Best NYC LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapists
Over five years of experience supporting the LGBTQIA+ community
Trained in providing LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy
Trained in EMDR Therapy, which can be beneficial for healing trauma and other mental health concerns queer people experience
Affirming support for your mental health needs
Continuing education to provide up-to-date and holistic mental health care
Experience working with individuals and couples across various cultural backgrounds and ages
Availability of both in-person and Telehealth sessions
Meet Lucas Saiter, LMHC
LGBTQ-affirming therapist in NYC
I'm Lucas Saiter, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York City. I completed my postgraduate training at New York University. I also studied Psychology and Neuroscience at Penn State University, where I worked in a Developmental Psychology lab that explored gender and sexuality. During my time in that lab and in my academic studies, my passion for understanding mental health grew. Throughout my time at NYU and shortly after graduating, I worked in various settings, including Baruch College, where I helped students explore their various identities, as well as at the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy, in their Center for Gender and Sexuality. I now have a small group private practice dedicated to serving marginalized communities, such as folks exploring their gender identity, gender expression, sexuality, and more. I am also trained in EMDR Therapy, which can be helpful in healing trauma and unique challenges to the LGBTQ community. I seek out continuing education annually to fine-tune my skills and learn new ways of helping various concerns.
My approach to supporting LGBTQ mental health
I use a combination of psychodynamic, mindfulness, and cognitive-behavioral techniques to help people understand themselves better. I find that non-judgmental exploration and curiosity can help people become more self-aware and authentic. Through personalized therapy, my goal is to build a strong relationship with clients and see therapy as a chance to work together to navigate challenges and build toward a better life. My approach is collaborative, caring, and active, where people can find their true selves and make meaningful changes by recognizing patterns and going deeper to identify the root of those patterns.
The LGBTQ community often faces barriers to quality treatment. My wish is to help foster a safe and healing space for LGBTQ folks to understand how their experiences impact their mental health. Using a trauma-informed approach, I work with each new client with the understanding that they can learn new ways of navigating the world. As children, we often have unique needs that are not met, and that can follow us until we face those challenges.
How to get started
Getting started can sometimes be the most challenging start to treatment. My hope is to simplify the process by outlining the steps below.
Click here to schedule a free phone consultation.
You'll get an email once the consultation request has been confirmed. I'll give you a call at the phone number you provide and we'll have about 30 minutes to discuss what you're looking for and answer any questions you may have. Think of this as an informal conversation to get a sense of whether we would move forward or not.
Schedule the first session.
It can be helpful to schedule the initial session during the consultation to keep the momentum going or take some time to think about it. Either works and I'll follow your lead.
Complete forms.
These will be sent to you before the first session, mainly covering consent, policies, etc. They are similar to what you might fill out at a doctor's office, but done electronically. You'll also receive an email with the information about my office (e.g., address, getting into the suite, etc.).
Attend the first session.
No need to prepare, unless you find it helpful to write down some points you'd like to discuss or share. If we're meeting virtually, you'll already have access to the platform I use and I'll give you a call at the scheduled time. If in person, I'll greet you in the waiting area. This initial session will be similar to the phone consultation; we'll discuss what brings you in in more detail. We'll wrap up this session by checking in on the next steps.
Common reasons why people start therapy
People come to therapy for various reasons; whether it’s for a specific concern or challenge, to work through various issues, or to address a common pattern. Here are some reasons why someone may choose to start therapy.
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Individuals and couples often want to explore aspects of their identity that are beginning to emerge in their current stage of life. This can often be an opportunity to understand their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Therapy can be a safe place to affirm this exploration and help cope with societal pressures, in addition to navigating the process of coming out.
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Being a part of a marginalized group can often present various psychological and emotional challenges due to discrimination, harassment, or microaggressions. Finding ways to cope with the stress and anxiety of being “othered” is a common reason LGBTQIA+ folks seek out therapy.
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Sometimes the hardest part of identifying as LGBTQIA+ is the intersection of other identities, which can add complexity to an already challenging experience. Addressing unique issues faced with the intersection of one’s sexual and/or gender identity and other identities, such as race, ethnicity, immigration status, or religion, can be a powerful and transformational process of finding meaning, acceptance, and agency.
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Relationships can often be impacted due to the stigma and discrimination still present in the LGBTQIA+ community. Therapy can be a helpful space to explore rebuilding relationships with family and friends who may have struggled with acceptance, explore healthy relationship dynamics, and cope with rejection.
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Healing from abuse and traumatic experiences can take time, but no one should do it alone. The effects of traumatic experiences among LGBTQ individuals are shown to contribute to significant mental health concerns, such as PTSD. Unpacking these experiences, such as childhood maltreatment, sexual abuse, and identity-related discrimination, can be the start of a healing journey.
When another practice might be a better fit for your needs
Finding a provider who is a good fit is a key factor in the successful outcomes of therapy. Our practice is not for everyone and here are a few reasons it may be best to explore other practices.
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For example, if you’re looking for intensive substance use programs, medication management, or inpatient treatment, we do not offer those services. Similarly, we do not have the resources to support acute psychiatric needs (often requiring hospitalization) and immediate crisis intervention.
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Our therapists are not trained in Child or Adolescent Therapy and we primarily focus on adult and young adults. Those seeking therapy for children or teenagers may need a therapist specializing in that age group. While we can help with intimacy and relational concerns, clients seeking structured family therapy may benefit from a therapist who specializes in family therapy.
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We offer a blend of different modalities and often integrate various approaches to fit the client's needs. We primarily use a combination of Psychodynamic, CBT, mindfulness-based approaches, EMDR, and other relational modalities. If you are interested in a specific modality, such as Psychoanalysis, DBT, Psychological testing/evaluations, or other structured approaches, narrowing your search for those modalities may be helpful.
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We are an out-of-network practice and do not accept any insurance plan. However, we can provide you with a Superbill for you to submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement, if you have out-of-network benefits.
Our therapists are licensed in New York and under most circumstances can only see clients within NY state. Lucas Saiter can also provide virtual sessions to those residing in Florida.
3 highly recommended LGBTQ+ therapists in NYC
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1. Ernesto Lira de la Rosa, Ph.D.
Dr. Ernesto Lira de la Rosa is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in treating anxiety, depression, stress, low self-esteem, and trauma. He is particularly dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, men, and those navigating intersecting identities.
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2. John Beninato, LMHC
John Beninato is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in working with people experiencing anxiety, depression, young professionals, and people who identify as LGBTQ+. He is a compassionate provider and thoughtful about his work.
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3. Justin Yong, LMHC
Justin Yong is a Multicultural and LGBTQ+ affirming psychotherapist. He offers a warm, gentle and collaborative approach that can help LGBTQ+ folks navigate various challenges in life. He also integrates various modalities to personalize his approach to each unique individual.
FAQs
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LGBTQ-affirmative therapy offers a safe, welcoming space where clients feel acknowledged and validated in their sexual orientation and identity. This approach focuses on helping individuals build authenticity, develop self-confidence, and strengthen their voice to live more meaningfully.
A key component of this therapy is creating a safe space where clients feel free from judgment. This includes discussing preferences, pronouns, and accommodations that foster comfort and trust. Building a therapeutic alliance takes time but is essential for addressing sensitive issues such as coming out, intimacy concerns, identity, and trauma.
Once trust is established, the therapist becomes an ally—someone who supports and celebrates the client’s journey. An LGBTQ-affirmative therapist not only understands the unique challenges of the LGBTQ community but also tailors therapy to the individual’s needs, providing a more validating and empowering experience. This partnership helps clients navigate life with greater confidence and psychological well-being.
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Research consistently shows that anxiety and other mental health disorders, such as depression and PTSD, are more prevalent in the LGBTQ+ community compared to the general population. For example, LGBTQ+ individuals are 1.5 to 2.5 times more likely to experience depression and anxiety than their heterosexual and cisgender peers (The Trevor Project, 2023). Youth in this community, in particular, report high rates of mental health challenges, with more than half considering suicide in some studies (The Trevor Project, 2023).
The increased prevalence of anxiety and other disorders can be attributed to several factors, including:
Chronic stress from stigma, discrimination, and societal rejection is a significant contributor. This includes microaggressions, workplace discrimination, and legal inequalities.
Lack of acceptance from family can result in estrangement, homelessness, or severe emotional distress.
LGBTQ+ individuals experience higher rates of trauma, including hate crimes, sexual violence, and bullying. These events often contribute to PTSD and other anxiety-related disorders.
Individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups (e.g., LGBTQ+ individuals of color) often face compounded discrimination, exacerbating mental health concerns.
As a psychotherapist working with LGBTQ+ clients, I’ve seen these factors manifest in diverse ways. Many clients struggle to reconcile their identities within unaccepting cultural or familial frameworks, while others face workplace hostility or the fear of violence. The resulting anxiety often intertwines with depression, low self-esteem, or trauma, requiring a nuanced and compassionate approach to therapy.
Start working with an LGBTQ-affirming therapist in NYC today
My mission is to provide a safe, affirming space to the LGBTQIA+ community, where we can explore your challenges and strengths with compassion and support. I take a collaborative and trauma-informed approach, using Psychodynamic, mindfulness, Cognitive-Behavioral techniques, and EMDR to address anxiety, depression, identity development, relationship concerns, and trauma. My goal is to help clients build authenticity, resilience, and a greater sense of agency in their lives. Whether you’re navigating life transitions, struggling with intimacy, or seeking a deeper understanding of yourself, I’m here to provide a nonjudgmental partnership tailored to your unique needs. Together, we can work toward meaningful growth and psychological well-being.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your journey, I encourage you to reach out for a consultation. Let’s explore how therapy can support you in creating the life you deserve.