very firm believer that my clients are the experts of themselves and I am privileged to be a part of your growth and transformation. I strive to provide a warm, safe space for all and bring my genuine self to all sessions. I am a big believer of connection through humor when appropriate. My sessions include compassionate direct feedback, encouragement of new thought patterns, and curiosity rather than assumptions of your experience. I am excited to learn about my clients and collaborate on their next steps in life.
I specialize in working with adolescents, young adults, and adults dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, long-term substance use recovery, ADD/ADHD, grief, relationship challenges and codependency, 12-step recovery, self-esteem issues, and life transitions.
Accepting new clients. Welcome. I am a very firm believer that my clients are the experts of themselves and I am privileged to be a part of your growth and transformation. I strive to provide a warm, safe space for all and bring my genuine self to all sessions. I am a big believer of connection through humor when appropriate. My sessions include compassionate direct feedback, encouragement of new thought patterns, and curiosity rather than assumptions of your experience. I am excited to learn about my clients and collaborate on their next steps in life.
See more therapy options for Raritan
Nearby LGBTQ+ Therapists Searches for Raritan
- Bedminster
- Belle Mead
- Bound Brook
- Branchburg
- Bridgewater
- Hillsborough
- Martinsville
- Middlesex
- Montgomery
- Somerset
- Somerville
- South Bound Brook
LGBTQ+ Therapists
Do LGBTQ-affirmative therapists receive special training?
Yes. Many therapists who practice LGBTQ-affirmative therapy have completed specialized training, either during their degree program or as continuing education, to learn the core principles of affirmative therapy and how to best support their LGBTQ clients; some have received certifications in LGBTQ-affirmative therapy. Prospective clients should inquire as to a clinician’s background and training to ensure a good fit.
Why might I want to see an LGBTQ-affirming or LGBTQ-friendly therapist?
Queer and gender-non-conforming individuals frequently experience bias and marginalization in day-to-day life. Working with a therapist who understands these unique challenges, as well as accepts and affirms their identity, can help LGBTQ clients feel safe and supported during therapy—allowing them to better navigate their relationships, mental health, and anything else that they wish to explore during therapy. It is important to note that many therapists can be effective in their work with LGBTQ+ individuals, even in the absence of specific training or background knowledge. The most important component in therapy is the alliance between therapist and client, and this alliance can exist between individuals with very different backgrounds.
How can I find an LGBTQ-friendly therapist?
You may wish to inquire about a therapist’s expertise with your specific challenges or concerns—depression, for example, or relationship strife—as well as their past experiences treating LGBTQ+ clients. Prospective clients may also ask whether a therapist has obtained additional training and/or certification in LGBTQ-affirmative techniques.
How can I inquire about a therapist’s experience with LGBTQ issues?
Prospective clients should feel empowered to directly ask therapists whether they have received training or been certified in LGBTQ-affirming therapy; competent therapists will be happy to explain their educational background and preferred approach(es) to help a client find the best match for them. Clients may also wish to ask how a therapist has treated clients with their particular challenges in the past and what they expect treatment to look like.
Are all the therapists listed in the LGBTQ directory themselves members of the LGBTQ community?
While therapists may choose to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity in their profiles, the LGBTQ directory features not only those who have shared this information but also those who assert specialized training or experience in providing support to queer individuals, couples or families.