Counseling & Therapy
Who is a gender therapist? Choosing a general therapist is challenging for many people and finding an experienced gender therapist can feel even more intimidatingly complicated. Not all clinicians who state that they treat transgender individuals have the same level of experience. The link below will help you ask the right questions to make sure that your gender therapist has the training, experience and sensitivity to be right for you, your child or your family: https://ryansallans.com/trans/finding-a-trans-friendly-therapist/
Gender Specialists
Santa Cruz
Gender Therapists Consultation Group lead contact
Harper Cheaney, LMFT
Children, adolescents, adults, families
cheaneypsychotherapy@gmail.com
831-471-7893
Therapists
Alphabetical by last name
Connie Batten, LMFT
Life-threatening illness, grief/loss, life transitions, couples
340 Soquel Ave., Suite 103, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831-425-4432
Melissa Bernstein, LMFT (she/her/ella)
Individual, family, groups, children, adolescents, adults, servicios bilingües
200 Washington Street, Suite 210, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-713-7876
Erin Bucci, MFT
9019 Soquel Dr. Suite 100, Aptos, CA 95003
831-247-2503
Victoria Campbell, LMFT
Adolescents, adults, couples, groups
903 Pacific Ave., Suite 207B, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-588-7631
Eileen Cavalier, LMFT
Families, couples, trans family members, dualdiagnosis
5905 Soquel Dr., Suite 250, Soquel, CA 95073
831-425-3118
Dima Dashevsky, LMFT
Adults, young adults, couples and non-monogamous relationships. Dima, who is queer and trans, brings a warm and supportive style to working relationally and somatically with clients.
Currently all Telehealth
510-871-3462
dimadashevsky@gmail.com
Murphy de Sousa, LMFT (Murphy/Murphy’s or they/them)
Adolescents, young adults (Medi-Cal, Blue Cross, uninsured)
831-216-6433
murphydesousa@gmail.com
Mischa Eovaldi, LCSW
Bilingual (Spanish/English), EMDR, teens, elderly
8065 Aptos St., Aptos, CA 95003
831-685-3219
Family Service Agency of the Central Coast
First Step Counseling, youth, families, Medi-Cal
104 Walnut Avenue, Suite 208, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-423-9444
2901 Park Avenue, Suite A3, Soquel, CA 95073
831-346-6767
Ben Geilhufe, MA, LPCC
Young children, adolescents, adults, families
1406 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Finn Gratton, LMFT
Children, adults, families, somatic work
831-824-4637
Micah Hammond, LPCC
Eating disorders, body image, grief/loss, EMDR
6630 Highway 9, Felton, CA 95018
831-854-7801
micah.hammond.lpcc@gmail.com
Shane Hill, Ph.D.
Awareness-centered therapy and mindfulness
practices for adults and couples
831-423-0849
Kaleo Kaluhiwa, LMFT
Youth, Adults, Couples, Families
HIV, life transitions, somatic and meditative approaches
550 Water Street, C-2, Santa Cruz
831-222-0068
kaleotherapy@gmail.com
Leah Kaplan, LCSW (she/they)
Teens, Adults, Couples
Telehealth and Walk and Talk Therapy
(669) 221-4386
leah@leahkaplantherapy.com
Renee Lion, LCSW (she/her)
Anthem and Medicare
1663 Dominican Way, Suite 110B, Santa Cruz, CA 95065
831- 454-6450
Kristin Olafson, LCSW
Youth and families, Medi-Cal only
Children’s Mental Health, SC County
831-454-5288
(831)515-5445
Felicia L. Ortiz, J.D., M.F.T
Adults, College Students, Adolescents, Families (including adult conflict), Gender Affirming therapy, Support for partners/parents of trans folx
Santa Cruz and Solano Co. offices (Currently virtual only)
Founder: 707lgbt.com
Anna Paganelli, LMFT
Adults, adolescents, individuals, couples, families
340 Soquel Ave Suite 107, Santa Cruz CA 95062
831-425-7400
Andrew Purchin, LCSW
Children, teens, families, EMDR
550 Water St #C-2, Santa Cruz CA 95060
831-460-0241
Ride The Wave Recovery
Outpatient therapy for clients of all genders recovering from eating disorders, addictions, codependency and trauma.
104 Walnut Ave Suite 200, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-275-5481
admin@ridethewaverecovery
Anthony Ross, AMFT (he/him/his) #132927
Shine a Light Counseling Center
Supervised by: Tim Hartnett, LMFT #27228
831-288-2039
anthony@shinealight.info
Sean Senechal, MA, ABD, BCBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst/Therapist
Person-centered ABA, Behavior Therapy, Activation, Cognitive - Behavior Therapy, Functional Psychotherapy:
Anxiety, Gender, Sexuality, Sex, Autism, Academics & Learning
Students, Adults, in Diverse Communities: Neuro/Gender/Sex/Sexuality (Nonbinary, Queer, Trans, Agender, or questioning)
SF Bay/Santa Cruz/Monterey Counties
650-866-1499
Jan Sollom-Brotherton, LMFT
Adults, College Students, Adolescents
740 Front Street suite 345, Santa Cruz 95060
510-658-1931
Rhiannon Soto, LPCC
Santa Cruz City School District
Branciforte Middle School
315 Poplar Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831-429-3833
rhiannonsoto@sccs.net
Taylor Stocki, ASW (they/he)
Adolescents and adults
MediCal and sliding scale available
700 Frederick St., Suite 103
Santa Cruz, CA, 95062
831.316.4277
taylortstocki@gmail.com
Katherine M. Zwick, LPCC, CGP
Ride The Wave Recovery
325 Soquel Ave Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831 275 5481
admin@ridethewaverecovery.com
UCSC
LGBTQ+ Counseling Services
While all CAPS counselors have training and experience working with LGBTQ+ students, sometimes it’s important to know your counselor is queer identified. Our LGBTQ+ counselors are knowledgeable about intersecting and non-binary identities, polyamory, the coming out process, experiences of homophobia and transphobia, adjustment to college, family concerns, trauma, self-esteem, and much more.
831-459-2628
Monterey
Maren Martin, LCSW
Adults, couples, sex therapy, trans teens/families
207 16th Street, #305, Pacific Grove, CA. 93950
831-375-1134
marenmartin@gmail.com
Carmen Martin, MA, LMFT (she/her)
Carmel, CA
831-277-1877
Counseling and Therapy Services (CATS)
CATS is a program of Community Human Services in collaboration with John XXIII AIDS Ministry and Monterey County AIDS Project. Provides receive free, confidential counseling (English or Spanish) to improve your mental or emotional health. Our LGBT-affirmative staff, including an LGBT-identified psychotherapist, provide a safe and supportive space in which LGBT and/or HIV+ individuals and their families can receive counseling. Potential counseling issues include gender identity and intersexuality. Services are available in Salinas and Seaside by appointment.
Phone: 831-757-7915 (appointments) or 831-442-3959 (information)
Santa Clara County
Mind the Gap
Gender Affirmative Care for Children, Youth, & Their Families in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area
Mind the Gap, founded in 2009, is the mental health consortium of the UCSF Child and Adolescent Gender Center (CAGC). We are a group of San Francisco Bay Area psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, social workers, and other allied professionals who provide gender-affirmative services to gender expansive, gender creative, and transgender children, youth, and their families.
genderyouthproviders.com
The Gender Affirming Care Clinic
County of Santa Clara - Behavioral Health Services
Medi-Cal or uninsured
1870 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 961-4490
The Gender Affirming Care Clinic (GACC) provides outpatient behavioral health services to transgender and gender diverse children (ages 5+), youth, and adults in Santa Clara County. The GACC strives to support folks with gender exploration and congruence, as well as cultivating gender joy. GACC Flyer
Kara Kasteen
1190 Bascom Avenue #205
San Jose, CA 95128
Tel: 408-673-8646
Lida Vala, LMFT
125 East Sunnyoaks Ave., Suite 115
Campbell, CA 95008
Tel: 408-430-7530
lida.vala@gmail.com
Bay Area
Mind the Gap
Gender Affirmative Care for Children, Youth, & Their Families in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area
Mind the Gap, founded in 2009, is the mental health consortium of the UCSF Child and Adolescent Gender Center (CAGC). We are a group of San Francisco Bay Area psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, social workers, and other allied professionals who provide gender-affirmative services to gender expansive, gender creative, and transgender children, youth, and their families.
genderyouthproviders.com
Lyon-Martin Mental Health Services
Lyon-Martin recognizes the relationship between the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of a patient’s health. Our philosophy is to offer a holistic approach to care, attempting to address each of these factors. To that end, our mental health providers closely collaborate with our medical providers to offer a range of services that support patients’ emotional and psychological well-being. These services are affirmative, sex-positive, respectful and culturally sensitive.
1735 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Tel: 415-565-7667 ext 351
Sam del Castillo, Ph.D.
Dr. Sam del Castillo (they/elle) is a licensed psychologist practicing in Redwood City. Sam specializes in working with trans folks, as well as parents of trans kids and parents who are trans themselves.
dr.sam@almahealingtherapy.com
650-240-3119
Telehealth
Stephen L. Braveman
Board Certified Sex Therapist and Gender Specialist
Tel: 831-375-7553
Sam del Castillo, Ph.D.
Dr. Sam del Castillo (they/elle) is a licensed psychologist practicing in Redwood City. Sam specializes in working with trans folks, as well as parents of trans kids and parents who are trans themselves.
dr.sam@almahealingtherapy.com
650-240-3119
Sharon Papo, LCSW
Adults, adolescents, parents
831-440-7041
General Therapists
Santa Cruz
Deborah Abbott, MA, LMFT
30+ years of serving Santa Cruz's GLBTIQ+ community. Extensive experience with trans, genderqueer & nonbinary adult individuals, partners and family members.
Offices in Santa Cruz and Soquel
831.345.1925
debabbott.lmft@gmail.com
Facebook: TransLove
T. Antonia Broccoli, MSW, LCSW
Transgender Therapist/Clinical Social Worker
Specialties: Gender Queer/FTM/Questioning/Intersex
5905 Soquel Drive, Suite 200, Soquel, CA 95073
Tel: 831-566-4409
Melissa Fritchle, MA LMFT
Holistic Psychotherapist, Sex Therapist and Gender Specialist
CA Lic Marriage and Family Therapist #48627
Appts available in Capitola
Tel: 831-471-5797
I have broad experience working with trans clients and have some limited sliding scale spots available for QTBIPOC clients. I also keep two low sliding scale spots per month open for trans clients seeking brief access to therapy primarily for WPATH letters to access gender affirming healthcare.
2125 Delaware Street, Suite A, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
855-852-4968
Rebecca Leib, Ph.D
Clinical psychologist specializing in children and adolescents
Specialties: Intensive outpatient services, gender and sexuality, trauma/sexual abuse, self harm
6216a Highway 9
Felton, CA, 95018
Tel: 831-419-5699
Support Groups & Peer Counseling
Santa Cruz
Transgender & Non-Binary Support Group at the Diversity Center
This support and discussion group is for people (of any age) who identify on the spectrum of trans/nonbinary/agender/genderfluid and more. The group also welcomes those who want to explore their identity, but who may not need or want to classify themselves. All individuals are encouraged to explore their individual selves, without concern or pressure that the next step need be ‘transitioning,’ and without concern about fitting into other people's definitions. Make up your own! The Diversity Center's transgender and non-binary peer support group provides a supportive and interactive experience in a safe and brave space.
Visit diversitycenter.org/trans for meeting times and Zoom information.
Transmasculine Peer Support Group at the Diversity Center
Santa Cruz Trans* Masculine group offers peer support and social connections. All FTM, transmen, masculine-spectrum, butch, boi, folks questioning their gender, etc are welcome.
Visit diversitycenter.org/trans for meeting times or email the Diversity Center for more information: transmascgroup@diversitycenter.org
Cultivating Trans Joy
Third Fridays on Zoom at 4:30 pm
Cultivating Trans Joy is a community group for trans and non-binary young adults ages 18 - 26 to engage in reflection, discussion, and activities focused on cultivating joy and wellbeing. This monthly program occurs virtually every third Friday at 4:30 PM PST/7:30 PM EST. Cultivating Trans Joy is facilitated by trans educator and advocate Emmett Griffith (he/him). Please reach out to emmettgriffith@diversitycenter.org if you're interested in joining or have any questions!
Gender Expansive Virtual Youth Group at the Diversity Center
The Diversity Center hosts a variety of groups and activities for LGBTQIA+ youth. Visit their website for the most current offerings: diversitycenter.org/youth
Trans Support Groups at UCSC
Visit UCSC Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) for a listing of current support groups.
Check out UCSC Lionel Cantú Queer Resource Center for other trans resources at UCSC.
Transfamilies of Santa Cruz County: Celebrating our gender diverse children
We are a community of parents and families supporting our transgender children and each other through shared experience and the process of understanding transgender issues. Our meetings are for parents and adult family members. We also have family gatherings throughout the year that include our children and all family members.
Meeting are currently being held in person and over Zoom. Email transfamiliesofsantacruz@gmail.com for a link or for in-person meeting information.
Monterey
Our Gente at the Epicenter
Our Gente is the LGBTQ+ Services program of The Epicenter that exists to create safe environments and opportunities to affect positive change and growth for LGBTQ+ youth in Monterey County.
Our Gente programming includes peer social support and community building for LGBTQ+ youth, community and agency trainings, special events, and peer support for parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth.
737 South Main Street, Salinas CA 93901
(831) 998-7291
Transgender Support Group at the Intimacy, Sexuality & Gender Center of Monterey
A safe and confidential support group addressing the needs of Trans Women, Trans Men, Gender Queer, Gender Non-Conforming and Intersex people. Pre-op, Post-op and Non-op warmly welcomed!
Meet with others that are on the same path. Share your story, learn from others and support each other. This group is lead by Stephen L. Braveman, LMFT, DST, and co-lead by Wanda Braveman and is a two-hour therapy group that meets monthly and meets the WPATH Standards of Care.
Intimacy, Sexuality & Gender Center of Monterey
info@isgcmonterey.net
(831) 375.7553
Santa Clara
LGBTQ Youth Space
For lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and ally youth and young adults ages 13-25, living in Santa Clara County. LGBTQY Youth Space offers multiple support groups and individual counseling. Counseling is confidential and is offered in English, Spanish and American Sign Language. Folks between the ages of 13-25 insured through Santa Clara County based Medi-Cal or who are uninsured are eligible for counseling services. Services are free and confidential. Youth and young adults insured through a private insurance company may contact us for references to local LGBTQ friendly providers.
LGBTQ Youth Space
452 South First St.
San Jose, CA 95113
408-343-7940
youthspace.org
Bay Area
Transgender Support Groups at the Pacific Center
Multiple support groups for transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming youth, adults, their families, and partners. Visit their website for more information: pacificcenter.org/current-peer-groups
The Pacific Center
2712 Telegraph Ave
Berkeley, CA 94705
510-548-8283
What's the T?: Community Building Group for TGNC Youth at Lyric
A community building group for trans and gender non-conforming youth 18 and under to meet each other, build relationships, and discuss topics like healthy communication, gender journeys, TGNC hxstory, sewing, astrology, and arts and crafts
LYRIC Center for LGBTQQ+ Youth
127 Collingwood Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
415-703-6150
sonemani@lyric.org
St. James Infirmary Peer Counseling & Support Groups
Peer counseling sessions are provided by staff on a drop-in basis on Wednesday nights 6-9pm. These sessions provide non-judgmental individual and/or group support services which focus on a variety of topics which affect the quality of life and safety of Sex Workers.
Support groups are offered periodically and have included topics such as Self Care for Sex Workers, Trauma-Informed Yoga, Seeking Safety, D-SINE Fashion Group, Mujeres Latinas en Acción: a Spanish-language weekly support, social, and activism group for Trans Latinas, and many more. Stay tuned to our monthly calendar or call our clinic to find out what groups are active today!
Please call 415-554-8494 or attend our Wednesday Night Drop-In Clinic from 6-9pm to complete a brief mental health screening to determine eligibility and be enrolled in our program.
St. James Infirmary
730 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA, 94109
415-554-8494
stjamesinfirmary.org
Lyon Martin Group Therapy
Lyon Martin Health Services and Women’s Community Clinic provides primary medical care, sexual and reproductive health care, and mental health services for women, gender non-conforming people, and transgender people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. We treat people regardless of ability to pay and assist people with enrollment into a variety of health coverage programs.
Lyon Martin Health Services
1735 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 565-7667
healthright360.org/agency/lyon-martin-health-services
Virtual Groups
Trans Advocacy & Care Team (TACT)
We are a trans-led organization championing the wellbeing of trans and nonbinary folks across the country. We provide free virtual peer counseling, support groups, and community events to trans and nonbinary folks across the US. Our trans-identified Gender Advocates provide compassionate peer support and resources to trans folks virtually via Zoom. We are trans folks helping other trans folks to thrive.
Grupo de Apoyo Fénix
Grupo de Apoyo Fénix es para personas de edades 18+ trans masculinas, FTM, y personas no binarias que se identifican con el espectro masculino, en Español y Spanglish. Es un espacio seguro para hablar sobre nuestras necesidades, y compartir recursos, servicios afirmativos y culturalmente competentes para nuestra comunidad.
apoyofenix@somosfamiliabay.org
510-725-4141 (mensaje de texto es preferible)
