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:
ryansallans.com/trans/finding-a-trans-friendly-therapist
What if I have more questions? You may also contact the following therapist for support in accessing therapy or other gender resource referrals:
Harper Cheaney, LMFT
Children, adolescents, adults, families
725 Front St. #200, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
2680 Bayshore Pkwy, #101, Mountain View, CA 94043
831-471-714
Santa Cruz County Therapists
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
Individual, family, groups, children, adolescents, adults, servicios bilingues
740 Front Street #360, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-713-7876
Sally Blumenthal-McGannon, LMFT
HIV, all ages, families, grief/loss, life transitions, life threatening illness
823 Cathedral Dr., Aptos, CA 95003
831-685-4728
Erin Bucci, MFT
303 Potrero #45-204, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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, dual diagnosis
740 Front St., Suite 360, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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
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
206-679-7218
Finn Gratton, LMFT
Children, adults, families, somatic work
725 Front St. #200, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-824-4637
Micah Hammond, LPCC
Eating disorders, body image, grief/loss, EMDR
Ride the Wave Recovery
104 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-275-5481
Shane Hill, Ph.D.
Awareness-centered therapy and mindfulness practices for adults and couples
Office on Westside of SC, near Mission St. and Bay St.
PO Box 573, Santa Cruz, CA 95061
831-423-0849
info@shane-hill.com
Chris Hogeland, LCSW
Bilingual (Spanish/English), CBT, DBT, Trauma, homeless
115-A Coral Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-454-5195
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
Dean Khambatta, MA, AMFT (He/Him)
Low-fee sliding scale available; no insurance
Acacia Counseling and Wellness
740 Front St Unit 220
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 999-3524
Ashleigh Kramer-Walthall, PsyD (She/Her)
Adults, IFS, EMDR, trauma
Complete Within
831-216-6335
ashleigh@completewithin.org
Erica Murphy, LMFT
Adolescents, young adults (Medi-Cal, Blue Cross, uninsured)
831-216-6433
erica.ann.murphy@gmail.com
Suzanne Nicholas, Ph.D.
Adolescents, young adults, adults, couples
1406 Mission St. Santa Cruz CA 95060
831-462-0341
Kristin Olafson, LCSW
Youth and families, Medi-Cal only
Children’s Mental Health, SC County
831-454-5288
River Ornellas, MA, AMFT #103379 (They/Them)
Supervised by Katherine Zwick, LPCC #3334
Ride The Wave Recovery
104 Walnut Ave Suite 200, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-275-5481
669-256-0955
river@ridethewaverecovery.com
Anna Paganelli, LMFT
Adults, adolescents, individuals, couples, families
340 Soquel Ave Suite 107, Santa Cruz CA 95062
831-425-7400
Sharon Papo, LCSW
Adults, adolescents, parents
831-440-7041
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
John Seltzer, MFTI
555 Soquel Avenue #280 Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831-515-8381
Sean Senechal, MA, BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) Therapist
Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Therapy, Behavior Activation, Cognitive Work, Coaching: School/Life/Career
Chidren, Teens, Adults; Students; NeuroDiverse & NeuroTypical
Trans Non Binary Gender Fluid Queer
526 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz CA 95060
650-866-1499
Shawn Smith, MFTI, PCI, CADCII
147 S. River Street #234-A, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-588-7063
Jan Sollom-Brotherton, LMFT
Adults, College Students, Adolescents
303 Portrero #05C, Santa Cruz CA 95066
510-658-1931
Rhiannon Soto, LPCC
Santa Cruz County Children’s Behavioral Health, serving ages 0-21 who have Medi-Cal.
ACCESS line (800) 952-2335
Rhiannon.soto@santacruzcounty.
Judy Van Maasdam, M.A.
1515 El Camino Real Suite E, Palo Alto CA 94306
650-326-4645
Katherine M. Zwick, LPCC, CGP
Ride The Wave Recovery
104 Walnut Ave Suite 200, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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 Area
Stephen L. Braveman
Board Certified Sex Therapist and Gender Specialist
494 Alvarado St., Suite A
Monterey, CA 93940
Tel: 831-375-7553
Maren Martin, LCSW
Adults, couples, sex therapy, trans teens/families
207 16th Street, #305, Pacific Grove, CA. 93950
831-375-1134
maren@marenmartin.com
Carmen Martin, MA, LMFT
26384 Carmel Rancho Lane, Suite 200A, Carmel CA 93923
831-920-4318
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 Cruz Area general therapists
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
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
Peninsula and San Francisco Areas
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
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
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
Support Groups
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 or email the Diversity Center for more information: trans@diversitycenter.org
Young Adult (18-30) Transgender Support Group at the Diversity Center
A weekly peer support group for young adults aged 18-30 who identify as transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, agender, or any other non-cisgender identity. This is a social group where we meet and chat among ourselves, sharing our experiences and thoughts in a warm, welcoming setting.
Visit diversitycenter.org/trans for meeting times or email the Diversity Center for more information: trans@diversitycenter.org
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
Gender Expansive Virtual Youth Group at the Diversity Center
Email genderexpansive@diversitycenter.org or DM @genderexpansiveteen on Instagram for the invitation to the Discord group.
Blender – Trans Support Group at UCSC
Blender is a support group for trans and questioning people to come together to collaborate, discuss, and support each other. Whether you are actively out, just recently questioning, or are simply looking for a community, we are the place for you. Come join us for practical advice on transitioning or coming out; watch a movie with us, or plot to take over the world. It’s all up to you! Hope to see all you lovely people there! We meet on Fridays from 5:30 pm-8:30 pm at the Cantú Queer Center.
To email us: queer@ucsc.edu
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 over Zoom. Email transfamiliesscc@gmail.com for a link.
Monterey
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 County
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
San Francisco/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
