Discover how starting LGBTQIA+ counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
6 therapists available in Columbia
I understand how trauma can shape the way we see ourselves and the world, and my goal is to help clients regain a sense of safety,...
About
I understand how trauma can shape the way we see ourselves and the world, and my goal is to help clients regain a sense of safety, control, and trust in their own resilience.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 8 years of experience supporting adults of all ages in inpatient, outpatient, and residential settings. I specialize in helping clients navigate complex mental health challenges such as dual diagnosis, addiction, and life transitions. I bring both clinical expertise and genuine compassion, meeting each client where they are while guiding them toward the life they want to live.
I earned my Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Capella University. My background includes work in inpatient and outpatient hospitals as well as adolescent residential care. I integrate mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic approaches to help clients understand themselves and develop healthier emotional balance and resilience.
My goal is to guide you with clarity, empathy, and structure so therapy becomes more than a place to talk; it becomes a space for growth and meaningful change. Whether you’re managing anxiety, depression, trauma, or addiction, I provide a collaborative and supportive environment tailored to your needs, empowering you to heal and thrive.
Education and training
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As one who understands what it means to persevere through life’s challenges while still showing up with strength and compassion fo...
As one who understands what it means to persevere through life’s challenges while still showing up with strength and compassion for myself and my family, I bring that same understanding into the work I do with my clients.
I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker – Clinical Practice with 9years of experience. As a certified alcohol and drug counselor, holistic birth doula, and military veteran, I understand the weight of caring for others while carrying your own responsibilities. I specialize in supporting children, adolescents, and adults facing anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, grief, and substance use, helping them find calm, clarity, and connection in the midst of life’s challenges.
I earned my Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Kentucky. My approach is grounded in compassion and evidence-based care, including cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care. I also draw from client-centered and strength-based perspectives to honor each person’s story and culture.
You deserve a safe, supportive space where your story matters and your healing unfolds at your own pace. Whether you’re ready to take a big step toward healing or just starting to explore, I would be honored to walk beside you as you build greater balance, peace, and purpose in your life.
As a woman who has experienced many life challenges, adjustments, and losses, I understand the importance of therapy. My work cent...
As a woman who has experienced many life challenges, adjustments, and losses, I understand the importance of therapy. My work centers on balance, resilience, play, and self-exploration to see the whole person.
I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker - Clinical Practice with 21 years of experience supporting individuals on their path to healing and growth. I specialize in helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, and identity-related concerns, while creating a safe and affirming space for exploration and transformation. My work is grounded in compassion, authenticity, and empowerment, helping clients build resilience and reconnect with their inner strength.
I earned a Master’s in Social Work from Widener University. I use an integrative approach that blends cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care to meet each client’s unique needs. My goal is to help clients gain insight, develop effective coping skills, and experience meaningful personal change.
I believe therapy is a collaborative journey where healing unfolds through self-discovery and connection. Together, we’ll explore challenges, identify strengths, and create a plan that supports your goals. Whether you’re seeking relief, clarity, or transformation, I’m here to walk beside you every step of the way.
As a woman who has spent a long time learning how to claim my authentic self to empower my personal choices, I use my own loss, gr...
As a woman who has spent a long time learning how to claim my authentic self to empower my personal choices, I use my own loss, grief, and trauma, as well as life changes, to witness my clients' truth and courage to choose their transformation.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 27 years of experience helping children, adults, couples, and families navigate depression, anxiety, grief, ADHD, post-traumatic stress disorder, and major life transitions. My goal is to provide compassionate and grounded support as clients explore their emotional patterns and rediscover their capacity for healing, growth, and connection in a safe, nonjudgmental space.
I earned a Master’s in Counseling from the University of South Carolina. I believe that healing begins with awareness and recognizing outdated coping mechanisms and learning new ways to respond that align with who you are today. My approach integrates cognitive behavioral therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing.
I encourage clients to feel deeply without losing themselves in the process and to “feel everything, just don’t drown in it.” I believe healing is found in mindful presence, self-compassion, and consistency. I would be honored to walk beside you as you uncover your most authentic self and build a life rooted in strength, peace, and empowerment.
As a military soldier who has experienced trauma and trauma-related symptoms on and off the battlefield, I am committed to showing...
As a military soldier who has experienced trauma and trauma-related symptoms on and off the battlefield, I am committed to showing others empathy and to the success of their treatment outcome.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 8 years of experience helping individuals overcome trauma and achieve emotional balance. As a 20-year military veteran, I bring structure, discipline, and compassion to my work. I have supported clients with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and personality disorders across inpatient and outpatient settings. My goal is to create a safe and empowering environment where every person is treated with dignity and respect.
I earned my Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from South University and completed my psychology studies at the University of Phoenix. I integrate cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy to help clients identify unhelpful thoughts, manage emotions, and navigate life’s challenges effectively.
I am committed to walking beside my clients on their healing journey, offering empathy, accountability, and unwavering support. Guided by my military values, I believe in never leaving anyone behind—especially when it comes to mental health. Together, we will work to uncover strength, resilience, and hope for a better tomorrow.
Reaching out for help can be daunting, but I’m here to support, encourage, and guide you as you work toward becoming the best vers...
Reaching out for help can be daunting, but I’m here to support, encourage, and guide you as you work toward becoming the best version of yourself.
Christine Leonard, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Addiction Counselor Supervisor, brings over 12 years of experience working with adolescents, young adults, and adults. Christine specializes in working with individuals with addictions, trauma, PTSD, anger, and ADHD. She is committed to creating a safe, judgment-free space where clients can express themselves openly. Christine empowers individuals to build confidence, overcome challenges, and make positive, lasting changes for a more fulfilling future.
Christine holds a Master’s in Addiction Counseling from Grand Canyon University. She takes a client-centered approach, working to create personalized treatment plans. She integrates evidence-based methods, including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused brief therapy, to restore balance and resilience. Christine prioritizes a trusting therapeutic relationship to support growth and healing.
Christine understands how hard it can be to seek help and honors each client’s courage in taking that first step. She is passionate about helping individuals develop insight, self-awareness, and strength, leading to lasting personal growth. Christine looks forward to supporting you on your unique journey.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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LGBTQIA+ counseling is a type of queer affirmative counseling dedicated to assisting individuals and couples in navigating the intricate intersections of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and mental health, with a primary goal of fostering well-being, self-acceptance, and affirming a client’s life experiences as a queer individual. Although not all LGBTQ+ individuals seek specialized counseling, a substantial number discover vital support and empathy within these inclusive and affirming therapeutic settings.
Thriveworks LGBTQ+ counseling in Columbia, SC typically begins with an initial assessment to understand your specific needs. LGBTQ+ counselors aim to create a safe, inclusive, and affirming environment for anyone within the LGBTQ+ community by encouraging self-acceptance and offering an understanding of your identity and experiences. LGBTQ+ therapy addresses issues like coming out, discrimination, mental health challenges, and gender transition, and provides support for LGBTQ+ relationships.
LGBTQ+ counseling is incredibly important because it can help queer individuals accept their identity, learn self-love, and give them important tools for facing the challenges of being a queer person in today’s society, among many other benefits. LGBTQ+-affirming therapists can understand the unique perspective and experiences of queer individuals as they help them process past trauma, address family conflicts, treat issues with anxiety, and more.
Thriveworks LGBTQ+ counseling in Columbia, SC is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The number of sessions for LGBTQ+ counseling depends on the specific needs and goals of the individual. It could encompass a relatively limited series of sessions or extend into a longer counseling plan. The precise quantity and duration of sessions typically emerge through collaborative discussion with the counselor, taking into account the client’s progress and their therapeutic objectives.
Living in freedom—the freedom to be oneself—is the foundational of good emotional health. This includes the freedom to have one’s own likes and dislikes. This includes being honest about one’s weaknesses and strengths. This includes being true to one’s gender and sexuality. Those within the LGBTQ community face roadblocks that others do not.
The therapists and counselors at Thriveworks Columbia understand the many forms those obstacles can take, and we are ready to offer support and care for they journey toward self-acceptance and mental health. If you think you would benefit from LGBTQ+ counseling, reach out to Thriveworks in Columbia today. We’re here to help.
People who identify as LGBTQ still face an untrue and unfaith stigma that is nonetheless very real, and this stigma demands a psychological and emotional price. The stress of experience discrimination, harassment, and rejection at higher rates than others has real-life impact. Here is a glimpse into that impact:
The cultural and social context that people live in matters, and given this context, it is understandable that many people within the LGBTQ community have hesitated to reach out for help. However, times are changing. More and more, therapists and counselors are sensitive toward the unique circumstances that their LGBTQ clients face. More and more, LGBTQ people are reaching out for the mental health care they need.
What does it look like for therapists to offer LGBTQ informed care? The counselors at Thriveworks work hard to build trust with their clients. We know that everyone needs a safe place to be themselves, to speak their truth, to tell their story, and to be heard. Our therapists understand the harm that harassment, discrimination, and abuse causes. We honor our clients’ pain. We also honor our clients’ dreams. Many clients also need a safe place to dream and an ally to accomplish those dreams.
There is no formula, but many topics that arise in therapy include:
Take a moment to think about what is going on in your life right now. If you are facing discrimination or family rejection or a mental health disorder or minority stress or any number of issues, know that you are not alone. The therapists are Thriveworks Columbia are ready to provide the mental health care you deserve. When you contact our office, know that a real person will answer the phone and help you make an appointment. We do not have an automated response system or a voicemail. New clients often have their first appointment within the same week. Weekend and evening sessions are offer. We also accept many forms of insurance. Let’s work together. Call Thriveworks Columbia today.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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