Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

9,331 people sought LGBTQ+ counseling help in Virginia in the last year

Discover how starting LGBTQ+ counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS, Cigna | Evernorth, +3 more
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Sometimes life takes unexpected turns, leaving us unsure on where to begin with untangling the stories we've collected along the way.

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Starting LGBTQ+ counseling

What is LGBTQ+ counseling?

LGBTQ+ 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.

How does LGBTQ+ counseling work?

Thriveworks LGBTQ+ counseling in Blacksburg, VA 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. The therapy addresses issues like coming out, discrimination, mental health challenges, and gender transition, and provides support for LGBTQ+ relationships.

Why is LGBTQ+ counseling important?

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.

Is LGBTQ+ counseling conducted in person or online?

Thriveworks LGBTQ+ counseling in Blacksburg, VA is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does LGBTQ+ counseling last?

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.

Need more help deciding?

Is there an advantage to seeing an LGBTQ-informed counselor?

At Thriveworks Blacksburg, we certainly believe there is. In many ways, people in the LGBTQ community are just like anyone else. In other ways, the LGBTQ community faces unique challenges that can hinder their ability to navigate emotional stress and traumas. What are some of those challenges? Well, they can include but are not limited to:

  • rejection by friends/family
  • societal oppression, homophobia, transphobia
  • confusion with regards to gender roles/expectations
  • increased risk for being a victim of person-on-person crimes
  • higher suicide rates

Whether in spite of, or because of these things, the LGBTQ community faces mental health concerns just like the rest of the population. However, they experience more negative mental health outcomes, possibly because of these prejudices and biases. At Thriveworks Blacksburg, we offer a space that is welcoming, supportive, knowledgeable, and free from bias. We want to ensure a positive outcome for our LGBTQ clients.

One of our goals is to inspire and empower our clients, while helping them achieve their goals. While a person’s gender identity may not be a source of stress, LGBTQ people often find that the social stigma of living as a minority is stressful, and can lead to anxiety and other mental health issues. At Thriveworks Blacksburg LGBTQ counseling, we believe that whether one is seeking therapy for gender identity issues, or for other mental health concerns, it’s important to work with a qualified mental health professional who is LGBTQ informed.

What Issues Might LGBTQ People Face?

Society’s acceptance of diverse sexual orientations and gender identifications is progressing. But the fact remains that bullying, discrimination, and marginalization of LGBTQ people continues, sometimes even in one’s own family unfortunately. Add to that the usual daily stressors, such as relational complexities, workplace concerns, or low self-esteem, and the result is higher levels of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other mental health concerns for LGBTQ people.

Seeking Therapy for LGBTQ-specific issues

Though many therapists may be qualified to help, sometimes LGBTQ clients feel more comfortable with an LGBTQ therapist, or at least an LGBTQ informed therapist. Knowing what challenges you may face as a member of the LGBTQ community and working with LGBTQ inclusive providers can help ensure more positive outcome.

Prejudice & Stigma

“Minority stress” within the LGBTQ community comes from a variety of factors including social stigma, discrimination, prejudice, denial of civil and human rights, abuse, harassment, victimization, social exclusion, and family rejection. Though not all people will face mental health challenges, discrimination or violence, many people report less mental well-being and satisfaction.

Your LGBTQ – Informed Therapist

Though more therapists today have positive attitudes toward the LGBTQ community, people still face unequal care due to a lack of training and/or understanding. Here at Thriveworks LGBTQ Counseling in Blacksburg, our providers have up-to-date knowledge of the unique needs of the LGBTQ community and experience with LGBT mental health issues.They will focus on more than just a your sexual orientation and/or gender identity. We want you to feel comfortable, welcome, supported, and cared for. You can be confident in talking about sensitive issues, your thoughts, and feelings. Here, you’ll receive acceptance, support, and encouragement to grow and ultimately, to THRIVE.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Blacksburg therapists and counselors accept 30 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Connecticut | BCBS

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas HMO

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

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Self-pay costs at Blacksburg
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.7 Thriveworks Blacksburg reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
So nice, reassuring, helpful for what I needed. Explained everything very well. I feel I don’t have a bunch of questions I should have asked.
Read more So nice, reassuring, helpful for what I needed. Explained everything very well. I feel I don’t have a bunch of questions I should have asked.
Blacksburg May 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Turns out our councilor in Blacksburg is working out great! This was a good idea. Highly recommend! Kudo's to Kelly.
Read more Turns out our councilor in Blacksburg is working out great! This was a good idea. Highly recommend! Kudo's to Kelly.
Blacksburg Jan 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
We have been providing the billing services to Thriveworks Blacksburgs for a good period of time now, we have had excellent professional relationship with all the staff there. They are true professional, always provide us the helping hand. And are very efficient is providing response to any query of questions. It is truly amazing working with them.
Read more We have been providing the billing services to Thriveworks Blacksburgs for a good period of time now, we have had excellent professional relationship with all the staff there. They are true professional, always provide us the helping hand. And are very efficient is providing response to any query of questions. It is truly amazing working with them.
Blacksburg Jun 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
When I arrived at the Blacksburg office for counseling I got a peaceful feeling. The paper work was not daunting and my counselor greeted me in a friendly and professional manner.
Read more When I arrived at the Blacksburg office for counseling I got a peaceful feeling. The paper work was not daunting and my counselor greeted me in a friendly and professional manner.
Blacksburg Aug 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I appreciated the location of the Blacksburg office. It's a pleasant place, just off the highway and feels safe. While I waited I was met by pleasant staff and refreshments.
Read more I appreciated the location of the Blacksburg office. It's a pleasant place, just off the highway and feels safe. While I waited I was met by pleasant staff and refreshments.
Blacksburg Aug 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
The waiting room was so inviting and the counselor had recognized me that made me feel very comfortable. I was tense from the unknown of therapy and it was so good to be "humanized."
Read more The waiting room was so inviting and the counselor had recognized me that made me feel very comfortable. I was tense from the unknown of therapy and it was so good to be "humanized."
Blacksburg Aug 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I met the Thriveworks owner to inquire about the services offered. She was very helpful with her answers, she was very patient as she gave me her time and focus, and made me feel entirely at "home."
Read more I met the Thriveworks owner to inquire about the services offered. She was very helpful with her answers, she was very patient as she gave me her time and focus, and made me feel entirely at "home."
Blacksburg Apr 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Close to downtown Blacksburg and easy to get a hold of. Just what is needed for this area.
Blacksburg Dec 2017
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

We share a building with several other businesses including Fresenius Kidney Care Montgomery County, the Islamic Center of Blacksburg, and Thermostats Service and Repair Company. Next door to us Robinson, Farmer, and Cox Associates, an account service. Nearby is also a Courtyard by Marriott hotel and Park Commercial Realty.

Phone number

(540) 361-6270

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
  • Spanish
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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