Out Youth Therapist Network

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Out Youth has established a network of therapists who agree to reserve one therapy spot for a low-cost LGBTQ youth or young adult client. The Network is similar to a “pro bono” model, in which a number of therapists hold a single spot for a youth or young adult who would not otherwise be able to access LGBTQIA-affirming counseling.

Why There is a Need for the Network

  • Despite a growing clinical staff at Out Youth, demand for affordable LGBTQ-affirming counseling for people with barriers to accessing care is outpacing supply. We are frequently running on a waitlist.

  • Youth present to Out Youth requesting counseling who would benefit from specialized counseling, especially trauma-focused counseling such as EMDR and DBT.

  • Clinicians have voiced a desire to support Out Youth’s work, and the Network provides a way for clinicians to offer tangible support and cooperate with Out Youth.

How the Network Works

  • Clients continue to present to Out Youth and go through our screening process to assess the appropriate level of care.

  • If the waitlist would prevent timely placement with a counselor, or if the client would benefit from more specialized treatment than Out Youth is able to provide, the client is matched with a clinician in the Therapist Network.

  • Out Youth would connect clinician and client and pass along relevant information from screening to a clinician.

  • Clinician meets with clients at their existing location and under their Professional Liability Insurance. The client pays $10/session (Out Youth’s existing standard fee).

  • Additionally, therapists in the Network will be listed in Out Youth materials and may share publicly that they are in the Network. We also host trainings and periodic mixers to foster a community of LGBTQIA-affirming therapists.

Apply to Join the Network

  • To start, fill out the online application available here, which should take approximately 5-10 minutes.

  • An Out Youth Staff Therapist will be in contact to complete screening/ask any additional questions and invite eligible therapists to formally join the network.

Current Therapist Network Members

April Owen, Psy.D

Brian Kennedy, LPC

Erin K. Ebert, LCSW

Jenna Burns, LPC Intern

Julie Burke, LPC

Karen Finley Breeding, LPC-S

Kimberly Vered Shashoua, LCSW

Monrovia Van Hoose, LCSW

Neathery Thurmond, LCSW

Erin K. Ebert, LCSW

Brian Kunde, LCSW

Schawn Austin, LPC Intern

Vicki J. Bates, LPC

Ashley J Taylor, LPC

Stacy Marshall, LPC Associate

Jennifer Rivera-Enriquez, LPC

Bonnie Madison, LPC Associate

Stephanie Van Fossen, LPC

Nakita J. Santiago, LPC Associate

If you have any questions about the Out Youth Therapist Network,
please contact Jane Bernick at jane.bernick@outyouth.org