LGBTQ Competent Therapy in Cambridge, MA

In many ways, the Olympics are a mirror for so much of what is happening culturally. Take, for example, the love and acceptance that was shown to Gus Kenworthy and Adam Rippon at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. They are two openly gay athletes who competed as fans all over the world cheered them on in their competition and in their advocacy for understanding and acceptance. Gus Kenworthy competed at the previous Olympics in the closet. He reflected upon that experience, saying, “It pushed me to this place where I needed to come out and I’m so happy that I did. To take that step meant a lot for me and for my mental well-being.” Despite the courage and acceptance Adam and Gus displayed for the world, there were still many athletes who came to the games in the closet because of the rejection and abuse they would face at home if they came out. Adam and Gus both reported that several other athletes and coaches came out privately to them and discussed the discrimination they would face if they came out to the world. Yes, much progress has been made for those who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or questioning, but yes, there is also more work to do.

Think about these sobering facts:

Suicide is a leading cause of death for LGBTQ youth.
Many who identify as LGBTQ report experiencing “minority stress” as a result of facing higher rates of social exclusion, harassment, family rejection, abuse, and prejudice.
Rates of Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and other mental illnesses are higher within the LGBTQ community.

Inclusive mental health care is a significant need within the LGBTQ community. Everyone deserves to be loved and supported for who they are. That is why Thriveworks Cambridge offers LGBTQ competent therapy. We have helped many LGBTQ clients find the self-acceptance and healing they deserve.

Why Does LGBTQ Competent Counseling Matter?

Unfortunately, when people who identify as LGBTQ seek out mental health care, they may or may not find an understanding therapist. The mental health profession has history of abusive and unethical treatment. It was not until 1973 that the American Psychological Association stopped pathologizing homosexuality. Even though the official definitions changed, attitudes lagged behind. Some therapists still see gender and sexual orientation as issues to be fixed instead of realities to be accepted. Thus, some of the people who are in the most need of mental health care have the most difficulty finding quality counseling. This is such a common occurrence that it has a name: the dual stigma.

The dual stigma is a problem people within the LGBTQ community and within the mental health care community want to change. Many want to see LGBTQ people find the healing and care they deserve. While some therapists are not competent to treat clients who identify as LGBTQ, others are. Here are some tips for meeting with a new therapist and determining whether they are a competent counselor for you:

Before scheduling an appointment, ask about the therapist’s past experiences working with clients who identify as LGBTQ. Request examples.
During an appointment (if you decide to schedule one), let the therapist know that LGBTQ competent treatment is important to you.
Throughout therapy, listen to and follow your intuition. If you feel unsafe, it is okay to try a different therapist.
As therapy progresses and as you feel comfortable, disclose what you want about your own sexual identity and gender.
As you feel safe, speak about any mental health challenges you are experiencing.
There is no agenda for therapy except healing, but often, as clients feel safe, they raise issues such as…

Safety concerns
Gender and sexual identity
Healthy communication
Dealing with discrimination and non-acceptance
Dating and other relationships
How and when to come out
Family concerns
Addiction
Transcending gender roles
Eating disorders
Depression
Self-esteem issues
Anxiety and stress
Past trauma and abuse

A therapist’s main goal should be to build trust. Everyone deserves a safe space where they can share freely about their hopes and fears, opportunities and challenges, experiences and traumas, successes and failures. In order for clients to share deeply, they must trust that their therapist will meet their vulnerability with empathy. They must trust that the therapeutic relationship is a no-shame and a no-fear zone. Only when clients trust that they will be accepted for who they are can the therapeutic relationship progress. Then, the potential for healing is great. The potential for setting up a life that is founded upon self-acceptance and love is great. The potential for building a life that the client loves living is great.

Scheduling an Appointment at Thriveworks Cambridge for LGBTQ Informed Counseling

Take a moment to consider what is happening in your life right now. Are you considering going to therapy? If mental health care is the right next step for you, the therapists at Thriveworks Cambridge are ready to walk with you. We have helped many LGBTQ clients find the competent care they needed. In the processes, they have also found healing and acceptance. When you call our office, know that you will speak to a person who can help you make an appointment. New clients often have their first session within 24 hours of their first call. We accept many forms of insurance. Let’s get started.

People Love Our Providers!

Overall Rating: ★★★★★ based on 107 reviews. See all reviews

Review for Alicia Ziegler

★★★★★

I've had the pleasure of working with Alicia at her previous job. She is an incredible clinician who's knowledge, leadership, and compassionate made her an excellent supervisor and therapist.

- Cambridge Client

Hannah is excellent

I had been unable to make an appointment with a therapist for a long time. Everyone had a three month waiting list. I took a chance and made an appointment here. I love Hannah, she’s excellent, and I’m glad I found Thriveworks. It’s too soon for me to weigh in on the additional services Thriveworks offers but it seems good!

Hannah Fulkerson has been a great help

Hannah Fulkerson has been a great help in creating a dialogue between myself and my wife. Thank you.

Beautiful, clean office, and I totally dig my therapist.

Beautiful, clean office, and I totally dig my therapist. He’s great. Responsive online support and billing is a huge plus. Will be coming for a while!

Happy with the services so far.

★★★★☆

Happy with the services so far. I appreciate the access to my schedule online.

Hannah has been super helpful so far.

Hannah has been super helpful so far. She’s easy to talk to and has good analogies that put some of what I’m going through into a different perspective.

Dr. Shinohara is great.

Dr. Shinohara is great. Really has helped me with my temper and anger.

I really liked my sessions with Jess.

I really liked my sessions with Jess. She’s very easy to talk to and offers some great insights.

Great experience.

This was a good experience

This was a good experience as I was able to work through many of the thoughts that have stymied me for awhile.

I feel sure that Debbie and i will form an excellent productive partnership

I feel sure that Debbie and i will form an excellent productive partnership and get things done. The intake process was flawless and made fell that I had come to the right place.

It has been an amazing experience so far

Dr. Shinohara is my first mental health professional I am seeing. It has been an amazing experience so far. The sessions are great and the communications with him in regards to scheduling has been really helpful and appreciative. It is invaluable to have a professional in this field that can share similar identities and experience that I have as an Asian man in America. I am thankful for this opportunity.

Dr. Shinohara was very nonjudgemental and empathic.

Exactly what I was looking for in terms of supportive psychotherapy. Dr. Shinohara was very nonjudgemental and empathic. His style of questioning allowed me the space to gain my own valuable insights on my current situation.

Counselor made me feel comfortable

Counselor made me feel comfortable right off the bat. My first session provided a lit of insight. I look forward to continue this journey

Nice space, optimistic about working with my therapist

Nice space, optimistic about working with my therapist.

Pleasant First Experience

Was a little difficult to locate but they had signs overall pleasant first experience

First session!

First session so I didn’t know what to expect and realize that my counselor needs to get to know me or us first.

First sessions are tough, but I want to go back and see if this will help me.

The facility was welcoming and my counselor was excellent.

The process for scheduling an appointment was easy and the availability was amazing. The facility was welcoming and my counselor was excellent.

Great, i loved the anonymity of the waiting room

Great, i loved the anonymity of the waiting room and my counselor was friendly and made me feel very comfortable.

Open, present, and caring are essential

Open, present, and caring are essential to providing meaningful and helpful therapy. These are the natural gifts that Emily Schoenborn brings to her practice, and one of the reasons I highly recommend my colleague and fellow traveller. I might add non-judgmental (not because she's supposed to be but is), curious, and invested in her work as well, her client's welfare and well-being the constant, underlying goal throughout the therapeutic experience. Emily is the kind of therapist whose first impression on the client is in putting immediately to rest the initial fears and uncertainty that usually attend such endeavor. It's the kind of beginning that augers well for the work ahead.

Office was relaxing and the therapist was very helpful

Very responsive when I called so thats good!

I would just say include the 872 door code in the reminder email. I might have missed it in another but i wasn’t sure the code and nobody answered when I rang the bell (But were very responsive when I called so thats good!)

Julia was wonderful!

Will be back!

You folks make this experience very seamless – I’m grateful.

You folks make this experience very seamless - I’m grateful. Any uncertain comments would be about the specifics of care I received, which (since I’m a first-time therapy user) is more about vagaries of personality than your overall management.

Great first meeting!

Professional and excellent providers!

Good insights.

Good insights. Just scheduled our follow up appointment.

First one – so far so good

First one - so far so good

Deb is great

Deb is great and provides a very easy environment in which to open up. This is my first experience and pleasantly surprised by what I’ve found so far.

My therapist was great

My therapist was great. The only problem was I was not given the access code to the building and I had to wait for someone to enter the building. The doorbell to the office is useless because there is no receptionist.

Nice service

Nice service, would be better if support was more responsive

therapy is a journey

The building sometimes smells weird, but having been a resident of Boston for a long time, I know real estate isn’t always easiest to come by. So far my meetings haven’t yielded as many practical results as I’ve wanted, but I know that therapy is a journey, and just speaking to someone about my issues has been therapeutic in it’s own way.

I really enjoyed my first session

I really enjoyed my first session and the counselor. The customer service is great here. There was some confusion with billing (the reason behind not five stars). The billing did cause extra work on my part to correct, but the customer service reps were great!

I enjoyed my first session!

I enjoyed my first session! Very accessible and my therapist is very friendly and non-judging. It has been a smooth process, and I look forward to working with her.

Very helpful

Very helpful first session

Great experience so far.

Great first visit connection

Great first visit connection for Ian and his therapist!

Everyone was very friendly and helpful

Everyone was very friendly and helpful when I called and Deb was wonderful. I’m going back next week. The only thing that went wrong is that the confirmation email said the wrong address so I was 15 minutes late for the appt.

I appreciated the feedback

I appreciated the feedback and it was a productive meeting.

Great balance or listening

Great balance or listening and guiding/provoking thought.

👍👍👍

It was easy to book

It was easy to book my session, which was very helpful. Thanks.

Easy to book.

Easy to book. They are quick to respond.

Welcoming, great first session!

Therapists are always on time

Therapists are always on time. Relaxed waiting room environment. Coffee and water available too. Company seems transparent enough.

So far so good.

So far so good. First visit was a success.

So far so good!

So far so good! Easy to setup my initial appointment and can’t wait to go.

MS

★★☆☆☆

HI - I was dismayed to learn that in addition to the on-boarding fee of $99 there is now an additional concierge fee of $29 per month. This in addition to whatever co-insurance or deductible a plan may have. I have referred college students to you for years and am hoping you can help me understand this change which amounts to a $450 annual charge. That is significant for students who are many times struggling to pay for food and daily needs. You have great therapists and I wish I could continue to refer to them. Regards, Faith

I only wish

I only wish that I had been notified before being charged on my debit card instead of my HSA credit card meant to cover medical costs.

Everytime I call

Everytime I call the main number, everyone is fabulous. As many times that I have called with a question, schedule an appointment or have s problem, they are always so amazing. It's great to have this type of service when you call, it really helps!

Being first time

Being first time nothing to base it off of. Professional setting having help to understand what you sometimes cant see on your own is invaluable. Helping have a positive future.

I was able

I was able to make an appointment without a lot of stress. That's great. Thanks!

The service was

The service was great!

I’m really getting

I'm really getting a lot out of my experience so far. It's been very helpful and I look forward to my sessions because I know I will get a lot out of them and also feel safe and secure.

Great operations!

- Cambridge 872 Client

Therapist was chosen

Therapist was chosen for me with no regard to speciality. - Calls repeatedly dropped when attempting to contact main number.

Had a very

★★★☆☆

Had a very poor experience with my first therapist, causing me to leave during the session and was never followed up on. I have recently met with a new therapist who I feel is much more professional and could be a better fit. I am hesitant after my last experience but looking forward to this new relationship.

Very quick, professional,

Very quick, professional, welcoming

Negative experience. Waste

★☆☆☆☆

Negative experience. Waste of my time. Will not recommend to others. See the email I sent to ThriveWorks Support Team for details of my feedback.

I was very

I was very unimpressed with the level of professionalism my therapist showed. I arrived on time for the appointment and had to wait 10 minutes for him to arrive in the office. I found it strange when I was sitting beside a poster that said 97% of our appointments start on time. He never apologized or even acknowledged that he was running behind. When he entered the office, he didn't know my name to greet me - it was kind of like he hadn't remembered he had a session scheduled. As we started talking, I went over my reasons for coming, but he never asked general get to know you questions, things that I feel are important for establishing a baseline relationship and are also important to understand a person. He never asked what I did for a living, or anything about my relationship (which was the main reason I came in to talk), which all seemed a little strange. I can appreciate wanting to get to the root of the problems, but finding a therapist is a big enough leap of faith, and I wanted to feel comfortable and welcome, which I didn't.

Great all around

Kathleen Liakos

Kathy Liakos is very understanding, caring, empathetic and easy to talk to.

Kathleen Liakos a kind and caring Therapist. Just what I needed!! Highly recommend!

Excellent Therapist

Kathleen Liakos is a caring, knowledgeable therapist - she has been unbelievably helpful

One visit so far

First impression

A wonderful first experience and impression.

Fantastic

Fantastic experience!

Good Session

It was a good session for my first time. However, at the end it felt like it was optional to come back or proceed. It was hard for me to get a feel if this is something I would benefit from or had a connection with the therapist.

Look and Feel

Shabby look and feel.

Exceeded expectations

Russell exceeded expectations from a first session. He provided insights and suggestions with great efficiency.

So far, ok.

So far, ok. Little less than impressed with the selection of a therapist when making appointment. Russ seemed like a great guy and appropriately suggested he reviewmy son's case for a better fit. Waiting to hear back. We were 15 minutes early and appointment started more than 10 minutes late, so toss us into the 3%! Would be helpful if more info on parking and what to expect upon arrival for first appointment (or maybe I missed it).

So quickly!

Thank you for seeing me so quickly I really appreciated it!

Kathleen Laikos is the best.

I reluctantly went to a therapist at Thriveworks. I had a common misconception in my head that they'll just sit there on a yellow-lined, OfficeMax notepad while doodling and ask "how does that make you feel?" every couple of minutes. Which, for any person in the 21st century that has a brain, is infuriating. Lo and behold, this was my first impression at Thriveworks. I showed up and met with an old, white dude in his 60s or 70s that just sat in his chair, 'writing' in his notebook, and asking me how I felt. The beginning of the session started with him asking me "How are you?" My response, "I'm f***ing here so it can't be that great, can it?" Towards the end of that session he asked me about my relationship with my parents and it devolved into this completely Freudian based bullshit. The guy obviously hadn't kept up-to-date on his profession, and came off as ignorant, condescending, and just a general moron. I wish I could remember his name so you could avoid this buffoon at all costs. But I digress... I cycled through three more therapists/counselors like this. I felt like they were idiots and not really listening or trying to help, but I needed an impartial third party to talk to while I was going through major life changes I'd never faced before so I stuck it out and kept giving it another shot. Finally, I met with Kathleen. With her thick Boston accent, no bullshit demeanor, and most importantly, someone I could talk to on a similar intellectual playing field, I felt I had met my match. I'm a pretty brusque individual, and don't let a lot of people in. Kathleen tore down that wall like it was 1989 in Germany. She helped me face my issues head on, and change for the better in what was the most difficult and emotionally taxing time in my life. Let me be clear on one thing: If you're looking for someone to hold your hand through your issues and just make you 'feel better', Kathleen is not your person. If that's what you want, go get a pet. Kathleen will ask pointed, challenging questions for you to internalize and come back to her with your thoughts. I left that office so many times and just sat on the steps smoking a cigarette trying to process my thoughts and emotions based on our session. Kathleen is not afraid to call you out when you're being unreasonable. She'll relate to you and empathize with your issues; she's seen some shit in her day, that's for sure. I can count on one hand the number of times she asked me 'how does that make you feel?' in the almost two years I saw her. And when she did, it was an appropriate, empathetic, and serious question she was asking. Kathleen really did help me when I felt nobody else could. She allowed me to get a fresh lease on life. If it wasn't for her, I'd probably be facedown in a gutter somewhere. Instead, I've moved to a city I've always wanted to be in, started a new job at a dream company, and have successfully cut out every toxic person in my life and only focus on positive relationships in my life. Of course, being the kind souled and humble individual she is, she would say that all of that positivity is my doing. But without her guidance and support, I couldn't have done it without her. I'm truly grateful to have had her as a positive light in my life, and will never forget the things she's taught me.

Style over substance

Thriveworks charged a $99 fee for additional access to your therapist that, in my experience is available without this charge in every other place I've gotten therapy. Additionally, my therapist was a terrible fit, but since none of the others accepted my insurance I didn't have access to any of the other therapist. Kathylene Southard repeatedly ignored my input in my sessions, and numerous times inserted her own belief system into out sessions. I wish I'd left sooner.

Great session

I had a great session. Very much annoyed my doctor. Very comfortable environment.

Booking was easy

Booking was easy. Therapist was excellent, leading me with great questions.

Perfect

Great fit

Erika is a great fit. Heather recommended Erika, and I felt comfortable.

Talented Clinician

Alice Husted NP is an exceptionally talented clinician. Alice is kind, caring and demonstrates empathy, all the while keeping professional boundaries. I would recommend Alice to my friends and family.

Great experience

Great experience, very organized and easy to get set up. I am beyond grateful to be able to have access to these services

Wrong address

I was given the wrong address, so I ended up in the wrong building, my session went from an hour to a 25 min session. I was looking forward to my very first session but the experience was rushed due to the error on addresses.

Super Helpful

Super helpful, easy to schedule. Russ was great. Only problem was finding the place. Perhaps consider adding more clear directions for first-timers, as I ended up in the residential building searching for the suite and was almost late I had to have a resident direct me to the rear of area where the entrance to the building is.

Easy to open up

Very comfortable, great atmosphere. Easy to open up. A bit frustrating how difficult appointments are to get. But great experience.

Great first session

Great first session. Went over the basics but made me feel very comfortable explaining my doubts and concerns.

Excellent

I love Thriveworks!

It was very easy experience

It was very easy experience. People there are easy to talk to.

Looking forward to build

Looking forward to build a counseling relationship with my counselor.

Best decision

Best decision and therapist

I feel already a little better

Hedi had been my previous therapist from two years ago and still she accepted me into her busyhedule. We have just began our sessions again but I feel already a little better and level headed.

Very good

Very good and quick service

Grateful

Grateful that I have the option to see someone at who has the same beliefs as I do and can help be figure things out from a biblical perspective.

No paperwork was available for me

No paperwork was available for me to fill out when I came in, and it wasn't clear what I should do. I ended up doing my onboarding paperwork by stealing a pad of paper and a pen from a cart meant for the therapists. (I returned them when I was done!)

Went great

Our first appt went great.

Flexible withhedule.

Psychotherapist was promptly and willing to listen. She is also very flexible withhedule.

Easy to talk to

I thought Sandra was easy to talk to.

Late

Therapist was 15 minutes late and did not seem ready to see us.

Very kind

The doctor was very kind and a good listener.

Ayala was very professional

Ayala was very professional, helped me tohedule consistent follow up appointments at times that work with myhedule, and gave me activities to complete to track my progress.

will be continuing

I will be continuing my sessions. Very helpful.

I absolutely love this place.

I absolutely love this place. Very warm and welcoming office. Meeting my therapist for the first time felt so natural, Lisa was very sweet and inviting. I look forward to going back.

Very helpful staff!

By the end of the session I was confident in my decision

I was late to my first session due to snow and traffic, and I was admittedly a bit flustered. By the end of the session I was confident in my decision, and in general.

thought provoking questions

It took a long time to getheduled for an appointment, but otherwise I really liked my therapist and think she asked some thought provoking questions and will be a good fit. The office is very convenient to get to, and the facilities seemed well maintained.

Very Pleasant

My experience has been incredibly helpful thus far. I had to change counselors a few months in to my time there and this might have been a very difficult process but the transition was handled wonderfully. A very pleasant and professional experience overall.

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