Empowering the LGBTQ and HIV communities since 1989.
LGBT Life Center is currently restructuring our counseling program and services. At this time, we have a limited number of partnerships with local therapists and are referring LGBT Life Center clients and community inquiries to the therapists listed below.
Due to the high volume of requests, many of our contract and partner therapists are fully booked. Some therapists offer a waitlist.
In the coming months, LGBT Life Center will renew its counseling program and offer in-house counseling services.
Until then, we recommend the therapists listed below. Please contact us using the form below to check availability.
If you have insurance, you can find LGBTQ+-friendly therapists through platforms like Psychology Today or Alma.
Questions? Call us at 757-640-0929 or email info@lgbtlifecenter.org.
In addition to counseling referrals, we also provide consultation for other therapist. It is our goal to not only provide LGBTQ+ affirming counseling but also to empower local counselors and agencies to do the same. If you are interested, please call The Center at 757-640-0929 for more information.
We currently accept credit cards, cash, Medicaid, Ryan White funding, Cigna, Anthem, and United Health Care.
Dr. Sonya L. Lee, Ed. D,LPC, LSATP, HS-BCP, ICCS, CCS, ICAADC, CAADC, CSAC, QMHP-A
Dr. Sonya L. Lee is the Director of Behavioral Services for the Detox Unit at Southampton Memorial Hospital in Franklin, Virginia. After serving in the United States Navy for 27 years Dr. Lee retired in 2016 to pursue other endeavors. Dr. Lee ventured into private practice providing outpatient substance use disorder treatment and consulting. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, working within the community and traveling.
Dr. Lee strives to educate others to understand that drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. She believes that drug addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed. For that reason education and outreach are keys in helping people understand the possible risks of drug use and that family members, the community and health care providers have crucial roles in educating individuals in an effort to prevent drug use and addiction.
Kati Calletto, LPC, CSOTP
Kati Calletto (she/her/hers) is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider. She attended the University of Rochester in NY state, graduating in 2010 with a Masters in Community Mental Health Counseling. She moved to Virginia in 2011 and began working at The Up Center in the Community Based Services and Outpatient Departments, and is currently serving as the Outpatient Clinical Director there. She began providing therapy to clients at the LGBT Life Center as a contractor in May of 2018 and has loved giving back to her community in this way. Kati utilizes a person-centered, cognitive behavioral approach to therapy, and is currently working towards certification in EMDR Therapy and Trauma Focused- CBT. She enjoys working with children, teens, and adults, specializes in PTSD, Depression, and Anxiety, and is an LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapist. When not at work, you can find Kati spending time at home with her cats, crocheting, crafting, and drinking coffee, or outside enjoying the sunshine at the beach.
Mitchell Scott Frizzell, MSW (he/him/his), Resident in Counseling
Mitchell strongly believes that we are more than the worst things we have ever done or that have been done to us. His therapeutic focus on the LGBTQ+ community addresses a historical deficit of self-compassion and meaningful connection with others. He finds fulfilling work in joining with clients to tackle challenges related to sex and sexuality, gender identity, interpersonal relationships, life transitions, anxiety, depression, and more. Wherever you are on your therapy journey, you are welcome! Mitchell graduated in 2023 from Indiana Wesleyan University with his Master of Social Work after spending several years as a crisis counselor with the Trevor Project. He loves singing, jigsaw puzzles, Wikipedia rabbit holes, and his partner Charles, with whom he lives in Norfolk.
Laney Zundel-Stenquist, MSW, LCSW (she/her/hers), Clinical Supervisor
Laney provides therapy services to individuals of a diverse background of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status, and religion. She works to address struggles related to depression, anxiety, co-dependence, relationship issues, trauma, complex trauma, bipolar disorder, DID, grief, divorce, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, faith/life transitions, and body image issues. Using a trauma-informed perspective, Laney helps clients gain a higher level of self-awareness and self-love through emotional understanding, cognitive reprocessing, and psychotherapy. She utilizes EMDR, mindfulness, IFS, CBT/DBT skills, attachment theory, EFT, coherence therapy, active listening, love, and other skills.
Kirk James, Jr., (he/him/his), Resident in Counseling
Kirk brings a wealth of experience and a diverse, holistic approach to therapy, focusing on empowering LGBTQ+ students and clients. Currently working at Hampton University, Kirk specializes in clinical counseling for LGBTQ+ students, employing various therapeutic techniques tailored to each individual’s unique needs. Kirk’s dedication to helping individuals achieve healthier, happier lives is evident in his commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment. Excited to make a difference at LGBT Life Center, Kirk aims to help community members feel seen, heard, valued, and accepted.
Business Name | Provider | Location | Phone | Session Type | |
Blue Box Psychotherapy | Christopher Boler, adults and senior | Alexandria, DC | Chris.boler@hushmail.com | 571-901-1189 | Telehealth |
Integrated Counseling & Wellness | Dr. Susan K. Thompson | 3630 S Plaza Trail Suite 200, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 | 757-306-9100 | In-Person & Telehealth | |
OutKind Counseling | Shawn McNulty, LPC | Williamsburg | 757-204-1785 | Telehealth | |
Turning Point Therapy & Consulting | Dawn White, LPC | Chesapeake and Virginia Beach | dwhite@turning pointva.com | 757-347-8840 | In-person & Telehealth |
The Up Center | Various | Ghent, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach | 757-965-8622 | In-person & Telehealth | |
Truth Purpose Counseling | Kaye-Loni Johnston, MS, LMFT: 14+ individuals, speciality on LGBTQ+ pop and issues | kjohnston@truthpurposecounseling.com | 804-537--579 | Telehealth | |
Sea Level Counseling and Wellness | sealevelcounselingandwellness.com |
LGBT Life Center is happy to host interns and practicum students on a regular basis. Please note that internship/ practicum placement is based on availability and quality of fit for this site. Filling out an application does not guarantee an internship/ practicum at LGBT Life Center. An interview will be required for all students prior to being accepted.