LGBTQ Therapists in Portland
Proudly supporting the PDX queer community!
When you’re struggling with mental health issues, coming out, questioning your identities, gender transition or need support in your relationship, we are here to help. Our LGBTQ therapist in Oregon has a passion for helping LGBTQ+ individuals, queer youth, and their loved ones. Connect with Rooted Acorn Counseling today to learn more about how we can help.
About Rooted Acorn Counseling
Rooted Acorn Counseling is a queer-founded and queer-led therapy practice.
Part of the origin story of Rooted Acorn Counseling is the metaphor of the acorn and the tree. Just as the acorn has the wisdom it needs to become a tree, our therapists believe inside each one of us is the wisdom of what we need to grow and thrive. Our therapists understand that often LGBTQ+ folks have been taught to doubt or distrust themselves or their bodies, and it takes take time to dismantle the harmful messaging that has disconnected so many queer and trans folks from themselves. As part of this metaphor, our therapists also understand that growth and healing often starts from the smallest beginnings. The acorn also doesn’t grow to be a mighty tree without interdependence. Our therapists believe that healing is done in community and relationship. Healthy roots need soil, water, sunlight and time. Our own “roots” nourish and sustain us in this world. Our therapists understand the immense value of having a supportive queer community that truly comprehends your unique mental health needs, especially in today's world.
Our roots provide vital nutrients, and they connect us to each other and foster a sense of belonging. We all need someone to lean on in times of need. Our therapists are passionate about helping LGBTQ+ folks make lasting life changes as well as heal and grow. We also understand that even if we are not focusing on gender and sexuality in therapy, oftentimes there is ease in just knowing there is already a level of understanding. Our therapists, for example, understand that therapy may often involve the dismantling of critical self-narratives that are a painful truth of living in heterosexist and cisgendered world.
At Rooted Acorn Counseling, our mission is to nourish our community with acceptance, compassion, warmth, trust, and a deep sense of belonging. You deserve unwavering support and acceptance. You deserve the expertise of qualified and professional therapists who will be there for you when you need them most.
LGBTQ therapy services we offer
We offer queer therapy provided by queer therapists. You can expect LGBTQ+ affirming counseling that is culturally-informed, queer- and trans-informed, and trauma-informed. Our compassionate and inclusive approach creates a real relationship, where our therapists deeply care about your individual healing, as well as the big picture healing of our queer and trans community in Portland, Oregon and beyond.
Individual Psychotherapy
Therapy at Rooted Acorn Counseling is queer- and trans-informed. Our compassionate, trauma-informed approach leads with cultural humility. We center the creation of a real relationship, where our therapists deeply care about your individual healing and growth.
Couples Counseling
Our relationship therapist has advanced training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), an attachment-based, inclusive relationship model, to help you and your partner repair and rebuild bridges for long lasting connection. NOTE: relationship and couples counseling only offered for those residing in Colorado
Meet our top-rated LGBTQ therapist in Portland
As part of our clinical practice, we're proud to introduce you to our top-rated LGBTQ therapist in Portland. Each of our counselors brings years of experience and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those seeking to gain clarity and support as they make desired changes in their lives. Our dedicated team help folks heal from trauma, decrease depression and anxiety, and improve their relationships. It is our mission to provide an affirming and supportive environment to help clients achieve their goals. No matter what you're going through, our top-rated LGBTQ therapists are here to help you feel heard, seen, understood, and empowered to create real and lasting change in your life.
Sharon F. Hester, MS, LPC, LAC
she/her
Licensed Professional Counselor LPC.0012616 - Colorado
Licensed Addictions Counselor ACD.000237 - Colorado
Licensed Professional Counselor C10404 - Oregon
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor 068.0136538 - Vermont
Teletherapy and in-person
Providing therapy since 2010
Sharon F. Hester, LPC is a licensed mental health therapist proudly offering Queer-affirming therapy in Denver, CO. Sharon provides counseling to both teens and adults seeking personal growth and healing.
Why choose us for LGBTQ counseling in Portland
At our clinical practice, we understand the importance of providing a welcoming space for LGBTQ individuals seeking counseling in Oregon.
We are a proudly queer-led and worker-owned therapy practice. We offer our services to LGBTQIA+ individuals as well as to their loved ones. We acknowledge the unique struggles and feelings that come with navigating discrimination and societal pressures related to sexual identity and gender identity. Our team of experienced clinicians have a passion for supporting queer mental health by providing a compassionate and non-judgmental environment where clients can explore their personal journeys, heal trauma, and build self-esteem.
We offer individual therapy support for navigating those issues specific to being LGBTQ, as well as support for navigating trauma healing, big life transitions, grief and loss, self discovery, or dealing with the every day stress of living your life. We believe that counseling can be a powerful tool in promoting self-acceptance and empowering individuals to live authentically. If you are looking for a LGBTQ-affirming counseling experience, we are here to help.
Our team offers 20+ years of cumulative experience providing inclusive, trauma-informed, and compassionate queer- and trans-affirming therapy services for individuals and for partners and couples.
Experience matters
Queer therapy provided by queer therapists
We are queer therapists who truly understand the unique challenges faced by the queer community. As informed members of the queer and trans community, we will partner with you to create an accepting and open space for all parts of yourself. We believe the first step in any therapy is creating a trusting and safe (or safe as possible) relationship.
Collaboration with parents of teens
We love working with queer youth and their parents. For therapy to be beneficial, it is important to maintain confidentiality for your teen. However, we don't want you in the dark. We value and seek parent engagement and collaboration throughout our work with your teen because we know your teen's relationship with you and support from you is vital for their wellbeing.
Our therapeutic approach is influenced by principals of interconnectedness. Personal transformation and healing has a healing impact on the mind, body, and spirit. We believe that individual growth and healing can be powerful tools for the healing of connections with self, body, and our community. It can reconnect us to those things most sacred in this life. We believe what is healing for the whole self, is also healing for our larger community and world.
Holistic approach
Dedication to continuing our education and training
We are are committed to continuing to learn and deepen our skills as therapists because therapy is a practice after all. The more we do it and the more we train, the better we are able to serve you. You deserve the best support, and we're here to serve you with our best practice and care.
Embodied psychotherapy for the queer soul
We invite the whole body into experience in our sessions, the cerebral thinking and analyzing of our air to the sensing, probing waters of our hearts to the fire of our energy and the cool, grounded earth in our trunks for well-being in this chaotic world. Our bodies carry us and work hard to care for us in this life. At RAC, we believe in inviting our whole essence and experience to the table in therapy and hold space for you to be you.
Frequently asked questions about LGTBQ therapy
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The aim of queer affirming therapy is to provide support and therapy that is tailored to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ communities. This therapeutic approach embraces and celebrates diversity and inclusivity within the LGBTQ+ community, and offers a space for folks identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, or cisgender to explore their gender or sexuality and express themselves authentically. Queer affirming counselors understand the unique challenges that their clients may face due to their sexual and/or gender identities. The goal of this model of counseling is to empower clients to develop a positive and nurturing relationship with their sexuality or gender. The ultimate goal here is to help queer folks feel more confident in their own skin, and celebrate their gender diversity and sexual identities. With the help of a queer affirming counselor, individuals can gain greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and an increased sense of well-being.
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For those of us in the LGBTQ community, finding a safe space to talk openly about our feelings and life experiences can be a crucial aspect of our overall well-being, which is why affirming therapy is so important. "23% of Individuals that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB) report experiencing four or more adverse childhood experiences (ACES) while 42% of gender nonconforming and trans individuals report the same," found Envision:You in their 2022 Impact Report. These experiences can be related to increased anxiety and feelings of depression. Moreover, research findings have shown that these adverse experiences can also impact our physical health as well. LGBTQ counseling provides a supportive environment where individuals and couples can discuss their unique challenges and stressors without fear of discrimination or judgment. Let's be real. This world is not always safe. The prevalence of homophobia, transphobia, and other hateful belief systems, means we experience high levels of anxiety and fear daily. Counseling can help individuals and couples cope with these feelings by providing tools and resources to navigate life stress experienced when facing society and/or our family's biases and stigmas. To be clear, being LGBTQ is not an issue; society's bias, stigma, and hate are the issues. There is nothing wrong with us! We are beautiful in all of our queerness. However, daily navigating these adverse situations, biases, and hate increases the likelihood of depression, anxiety, fear, and stress in our queer community. Counseling can be particularly helpful for our mental health to build our self-esteem, overcome anxiety, and learn to love ourselves and live life authentically. Ultimately, LGBTQ counseling plays a vital role in promoting a healthy and happy life for us in the LGBTQ community.
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Searching for an LGBTQ affirming therapist or therapy practice near you can be a daunting task, especially if you're unsure where to start. The first step is to talk to your friends and family members who may have done counseling in the past and can offer recommendations. You can also consult online directories, like Inclusive Therapists, or contact local clinical practices, like Rooted Acorn Counseling, to check the availability of affirming therapists who serve the LGBTQ community. Once you've narrowed down your search, schedule an initial consultation call and a few initial sessions with a therapist to gauge their knowledge and experience in working with LGBTQ clients and their unique mental health needs. Don't be afraid to ask a therapist if they have experience working with clients who have similar sexual identities and gender identities as you. In life, it can take time to build a rhythm and build trust with a new person. That's normal in therapy too! Remember, finding the right therapist can be a process, and it's worth investing the time and effort to find someone who can support you in your life. Whether you are in Portland or anywhere in Oregon, at Rooted Acorn Counseling, we provide convenient virtual therapy sessions to join from the comfort of your home.
“If I didn’t define myself, I would be crunched into other people’s fantasies for me and eaten alive.”
-Audre Lorde
We believe that everyone deserves an affirming space where their deepest struggles can be known. In this knowing, folks can find their way towards healing and growth. For members of the LGBTQ community, finding a therapist who understands, and honors their unique mental health needs can be a challenge. We are proud to offer queer therapy provided by queer therapists, who are dedicated to providing compassionate and affirming care to Portland’s queer and trans communities. Whether you're looking to start therapy for the first time or seeking a new therapist who truly gets it, we invite you to contact us today and take the first step towards reaching your mental health goals. We are here for you, and we are committed to supporting you on your journey towards healing and building the life you want.