Online LGBTQ+ Issues therapists in Waukegan, Illinois IL
We are proud to feature top rated online LGBTQ+ Issues therapists in Waukegan. We encourage you to review each profile to find your best match.
Cameron Staley
Psychologist, Ph.D.
I love working with individuals in exploring their identity and fostering a greater sense of who they are.
14 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL (Online Only)
Kourtney Bennett
Psychologist, Ph.D.
I strive to provide an affirming, respectful environment where LGBTQ+ clients can explore identity, relationships, stress, life transitions, and the impact of discrimination or minority stress. Therapy is tailored to your individual experiences and goals—not assumptions about who you are.
9 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL
Natalie A Shafer
Counselor/Therapist, MA, NCC, LPC
LGBTQ+ experiences are shaped by both personal identity and broader social contexts, which can impact safety, self-expression, and a sense of belonging. I approach this work with affirmation and respect, recognizing the importance of being seen and understood without judgment. Alongside our work together, I hold an advocacy-oriented perspective, supporting you in navigating challenges while honoring your identity and lived experience.
2 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL
Mind Lodge
Therapist, LCPC
Our therapists provide affirming care for LGBTQ+ clients, offering support in navigating identity, relationships, and mental health challenges with sensitivity and respect.
21 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL
Gracie Orellano
Marriage and Family Therapist, ALMFT
As a queer individual and ally, I often use my experiences within today's culture to provide insight and create connection with my clients. This identity also informs me of how to help navigate challenges faced due to ongoing societal narratives. Things can get especially tough in this community when there aren't people who understand your perspective. I want to provide a space where my LGBT+ clients feel comfortable to be themselves and express their struggles.
2 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL (Online Only)
Gemstone Wellness, Inc.
Psychologist, PsyD, LCPC, LCSW, LPC
At Gemstone Wellness, LGBTQIA2S+ therapy is not framed as helping you “figure yourself out” in isolation—it is about understanding your identity in the full context of your life, your relationships, and the systems you’ve had to navigate. We recognize that exploring sexual orientation and gender identity can be expansive and liberating, while also complex, disorienting, and at times deeply painful. Therapy creates space for all of that to exist at once, without pressure to define, label, or resolve it prematurely.
Our practice is queer-led, and many of our therapists share lived experience within LGBTQIA2S+ communities. All clinicians are deeply trained in affirming care, meaning you won’t need to educate your therapist, defend your identity, or filter your experience to be understood. If working with a queer therapist is important to you, we prioritize that in our matching process, because we believe safety and resonance are foundational to meaningful work.
We approach this work through a trauma-informed, culturally aware lens. Living outside of dominant norms often comes with chronic stress—navigating visibility, safety, family systems, religion, and broader societal messaging that can invalidate or pathologize difference. Over time, this can lead to anxiety, shame, disconnection, or a sense of fragmentation. Therapy helps contextualize these experiences so they are no longer carried as personal failures, but understood as adaptive responses to real environments.
Our work often includes exploring the intersection of identity with relationships, intimacy, and community. This may involve navigating coming out, questioning or evolving identity, processing internalized stigma, or building relationships that feel aligned and authentic. We also support clients in non-traditional relationship structures, offering care that is explicitly affirming of queer, trans, polyamorous, and kink communities.
What distinguishes Gemstone Wellness is the relational experience of therapy itself. Sessions are collaborative, engaged, and human. We are not neutral observers of your identity—we are active, curious, and attuned participants in your process. There is room for uncertainty, for humor, for grief, and for growth.
The goal is not to arrive at a fixed definition of who you are. It is to build a relationship with yourself that feels grounded, coherent, and free—so your identity becomes something you live, not something you have to prove.
10 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL
Wolf Pack Therapy
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
At Wolf Pack, we provide affirming, inclusive therapy for LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. Our team supports you in exploring identity, relationships, and life transitions with acceptance and care.
19 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL (Online Only)
Bergen Counseling Collective
Counselor/Therapist, LCPC
You deserve a therapist who gets it. Not one who needs you to educate them, not one who treats your identity as the problem to be solved, not one who's "fine with it" but clearly uncomfortable. Our clinicians provide LGBTQ+ affirming care that goes deeper than surface-level acceptance. We understand the specific stressors you navigate: family rejection or tension, coming out at different life stages, discrimination, internalized messages you're still untangling, relationships that don't fit the scripts you were handed. You don't have to translate your experience here. Telehealth throughout Illinois. BCBS PPO and Aetna accepted.
20 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL
Mindful Healing Counseling
Psychologist, PsyD
When addressing LGBTQ+ issues, we provide a welcoming and affirming space where you can feel truly seen and understood. We recognize that navigating identity, relationships, and societal pressures can bring unique challenges, and our goal is to support you in a way that honors your individuality. By offering a compassionate ear and using inclusive, strengths-based approaches, we work together to address your concerns and celebrate your authentic self. Whether you’re seeking guidance on identity, facing discrimination, or just need a safe space to express yourself, we’re here to walk with you on your journey towards empowerment and self-acceptance.
16 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL (Online Only)
Rick Tivers
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, CGP
Highly specialized in the coming out process, managing gay relationships and gay couples therapy. Formerly married to a woman 18yrs, have 3 grown children. Now married to a man and openly gay.
45 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL
Emem Itiat
Counselor/Therapist, LCPC
I work from a liberation Psychology standpoint and humanist framework observing individuals through the lens of their unique and shared intersections. When it comes to fighting against hate, discrimination, and violence against queer bodies I believe in working to enhance radical acceptance through promoting self-contentment, awareness building by identifying the underlying and overlying systems of oppression and how they manifest internally, and working towards dismantling those systems both externally and internally.
16 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL (Online Only)
Cook Counseling and Consulting Inc.
Counselor/Therapist, LISW-S, LCSW-QS, CCTP
LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) issues therapy, also known as LGBT-affirmative therapy or LGBTQ+ counseling, provides LGBT community members with support and understanding tailored to their unique experiences and difficulties. LGBT-affirmative treatment seeks to create a secure and welcoming environment where clients can explore their identities, resolve concerns about their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, and work toward greater self-acceptance and well-being.
Therapists who provide LGBT-affirmative therapy know the potential effects of heteronormativity, cisnormativity, and other forms of prejudice on their clients. They endeavor to foster an accepting, affirming, and nonjudgmental environment of diverse gender and sexual identities.
Not all therapists have specialized training or experience working with LGBT issues. If you are looking for LGBT-affirming therapy, it is recommended that you seek out therapists who advertise their expertise in this area or inquire about their experience with LGBT clients during the initial consultation.
Overall, LGBT-affirmative therapy aims to assist LGBT individuals in navigating their unique challenges, developing resilience, and fostering positive mental health and well-being in a secure and affirming therapeutic environment.
9 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL
Dr. Nicole Montes
Psychologist, PsyD
I consider myself an LGBT ally and provide gender affirming psychotherapy to trans and non-binary clients.
5 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL
Amanda S. Vaught
Psychologist, PsyD
I provide affirming, LGBTQ+ inclusive therapy for individuals exploring identity, relationships, or the impact of discrimination and marginalization. My approach celebrates authenticity and supports clients in building self-acceptance, resilience, and pride. Whether you’re navigating coming out, gender identity, family challenges, or relationship stress, I offer a safe, nonjudgmental space to be fully yourself. Using evidence-based and trauma-informed care, I help LGBTQ+ clients heal, grow, and live confidently and authentically.
14 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL (Online Only)
Along the Path Counseling Services, P.C.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Along the Path is a fully affirming practice for all gender and sexual identities. Services include individual therapy, HRT letters, gender affirming surgery letters, and gender affirming transition support.
17 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL
Dr. Evelyn Comber
Psychologist, L.C.P.C., Ph.D., M.A., M.P.C., M.H.S., B.G.S.
As an ally to LGBTQ+ people, I am committed to providing you with high quality service that suits your needs. Wherever on the rainbow you are, know that you are accepted and respected. I have some experience in this area, but hesitate to call myself an expert because, as you know, unless you are living and being in the world as an LGBTQ+ - you don't *really* know. However, I get regular training as an ally and am truly open to hearing your experience plus I bring 20+years of therapeutic knowledge of working with LGBTQ+ to the table.
31 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL (Online Only)
Nicole Houde
Pre-Licensed Professional
I work with individuals navigating LGBT issues by providing an affirming and supportive space to explore identity, relationships, and life experiences. LGBT concerns can include coming out, navigating family or social dynamics, internalized stigma, the impact of religion or spirituality, and experiences of discrimination or minority stress. In therapy, we focus on strengthening self-acceptance, processing these experiences, and building resilience in a way that feels validating and empowering. My approach is collaborative and centered on helping you feel more confident in your identity while creating a life that aligns with your values.
1 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL
Cultivate Your Essence
Registered Psychotherapist, LPC, LCPC, MFT
At Cultivate Your Essence, we provide affirming, inclusive, and culturally responsive care for individuals within the LGBTQ+ community. Our therapists offer support for identity exploration, relationships, family dynamics, discrimination-related stress, life transitions, and overall emotional wellness in a safe and affirming environment.
8 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL (Online Only)
Jerrod Johnson
Psychologist, PsyD
In therapy, we make space for difficult thoughts and emotions rather than fighting them so they have less control over your life. I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and mindfulness to help people, including those from LGBTQ+ communities, reconnect with their values and move toward a more meaningful, authentic life.
14 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL
Brandon Guin
Marriage and Family Therapist, PhD, LMFT
As a member of the LGBTQAI+ community, I'm a strong advocate for helping other LGBTQAI+ individuals.
16 Years Experience
Online in Waukegan, IL (Online Only)
LGBTQ+ Issues therapists in Waukegan, Illinois Statistics
LGBTQ+ Issues therapists in Waukegan, Illinois average 15 years of experience and charge around $201 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The most commonly treated issues are LGBTQ+ Issues (100%), Anxiety or Fears (84%), and Depression (76%).
Average years in practice
15 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$201
Gender ID
| 53% |
Female |
|
| 32% |
Male |
|
| 8% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 7% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 60% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 40% |
Online Only |
|
Top Specialties
| 100% | LGBTQ+ Issues |
| 84% | Anxiety or Fears |
| 76% | Depression |
| 65% | Trauma and PTSD |
| 58% | Stress |
| 55% | Loss or Grief |
| 53% | Relationship and Marriage Counseling |