Empowering the LGBTQ and HIV communities since 1989.
You deserve to smile
Let's talkCounseling Services
We offer affordable, sliding-scale mental health care to HIV-positive individuals, as well as anyone in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning community based on a sliding payment scale and insurance if you have it. Our counselors are very sensitive to LGBTQ+ and HIV issues.
The LGBT Life Center is a safe space where members and allies of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and queer/questioning community of Hampton Roads can join together in a network of support and acceptance. Our mental health program focuses on empowerment, inclusion, and holistic wellness.
We exist so that every member of the local LGBTQ+ community has the resources needed to thrive and live meaningful lives. Our counselors are specially prepared to work with the specific challenges that the LGBT community faces.
If you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community including individuals, couples, families, or allies; welcome to our safe space.
Ready to talk? Call us at 757-640-0929
We provide counseling for:
- coming out
- gender transitioning (gender exploration, referrals for hormones and surgeries, gender marker changes, etc.)
- relationship issues (including family or social rejection)
- intimate partner violence
- discrimination
Schedule an appointment:
757-640-0929
- anxiety
- depression
- parenting
- life transitions
- personality disorders
- and many other issues.
Training and Consultations
In addition to providing counseling, 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 card, cash, Medicaid, Ryan White funding, and private health care insurance.
Counselors
Steven Fields, LPC, NCC, CFT
Steven (he/him) recently joined the LGBT Life Center as the new Director for the Counseling and Mental Health department.
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.
Amber George, MS, Counselor Resident
As a counselor resident at the LGBT Life Center, Amber George provides compassionate therapy for LGBTQ+ individuals in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Client concerns may or may not center on sexual, affectional, or gender identity issues. Many new clients express that they are in the process of change or desire to make changes in their lives. Ms. George provides an affirming, strengths-based therapeutic space where people work to process concerns and achieve goals. She emphasizes identifying and resolving barriers to personal freedom, creating and choosing meaning behind experiences, utilizing mindfulness, and understanding the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to develop mastery of them.
Counseling Internship Program
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.