Meet Our Chicago LGBTQ+ Therapy Team

All of our therapists have been trained to work with a wide variety of mental health issues, but have selected their specialties based on their areas of exceptional expertise. Additionally, they all specialize in serving the LGBTQ+ community, receive training in sex therapy, and provide gender-affirming care. As a practice, our space is also explicitly kink- and poly-affirming.

While most of our clients are individuals or coupled pairs, we are always open to working with relationships of all types. Let us know what your needs are and we will do our best to accommodate! The only exception is that we are not able to work with folks under 18.

Click on our therapists’ pictures or names below to learn more about them individually!

Or click here to schedule an appointment with one of our Chicago LGBTQ+ therapy providers today.

Click here for a key to the various acronyms you may see on this page.

Mesphina kudowor, MA, lpc

**(she/they)**
**Specialties:** Gender and sex therapy; LGBTQ+ Identity development; Depression; Mind-Body Connection; Complex trauma; First generation/Immigrant experiences; Acculturation stress; Relationships and attachment; BPD, Ketamine assisted therapy; Religious Trauma
**Works with:** Individuals

Rowyn Kruiswyk, MSW

(he/they)

Specialties: Gender and sex therapy; LGBTQ+ identity development; Relationships and attachment; Anxiety; Trauma; Neurodivergent identities and exploration; Communication skills; Systemic Oppression; Sex-related concerns; Kink-positive; Polyamorous-Positive

Works with: Individuals

Kate Penkethman, Ma

**(she/her)**
**Specialties:** Gender and sex therapy; LGBTQ+ identity development; Gender/Sexuality exploration; OCD; Body image/Body dysmorphia; Complex trauma; Anxiety; Religious trauma; Spirituality Issues; Systemic Issues; PTSD; Depression; Coping skill building; Boundary setting; Mindfulness; Identity development; Relationship Help; Career coaching; Work-related stress and transitions; Family challenges; Mind/Body connection; Grief/Loss; Polyamory and/or Kink related concerns
**Works with:** Individuals, Couples

Shelby Caudill, MA

**(she/they)**
**Specialties**: Gender and sex therapy; LGBTQ+ identity development; Trauma; Gender/Sexuality exploration; Sexual assault; Kink affirming; Depression; PTSD; Anxiety; Neurodivergence; Systemic racism & oppression; Relationship dynamics; Chronic pain; Sex work; Diverse relationship structures; Pelvic pain; Coping skill building; Boundary setting; Mindfulness; Polyamory; Mind/Body connection; Illness and Disability; Family challenges; Personality constructions (narcissism, borderline personality disorder, etc.)
**Works with:** Individuals, Couples

Cassidy Boyle, MA smiling and sitting in a flower garden. — cassidy Boyle, MA

**(she/they/he)**
**Specialties:** Gender and sex therapy; LGBTQ+ identity development; Gender/Sexuality Exploration; LGBTQ+ identity development; Anxiety; Depression; Systemic racism & oppression; Coping skill building; Mindfulness; Polyamory; Kink; OCD; ADHD; Autism
**Works with**: Individuals

julia porter, BA Smiling, wearing grey sweater in front of indoor plants — julia porter, ba (clinical intern)

**(they/she)**
**Specialties:** Gender and sex therapy; LGBTQ+ identity development; Relationships and intimacy; Anxiety; Body image; Grief and loss; Life transitions; Artistic/creative challenges; Expansive spirituality; Trauma; Eating disorders
**Works with:** Individuals

BAILEY RYAN, MA, LSW Smiling, wearing black shirt with white dots and sitting in therapy office. — BAILEY RYAN, MA, LSW

**(she/her)**
**Specialties:** Gender and sex therapy; LGBTQ+ identity development; OCD; Anxiety; ADHD; Depression; PTSD; Life transitions; Childhood trauma; Mindfulness; Self-esteem
**Works with:** Individuals

Jx Heithmar, MA, LCSW smiling, wearing a black shirt with white floral print in front of blue curtains. — Jx Heithmar, MA, LCSW

**(they/them)**
**Specialties:** Gender and sex therapy, LGBTQ+ identity development; Neurodiversity; Systemic oppression; Depression; Anxiety; Polyamory/non-monogamy; Kink/BDSM; ADHD; Relationships and attachment; Complex trauma; Addiction/substance use; Parenting
**Works with:** Individuals

Dani Kallis, MA, ATR-P smiling and standing on a balcony with Chicago buildings in the background. — Dani Kallis, MA, ATR-P

**(she/they)**
**Specialties:** Gender and sex therapy; LGBTQ+ identity development; Art therapy; Anxiety; Depression; BPD; Complex trauma; Chronic pain; Existential anxiety/dread
**Works with:** Individuals

Kayla Harris, MA, AMFT, smiling and wearing a grey turtleneck sweater — Kayla Harris, MA, AMFT

**(she/her)**
**Specialties:** Gender and sex therapy; LGBTQ+ identity development; Military-impacted folks, Relationship milestones; Conflict resolution skills; Boundary-setting; Self-esteem; Communication patterns; Power dynamics; Infidelity; Intimacy; ADHD
**Works with:** Individuals, Couples, Family Relationships

Lisa Abu-Bakr, MA, LPC smiling and wearing a white sweater. — Lisa Abu-Bakr, MA, LPC

**(she/her)**
**Specialties:** Gender and sex therapy; LGBTQ+ identity development; Relationships and attachment; Complex trauma and PTSD; Anxiety; OCD; Depression; ADHD; First generation/immigrant experiences; Communication skills; Mindfulness
**Works with:** Individuals, Family Relationships

Liz Poltoratsky, MA, LSW in a red shirt smiling. — Liz Poltoratsky, MA, LSW

**(she/they)**
**Specialties:** Gender and sex therapy; LGBTQ+ identity development; Kink/BDSM; Polyamory/non-monogamy; First generation/immigrant experiences; Childhood trauma; Domestic violence/abuse survivors; Substance use; Depression; Anxiety; OCD; ADHD; Autism
**Works with:** Individuals, Couples

Sarah Carter, MA, LPC

(she/they)

Specialties: Gender and sex therapy; LGBTQ+ identity development; Relationships and attachment; Complex trauma; Anxiety; Depression; Identity development; Communication skills; Executive dysfunction; Kink/BDSM; Polyamory; Religious/spiritual trauma; ADHD

Works with: Individuals, Couples

Laura Kathryn “LK” Strader, MA, AMFT

**(she/they)**
**Specialties:** Gender and sex therapy; LGBTQ+ identity development; Relationships; Intimacy; Complex trauma; Anxiety; Religious trauma; Abortion support
**Works with:** Individuals, Couples

Shaun Healy, MA, LCSW Smiling and seated near a window, wearing a button up gray denim shirt — Shaun Healy, MA, LCSW

**(she/they)**
**Specialties:** Gender and sex therapy; LGBTQ+ identity development; Anxiety; Depression; Substance use; Childhood trauma; Relationships and attachment; Eating disorders
**Works with:** Individuals

Kohen Snyder, MA, LCPC smiling with arms folded, wearing a grey sweatshirt — Kohen Snyder, MA, LCPC

**(they/them, he/him)**
**Specialties:** Gender and sex therapy; LGBTQ+ identity development; Anxiety; Depression; Complex trauma; Binge Eating Disorder; Chronic pain, illness, and/or disability
**Works with:** Individuals

Please feel welcome to reach out and schedule an appointment today with one of our Chicago LGBTQ+ Therapy Professionals.

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