LCSW, 3 years of experience
New to Grow
Are you looking for a Queer Affirming Therapist? I’m here, and I’m glad you are too. My name is Lindsay and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Northwest Indiana. My work is grounded in a deep commitment to supporting individuals navigating depression, anxiety, and the complexities of identity—particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. I try to create a therapeutic space where my clients feel seen, heard, and valued exactly as they are. And while I bring a deeply affirming lens to queer and trans experiences, I welcome and work with people of all backgrounds and identities—you don’t have to be queer to feel at home here.
In our first session, the goal is to get a clear sense of what’s going on. I’ll ask plenty of questions to understand how symptoms started, what relationships look like, and what kind of support the client has. I take notes while we talk and really listen to what’s being shared. I focus on making clients feel comfortable and free to express themselves in whatever way feels authentic—there’s no pressure, no judgment. From there, our follow-ups are all about exploring practical strategies to ease the symptoms and help things feel more manageable.
I take a relaxed, down-to-earth approach to therapy because I believe you should feel comfortable talking with me. I give you my full attention and never judge—this is your space to be heard, exactly as you are. I'm here to support you fully, and when it’s helpful, I’ll offer honest feedback with care and respect. I also believe therapy doesn't have to be heavy all the time. Humor shows up in my sessions often—sometimes intentionally, sometimes not—and I welcome it. Laughter can ease tension, help us see things from new angles, and give us breathing room in tough conversations. Whether it's an awkward moment turned light-hearted or a metaphor that lands just a little too well, humor helps make the healing feel human. You don’t have to perform or be perfect here—you just have to show up, and we’ll take it from there.
I work with adults who are navigating life’s emotional ups and downs—from depression and mood disorders to anxiety, relationship stress, and identity-related challenges. Many of my clients are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply not like themselves, and they’re looking for a space to feel heard, supported, and understood. I specialize in LGBTQ+ affirming care and welcome individuals seeking validation and clarity in the face of societal pressures, family dynamics, and personal transitions. Whether someone is coping with intense feelings, questioning their identity, or trying to rebuild a sense of stability, I meet them where they are—with compassion, curiosity, and a commitment to helping them reconnect with their strengths. I do not see couples.
I often use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in sessions because it helps clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT offers practical tools to challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, manage emotional responses, and build healthier coping strategies. It’s especially effective for issues like anxiety, depression, and mood regulation. I like CBT because it’s collaborative and empowering—it gives clients a framework to make real, sustainable changes in their daily lives.
I use gender-affirming therapy because everyone deserves a space where their identity is respected, understood, and supported—without judgment or assumptions. This approach helps clients explore and express their gender in ways that feel authentic, while also addressing the stress, trauma, and stigma that often come with living in a world that doesn’t always affirm who they are. Whether someone is questioning, transitioning, or simply wanting to feel more at home in themselves, gender-affirming therapy offers validation, clarity, and healing. I especially value how it creates room for self-discovery and builds resilience, no matter where someone is on their journey.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is useful because it helps clients relate differently to their thoughts and emotions—especially the difficult ones. Instead of fighting or avoiding discomfort, ACT guides us toward noticing, accepting, and making space for it while still moving toward what truly matters. It’s a powerful way to reconnect with personal values and build psychological flexibility. I love that ACT blends mindfulness, compassion, and action—it encourages clients to live more fully, even when things feel heavy.
I like using Compassion Focused Therapy because it helps people be a lot kinder to themselves—especially when they’ve spent way too much time stuck in self-doubt or beating themselves up. It’s all about learning how to handle tough emotions without piling on more judgment or shame. It works really well for humans dealing with trauma, identity struggles, or chronic anxiety and depression. To me, compassion isn’t just nice—it’s seriously powerful. When you learn how to care for yourself the way you care for others, things start to shift in a meaningful way.