Sharon F. Hester, MS, LPC, LAC

Hello, howdy! I’m Sharon, a queer human and therapist in Denver, Colorado. I am deeply grateful and honored to offer a space for you to heal, grow, and move forward courageously in your life. I offer gender- and LGBTQ+ -affirming therapy to adults and teens in Denver metro and across Colorado. I also provide online therapy in Louisiana, Oregon, and Vermont. ​

My Specialties:

• I offer therapy that empowers adults and teens who are a part of the queer and trans community. I am passionate about the areas of, and I have specific experience working with, gender and sexuality, personal growth, identity, anxiety and worry, self-discovery, neurodivergence: ADHD & Autism, substance use, and grief & loss.

Some of the common reasons queer and LGBTQ+ individuals reach out to work with me:

• finding direction in life

• depression

• existential & spiritual concerns and finding meaning

• grief & loss

• anxiety

• trauma

• healing from shame and rejection

• relationship to race, gender identity and/or sexual orientation

• life transitions

• burnout

• building a deeper connection with yourself and others

• academic stress

• coming out

• relationship conflict

Who I work with:

• Within the LGBTQ community, I work with a wide variety of people — creatives, working professionals, high-performers, and teens juggling self-discovery, social acceptance, and grades. I also offer specific experience working with neurodivergent teens and adults, as well as high achievers experiencing burnout. I also offer therapy for parents of LGBTQ+ children, including parents of trans and queer teens and adults. Therapy helps parents in navigating their own journey as new or existing members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Therapeutic modalities I use:

• I use a blend of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) modalities. I use these treatment approaches to help individuals struggling with anxious feelings, depression, trauma, substance use, and more. Other approaches that influence how I deliver these modalities in therapy sessions include: social justice, motivational interviewing (MI), cultural humility, anti-racist, and decolonizing, anti-oppressive approaches. 

My therapeutic style:

• I offer a therapeutic space and style that is accepting and warm, so you feel comfortable to show up just as you are. My approach to therapy is affirming, relational, inclusive, and collaborative.

What to expect in sessions:

• You can expect our therapy work together to be rooted in values of cultural humility, collaboration, compassion, humor, and authenticity. Together, we will work to co-create a healing space centering empowerment and autonomy. What this may involve is us working to connect you with your own inner knowing, resources, and strengths. You are the expert when it comes to you and what it means to live life in your skin. In our sessions there will be opportunities to try out and find new ways to approach your life outside of therapy.

A little about me personally:

• When I am not in sessions, chances are you will find me outside and/or reading about social justice, the science of dreams, and queer & gender studies. 

  Some of my favorite things are basketball (watching and playing), record collecting, swinging kettlebells, and traveling with my partner and pup. I have two black cats, who think they are aspiring therapy cats. They occasionally make brief appearances during virtual meetings (only on their terms, of course). 

  Some fun facts about me: 

  - The ocean is my sacred space. I am a Coastal Southerner, who has lived in Colorado since 2012. 

  - I’m leaning into being a beginner at a new hobby, and am learning pottery.

  - My Sun/Moon/Rising signs are: Leo sun, Scorpio moon, and Capricorn rising. 

How to schedule a free, 20-minute consultation with me:

• Message me today to schedule a free initial consultation. This complimentary consultation is a no-pressure way to explore if we would be a good fit for working together. You’ll also have time to share your goals for therapy and get answers to your questions.