LGBTQIA+ Counseling
Brittany Schmidt
I specialize in gender therapy. I primarily work with transgender and non-binary teens and young adults. I take a supportive and affirming approach to therapy, and I believe that the client is the expert of themselves. I am here to provide insight, knowledge, and skills. I utilize a neuro-scientific approach in my counseling, and also work with couples and polyamorous relationships.
Caitlin Yilmazer
I primarily specialize in treating LGBTQ+ populations and couples. I am also experienced in working with individuals and families who may be experiencing a variety of issues, such as: anxiety, depression, anger management difficult life transitions, self-esteem, relationship issues, and other types of systemic conflict. In my work with couples, I have experience with various concerns couples face, including: issues of intimacy and communication, high-conflict, issues of trust, and infidelity. I offer a systemic approach when working with couples and families; this means I incorporate a circular perspective of relationships in sessions. I provide more than a safe space, I provide structured treatment geared specifically towards the unique needs of LGBTQ+ populations. I work with several populations including: same-gender and transition couples, trans population at all phases of transition (binary and nonbinary), various sexual identities, and families seeking to better support and understand.
Lorna Douglas
My approach to counseling is holistic and person-centered. With an attitude of non-judgement and unconditional positive regard, I work alongside my clients to examine how their unique strengths can be harnessed to bring increased balance into every dimension of life: physical, emotional, and spiritual. I primarily incorporate aspects of cognitive behavior therapy, wellness counseling, and mindfulness in my practice with clients in order to help relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress from mental illness or difficult life transitions.
Dave Brewer
Families today come in all shapes and sizes. And although no family shape or size is bad in itself, dealing with changes or conflicting needs can be hard. Adults and kids in today's families face the challenges that past generations never had to deal with. We face divorce and step-family issues, kids who can't seem to get along with parents, brothers and sisters or other kids. Single parent families, gay and lesbian family members, grandparents raising grandchildren. Some kids just struggle to succeed, either at home or at school, despite tremendous efforts on everyone's part. I work with individuals or families to help them create attainable goals and plans to reach these goals successfully. My focus is on strengths and solutions.
Katie Long
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor treating anxiety, depression, stress, adjustment, and issues related to gender identity and transition in the Cincinnati area. My goal is to help individuals identify their unique strengths and to help them experience fulfilling, meaningful lives. I am a member of The Waybridge Center for Gender Actualization, and I have a special interest in working with partners of individuals who are transitioning and helping them learn how to support their partner or spouse through psychoeducation and enlisting empathy in one another. I strive to create a relaxed, affirming, unbiased environment where clients can feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, needs and feelings. I use a variety of techniques with an emphasis on building personal strengths to help clients identify goals, increase their self-esteem and agency, and assist them in building new, healthy habits.
Sage Maniates
Cincinnati, Ft. Thomas Sage has a particular interest in working with LGBTQIA+ adults and adolescents, and others who are working through issues related to human sexuality, disability, identity development, and interpersonal trauma. They are kink and polyamory/non-monogamy affirming and encourage collaborative and culturally responsive practice. Sage is a current master's student at the University of Cincinnati and an intern with the Waybridge Gender Program. They began focusing on gender, sexuality, and anti-oppression work as an undergraduate at Oberlin College, and continued that work as a Sexual Violence Prevention Educator and crisis-intervention specialist at a rape crisis center in Illinois from 2018-2021.
Deanna Mcpeek
Dayton, Cincinnati I have a primary interest in working with LGBTQIA+ adults and adolescents working through issues of religious trauma, generational trauma, interpersonal trauma, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and identity development. I practice a holistic, person-centered approach to working with clients' strengths to meet their unique needs. I am kink and polyamory/consensual non-monogamy aware and affirming. My aim is to provide a space of acceptance for who each client is authentically as we work together through diverse situations and emotions. I am currently a second-year Master’s student at Wright State University obtaining my degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a practicum student with the Waybridge Gender Actualization team. I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Psychology with concentrations in Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience and my Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from Wright State University.