Gender-Affirming Therapy Therapists in California

Gender-Affirming Therapy provides a safe, supportive space for individuals exploring, affirming, or navigating their gender identity. This compassionate approach addresses mental health needs related to gender identity, expression, and the challenges of navigating these experiences, empowering clients to build confidence, resilience, and self-acceptance. With 13 gender-affirming therapists in California, you can access expert care tailored to your unique journey. Each Grow Therapy-verified therapist listed below is currently welcoming new clients, offering timely access to specialized and inclusive mental health support.

Erica Ariza

(she/they)

Erica Ariza, LCSW - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$175/session
LCSW
17 years of experience
Virtual
I identify as queer, fat, femme and have a mixture of indigenous and colonizer DNA. I share this first because the way we identify matters. So many reasons and factors stop us from being ourselves around others and often, when we can't fully live who we are, our mental health suffers. If that's you, I'm here to help. We can work through body image issues, disordered eating, anxiety, depression, trauma, conflict management together if you're willing to do the work of honestly engaging in therapy with me. I grew up on the East Coast to immigrant parents from Colombia and lived in SoCal for 15 years and recently moved back home to be near my parents. I have a rescued pitbull that brings me lots of peace and joy and you might see him napping behind me via telehealth sessions. I enjoy hiking, cooking, reading (fiction for fun), and taking care of my indoor plants. I love learning about indigenous wisdom/practices from all over the world, herbalism, tarot, and other healing practices and beliefs that folks use to find meaning and wellness. Last but not least, I really love my job! And I do it because I believe in it and have witnessed so many people shift, grow, break patterns and learn new ones that significantly improve quality of life. If you're curious but unsure if I'd be the right fit for you, email me and we can schedule a 15 minute chat (free of charge) where you can get a better idea and ask a few questions to find out if this would be a good option for you. Please keep your email short and only include your interest in scheduling a 15 minute call and 1 or 2 sentences of what you're looking for. My email is: ericaarizalcsw@gmail.com

Lauren Abasheva, LA Counseling Studio

(she/her)

Lauren Abasheva, LA Counseling Studio, LPCC - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$110/session
LPCC
8 years of experience
Virtual
Do you ever feel like you have to monitor, pull back, and even hide yourself from others? From friends, family, acquaintances, even from yourself? Do you tend to put your needs and wants at the bottom of the list? Are you ready to commit to you? Together we will work side by side to help strengthen your confidence, awareness, insight, healing and make progress within yourself. Lauren is an Expressive Arts Therapist, Sex-positive, Kink-knowledgeable, Gender affirming, and Trauma therapist. As a white, pansexual, neurodivergent therapist, I understand that we are all different. I provide a laid-back atmosphere. I focus on helping others build an understanding about themselves, their identity, their relationships, their spiritual relationships, and the relationship they have with sex. Help others understand their trauma whether that be physical, mental, sexual, spiritual, etc. While utilizing evidence-based practices, I strive to support, encourage, and empower you. I view mental health as important as physical health. When an injury/illness occurs, seeking professional intervention, guidance, and support can improve overall wellness. Depending on your physical environment, social circle, culture, religion, heredity, and experiences. Life can look limited. Let's continue to stay curious. There are options out there that do align with you and your values. Let's work together resulting in a healthier and happier you.

JACOB HIYKEL

(he/him)

JACOB HIYKEL, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$100/session
LMFT
8 years of experience
Virtual
I am a husband, father, and twin brother (I have and identical twin sister). I am also a reiki master and hypnotherapist. When I am not conducting psychotherapy (talk therapy), I enjoy conducting past life regressions to help people resolve past life trauma. I also use hypnotherapy to heal trauma. Hypnotherapy is not covered by most insurances and may result in cash pay. I enjoy helping people identify their wants and needs so they can then identify their goals and dreams. I believe we all have had experiences that have stifled our self-confidence which then causes us to doubt our ability. I enjoy helping people discover that part of themselves that is hidden as a result. I believe the world is a collective of people. We need to take care of ourselves, each other, and the animals we share this planet with.

Pamela Pisani

(she/they)

Pamela Pisani, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$180/session
LMFT
20 years of experience
Virtual
In-person
3067 Freeport B...
Are you looking for a new direction or searching how to live your best life? Life is challenging however there are opportunities to gain new insights and learn new skills in order to enjoy life and all that it has to offer. I enjoy incorporating active things into therapy, a sense of humor, and mindfulness. If you are trying to manage anxiety, depression, stress, work challenges, relationship problems, we will work together to find the solution that works best for you. Counseling offers a safe space to explore, learn new skills, and gain the ability to truly enjoy your life. I am available every other Monday for in person appointments and have some evening availability for counseling via telehealth.

Kylie Kellas

(she/her)

Kylie Kellas, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$200/session
LMFT
8 years of experience
Virtual
Hi, I'm Kylie and I have been a therapist for 8 years, and am EMDR Certified. I support people who experience anxiety, symptoms from trauma, and LGBTQ+ issues. I have a two step approach. First I teach people how to regulate themselves in-the-moment. That way they can get back to emotional safety when things are not feeling right. Then I help people find ways to stop what is bothering them before it even starts. That can look like setting a routine that helps reduce anxiety, processing past trauma, surrounding yourself with people that make you feel great, or figuring out what gives your life meaning and helping you do that.

Fernando Aguirre

(they/them)

Fernando Aguirre, LCSW - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$160/session
LCSW
6 years of experience
Virtual
Hola! I am an LCSW based in California with 6 years of experience in the mental health field. I help adults and older adults manage and cope with a variety of mental health concerns that develop throughout the lifespan. Whether these concerns are adjusting to life-changes or managing ongoing concerns, I am here to help clients in their journey. I focus on fostering a sense of empowerment so that all clients can walk away from sessions with the motivation to enact the change they seek.

Selena Kradolfer

(she/her)

Selena Kradolfer, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$100/session
LMFT
15 years of experience
Virtual
I choose to practice trauma-informed care because intention and corrective experiences are important aspects of healing. As a therapist, I enjoy providing services for children, teens and adults of all ages, through individual, couples and family therapy. I created mytherapy.tools to provide helpful online resources to address mental health needs and remain readily available for you in your time of need.

Dr. Marjha Hunt

(she/her)

Dr. Marjha Hunt, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy

Frequently rebooked

$175/session
LMFT
10 years of experience
Virtual
Have you been a little more stressed than usual? Are you having a hard time adjusting to a change or shift in your life? Or maybe you have been struggling with sexual challenges. I empower adults to better navigate anxiety and various life stressors. From struggling with relationships to decreasing anxiety, or even just wanting to become the best version of yourself. I am a therapist that provides a safe space for you to explore, navigate, and heal from the obstacles that keep you from thriving! I use a collaborative approach and am here to support, empower, and honor you and the person you want to be.

Jason Newman

(he/him)

Jason Newman , LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$150/session
LMFT
12 years of experience
Virtual
My name is Jason Newman and I am a therapist that loves DBT skills. In my therapy practice I use a lot of these skills along solid’s narrative techniques to help clients find new ways of being in the world. I enjoy being able to help my clients grow and figure out what they need to do to feel more successful. I always believe everyone is doing the best they can with the skills they have, and we will learn new ones!

Marcos Apolonio

(he/him)

Marcos Apolonio, LCSW - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$120/session
LCSW
16 years of experience
Virtual
Marcos Apolonio is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of experience in counseling in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. He partners with clients to develop a treatment plan tailored to their needs and goals using evidence-based practices. He uses empowering and strengthening approaches, acknowledging the influence of social inequities, to provide a space where the person feels safe for sharing and processing to treat various conditions such as depression, anxiety, mood disorders, substance dependency, trauma, relationship issues, religious and spiritual trauma, and more. He is a Doctor of Clinical Social Work Program from the University of Pennsylvania, received his Master of Social Work degree with an emphasis in Community Mental Health from California State University East Bay, and a Bachelor of Theology degree from Universidade Adventista São Paulo, Brazil. He has extensive experience working with the LGBTQ community addressing issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and the impact of oppression. He is a lecturer at California State University East Bay and San Jose State University in the Master of Social Work Program.

Erin Spencer

(she/her)

Erin Spencer, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$150/session
LMFT
18 years of experience
Virtual
Hi! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist located just outside of Portland, Oregon. I am licensed in California, Oregon, and Washington. I have been practicing as a therapist for over 18 years and work full time as a manager in a large healthcare organization. I love being able to work with people to identify their goals and strategies to meet those goals, then support them along their journey. Please note: I do not specialize in couples' counseling. I work with individuals, and if appropriate and discussed thoroughly ahead of time, we may invite a significant other into a session as part of the work on your individual goals. If you are looking for therapy for you and your partner together, I highly recommend finding a provider who has training and experience to work with couples to get the most out of your therapy experience.

AMJ Alabún'mí A.M. Jones

(they/them)

AMJ Alabún'mí A.M. Jones, LCSW - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$200/session
LCSW
10 years of experience
Virtual
As an ABOLITIONIST, I believe in *literally* abolishing police, prisons, & all other forms of state violence. I am happy to discuss in-depth but for now, know that I am most heavily oriented in the work of folx like Project Nia; Interrupting Criminalization; Equitable Care Certification, and Survived & Punished. Of course, I am still deepening my learning and praxis, as one ought. As a RESOURCE MAVEN, I facilitate linkages to information & resources to support people’s wellbeing. Meaning I actually make the calls with you, etc., if wanted/needed. This type of support is a major source of joy for me & something that I’m happy to help with! I’m a FACILITATOR of JOY because, as a Queer, Disabled, Neurodivergent, fat, Gender Nonconforming Black person, I place special emphasis on helping marginalized folx find and (re)create joy in a world that denies us joy. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, my focus is on understanding the environmental and contextual factors at play in your life. I come to therapy with a trauma-informed/healing-centered perspective and work collaboratively with you on determining what kinds of interventions are best suited for your needs. My approach is laid back and can be viewed as “coachy,” meaning I ask questions and provide feedback to help you figure out solutions that will work for your life. I also encourage you to bring your creative and spiritual practices to therapy, so if you want to include art, tarot, crystals, ancestor reverence, etc., we can do that!

Carmon Williams

Carmon Williams, LCSW - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$165/session
LCSW
10 years of experience
Virtual
Kaiser client you need a referral from Kaiser first then Kaiser will send you a link to book a session with me. I specialized in treating grief, anxiety depression, anger issues, relationship issues, and behavioral disorders. Are you experiencing anxiety? Is this impacting your relationships and overall happiness? Depression manifests various forms but is among the most common issues faced by individuals today. If you do find a time in your schedule, please contact me to see if I can adjust my availability

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Frequently asked questions

Why filter by California rather than a city like LA?

When looking for online therapy, you can see anyone that is credentialed in the state. We want you to find the best fit, therefore, Grow Therapy shows available therapists across California from San Francisco to San Diego! If you’d rather see someone in-person, you can change the filter from virtual and find a therapist near you in California.

Will my therapist take insurance?

When booking you’ll be asked to verify with your Member ID. However, if you don’t have any of the insurances available you can select cash. Our therapists will have their cost of appointment on their profile. Individual session costs will vary.

How does the Specialty Filter work? Can I find a therapist that focuses on a specific issue?

The specialty filter is optional. You don’t need to check any boxes to see a provider. However, fit is very important when selecting an online therapist. If you have knowledge or experience to recognize what specialties you may need.

What are the "Clients say I'm" badges?

Grow Therapy asks patients about their experience with therapists after they have had a certain number of sessions. After enough responses, we add those characteristics to their profiles to help you find the best online therapists for you. We're still working on collecting this information from all our therapists.

Why use Gender, Age, and Identities filters?

Finding a provider with a similar life experience can be beneficial because it can be easier to establish rapport and potentially be understood quicker and clearer.

What to expect during your first session?

Your first therapy session is for you and your therapist to meet each other and to ask any questions that you have about the counseling process. This is where you can expect your therapist to do the same as they will ask questions to gain insight into your specific situation. In this first session the therapist is doing their part to gather as much information so they can better assess if they are able to meet your therapeutic needs.

Depending upon your provider's specialty, you may also discuss the methods the therapist will use. For additional information on therapy methods, please visit the Grow Therapy Help Center. Some people feel nervous before their first appointment, and that is totally normal! Coming prepared with a list of questions for your therapist may help. Remember, you're taking a brave step by seeking therapy, and it is okay to be nervous as you try something new.