How to Find BIPOC and LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapists in Sacramento

Written By Ivonne Mejía, PsyD

Are you looking for a BIPOC or LGBTQ+ therapist who truly gets it? 

Sometimes, the search for finding a therapist is so daunting that it feels like we’re already exhausted before we even begin. This is especially true for those of us who know that we want counseling - but feel a bit of (healthy) cautiousness about exactly who it is that we’re connecting with for therapy. 

As a queer woman of color who sits at the intersections of multiple marginalized identities, I completely get that. 

Our communities are hungry to connect with a therapist who simply understands the nuances of our cultural contexts - no additional explanation required. We’re in search of a healing space that allows us to disarm the healthy, invisible armor that we wear daily in an effort to protect ourselves from the never-ending edges of microaggressions, -isms, and prejudice. In everyday life, it feels like we’re fighting to be seen - and therapy feels like it should be one of those spaces where we can feel safe enough to breathe and exist as we are. 

And, you’re right. It absolutely should.

When I first searched for a therapist in my early 20s, finding an anti-oppressive, justice-oriented therapist of color felt like an impossible task. But today, it’s different. In recent years, more and more resources have become available to support our communities in getting connected with a counselor who shares similar cultural identities and values. 

 
BIPOC and LGBTQ+ Therapists & Brainspotting Practitioners

Looking for a culturally-affirming therapist in Sacramento that is BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ friendly?

Below are some tips to help you find a counselor that works for you:

 

1. Use a therapist directory that specializes in highlighting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ affirming therapists and counselors.

In recent years, there has been a growing number of online directories that are uniquely tailored for the mental health needs of marginalized communities. Whereas before you may have had to search through hundreds of websites or listings just to find the one therapist that shares your identity - there are now more therapist-specific directories that help you get closer to finding the therapist that meets what you’re looking for. As a queer Latinx immigrant, I cannot tell you how valuable these resources have been for my clients, my family, and my community. 

Below are some of the directory-style resources that I frequently share with those looking to get started with therapy in Sacramento but are not quite sure where to begin:

  • National Queer & Trans Therapist of Color Network: NQTTCN is an organization that centers healing justice for queer and trans people of color in the United States. They offer a directory of queer and trans mental health practitioners, including therapists, counselors, and healers to connect the QTBIPOC community to QTBIPOC therapists.

  • Latinx Therapy: Latinx Therapy offers an online directory that highlights indigenous and Latinx therapists in the United States. Their directory is robust with Latinx therapists accepting new clients in California, including those in the Sacramento area. The founder of Latinx Therapy also hosts a podcast that aims to destigmatize mental health in the Latinx community. (Take a listen here.)

  • Therapy for Black Girls: Therapy for Black Girls offers an abundant online directory to Black women who are looking for a therapist. The founder of Therapy for Black Girls - Dr. Joy Harden Bradford  - hosts a weekly podcast to discuss all things related to mental health and personal development for Black women. (Take a listen here.)

  • Inclusive Therapists: Inclusive Therapists offers an online therapist directory that highlights culturally responsive, LGBTQ+ affirming, social justice-oriented therapists that offer individual therapy, couples therapy, and group counseling. They are committed to centering and amplifying the mental health needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and the LGBTQ+ community. 

 

2. Use social media.

Is there a therapist on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter that you love to follow? Or maybe you heard them on a podcast about therapy or healing - and you really connected with what they had to say? If so, I would invite you to check out their therapist profile/website, and check to see if they’re in the same state as you. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, therapists who traditionally would have only provided therapy in-person at their office now offer online therapy as well. So, if the therapist offers therapy in the state that you’re in and you’re open to online therapy, then it might be worth checking to see if they’re accepting new clients.

Even if they’re currently full (or perhaps even live in a different state from you), it might still be worth reaching out to them. Most therapists are connected to a community of other incredible counselors and therapists - so reach to them and see if they could provide you with a recommendation for a therapist near you. 

 

3. Connect with your community.

When it comes to finding the right therapist, our own community can be an incredible resource. Connecting with people in your life that you trust is a great way to gather recommendations of amazing therapists in your area. We all know that therapy is such an intimate and personal journey - so for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, finding a therapist who affirms your humanity and embraces the layers of your lived experiences becomes essential in creating a healing space that feels safe and validating. 

In my own experience, I found one of my therapists based on a recommendation from a close friend. This friend had experienced such a transformative experience while working with that therapist - which, for me, naturally created a foundation of trust and comfort. I ended up working with that therapist for over one year- and to this day, the healing that I experienced in my work with her continues to be such a life-giving moment of my journey. 

So, by seeking recommendations by those in your community, you could potentially obtain therapist recommendations that might be exactly what you’re looking for.  After all, our communities are truly abundant with wisdom and resources.  

 

Our Team of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapists in Sacramento

If you're looking for a culturally affirming and trauma-informed therapist who honors and embraces all of your intersecting identities, reach out to us and get started with one of our therapists at Pachamama Therapy Collective. Our team is composed entirely of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ therapists, and we’re committed to co-creating a safe and inclusive space for your healing journey. We invite you to take the step towards prioritizing and caring for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. We’re here to support you every step of the way on your journey towards healing and liberation.

Ivonne Mejía, PsyD

Dr. Ivonne Mejía (she/ella) is a queer immigrant Latinx and Indigenous clinical psychologist. She is the owner of Pachamama Therapy Collective, a private practice in Sacramento, CA, whose mission is to provide culturally affirming, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive care to communities that have been historically marginalized and oppressed.

In addition to working with clients, she facilitates community workshops and professional trainings on the intersections of trauma, healing, and culture, including topics on immigration trauma, somatic-based healing modalities, intersectionality, and other issues related to minority mental health. For her own healing and liberation, Dr. Mejía enjoys interacting with plants, being in community with others, and locating pockets of ease in everyday living.