4 Of the Best Denver LGBTQIA+ Therapists
Let's be real: finding a therapist who truly understands queer experiences is fucking exhausting. The endless scrolling through generic therapist profiles, wondering if they'll really understand you or if you'll spend half your sessions explaining basic LGBTQ+ concepts (and paying for the privilege), can be enough to make you say "no thanks" to getting help.
That's where I come in.
I'm Chelsea, a Social Worker and Sex Therapist based in Littleton, Colorado. I identify as queer myself, so I know firsthand that being queer in our current climate can be...tough (read: a shit show). That's why my practice is dedicated to offering fellow LGBTQ+ folks (especially baby queers!) a safe space where you can explore your gender identity and sexual orientation, improve your mental health, and just generally have a place where you can be your authentic self without fear of judgment, rejection, or discrimination.
Beyond my lived experience as a queer person, I've also worked in the helping professions for over a decade. I have a Master's in Human Sexuality Education from Widener University's Center for Human Sexuality Studies and years of experience in sexual trauma intervention, school social work, and sexuality education.
I specialize in working with members of the LGBTQ+ community who:
Feel stagnant and want a "bigger" life, especially in romantic relationships
Are sick and tired of dating apps and hookup culture
Carry sexual shame related to their queer identity
Aren't fully "out" to family or coworkers
Have experienced religious trauma and confusing family messaging about sexuality
Want to explore gender expression but don't necessarily identify as trans
Deal with sexual trauma that's affecting their current relationships
Ask themselves daily if they're "queer enough" to claim that identity
Are eager to make changes but have no clue where to start
Sound familiar? You're in the right place.
My clients come to therapy seeking permission to be who they want to be. They're looking for someone who gets it, who won't pathologize their identity or desires. If you're looking for a therapist who won't blink when you talk about your kinks, your poly relationships, or your existential dread—I'm your person. Schedule a free, no-obligation vibe check today to see if we're a good fit.
If you're not sure whether we vibe, that's okay, too. You deserve inclusive, affirming support, whether that's with me or with someone else. There are some times when I may recommend another local queer affirmative therapist anyway, such as in these cases:
If you need couples/relationship therapy (I offer individual therapy only, but we can still chat about relationship issues)
If you want in-person sessions (I'm fully remote)
If you specifically want EMDR therapy
If you're a current student of Denver Public Schools (it's a conflict of interest for me)
If you need medical treatment for eating disorders or substance use
That's why I've rounded up some other local referrals. Here's to finding your dream therapeutic relationship!
4 highly recommended queer therapists in Denver, CO
1. Arianna Smith
Arianna is a licensed professional counselor and a fellow queer-identifying person in Colorado. She could be a great fit for folks who are specifically interested in internal family systems (IFS) therapy or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Arianna also incorporates witchy and spiritual elements, so I highly recommend getting in touch with her if you're woo-curious!
2. Aimee Hartwell
Aimee also specializes in supporting the LGBTQ+ community. She could be a great fit if you're looking for a queer-affirmative therapist for teens, or if you specifically need a therapist who's in-network with insurance companies.
3. Alice Henningsen
Alice is a queer and disabled therapist serving Denver clients via telehealth. Working with a therapist who shares your identities can be super helpful, so I highly recommend connecting with her if you're a fellow queer and disabled person looking for affirmative support. Plus, she's in-network with insurance if that's important to you.
4. Raquel Perez
Raquel is a gay, Mexican-American woman and a proud single mother of three. She could be a great fit if you’re looking for a BIPOC therapist, couples sex therapy, therapy services provided in Spanish (and English), or want to try ketamine-assisted therapy.
FAQs about starting LGBTQIA counseling in Denver
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LGBTQ-affirmative therapy isn't just about hanging a rainbow flag in the office and calling it a day. It's an approach that actively celebrates and validates queer identities rather than just "tolerating" them.
As an LGBTQ-affirmative therapist, I fully embrace and advocate for the entire spectrum of human sexuality and gender. I've spent over a decade working with queer individuals and have specific training in sexuality from Widener University's Center for Human Sexuality Studies. Plus, I identify as queer myself.
Affirmative therapy means I won't make you explain basic LGBTQ concepts, I won't pathologize your identity, and I'll recognize how societal oppression impacts your mental health. It means you can talk about hook-up culture, gender dysphoria, or coming out to conservative parents without worrying that I'm secretly judging you. My clients tell me things that they may never have told another person (or even admitted to themselves) and I don't take that role lightly.
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This is a really important distinction. When people talk about "gender-affirming therapy," they're usually referring to medical interventions like hormone therapy, puberty blockers, or gender confirmation surgeries that help transgender and non-binary people align their physical bodies with their gender identity. These medical services are provided by doctors, nurse practitioners, and other medical professionals.
What I offer is mental health therapy specifically for LGBTQ individuals. I don't prescribe hormones or perform medical procedures. Instead, I provide counseling services to support your mental health needs (like anxiety, depression, or trauma), navigate life transitions (whether it's coming out, discovering a new layer of your gender or sexual identity, or something like switching jobs), and just have a space where you can freely talk about your experiences.
I can also provide referrals to gender-affirming medical providers when needed and support you through those medical processes.
Both types of care are super important for your mental well-being, but they serve different purposes in a person's journey.
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There's no one-size-fits-all approach for LGBTQ therapy because, surprise, queer people aren't a monolith. In my practice, I blend several methods based on what works for you.
I primarily use relational therapy because meaningful connections are central to personal growth and healing. I also incorporate trauma-informed care, narrative therapy (helping you rewrite the stories you've internalized), and a sex-positive approach that celebrates pleasure and consent. For some clients, I might use CBT techniques to challenge internalized homophobia or somatic experiencing to address trauma stored in the body.
But honestly? I'm less interested in clinical jargon than in what actually helps you on this path of self-discovery.
The most important thing isn't the specific modality but creating an affirming, inclusive environment where you can be fully yourself, and that's what I aim to do.
How do I find a queer affirming therapist?
All of the mental health professionals listed on this page are queer-affirming therapists. But if you still haven't found the right fit, here's what to look for:
Check their specific training and education related to LGBTQIA+ issues. Do they have specialized degrees or certifications in sexuality?
Look at how they describe their practice. Is queerness an afterthought on their "we serve everyone" list, or do they specifically mention their approach to working with LGBTQIA+ individuals?
During a consultation, ask direct questions: "What's your experience working with non-binary clients?" or "How do you approach working with someone exploring their sexuality?"
Trust your gut. If you sense hesitation, confusion, or discomfort when discussing queer topics, keep looking.
Consider whether the therapist themselves identifies as part of the community. While it's not essential, having shared lived experience of the unique challenges that can come with living in a culture that "others" us can add valuable perspective.
And as always, I offer free vibe checks so you can make sure we're the right fit before jumping into therapy.
Start working with an LGBTQ therapist in Denver today
Ready to work with a therapist who won't make you explain what "questioning" means or why pronouns matter?
I'm a queer social worker and sex therapist who's been supporting the Denver community since 2014. I specialize in helping people who are exploring their identity, processing traumatic past experiences, navigating dating challenges, and breaking free from religious shame. Whether you're a baby queer terrified of coming out or someone who's been out for years but struggling with intimacy, I've got you.
My approach is professional but down-to-earth (yes, I curse in therapy sometimes) because breaking down heteronormative bullshit shouldn't require academic language.
If you're tired of feeling stuck and ready to build a life that actually feels like yours, let's talk. Start by scheduling a vibe check through my website to see if we're a good match. No pressure, no judgment— just a conversation about how we might work together. Looking forward to it!
