LGBT Affirming Therapy & Counseling in Ann Arbor

You are unique and thus have unique needs. In therapy and consultation, our goal is to meet each person as the individual they are. We do not have a scripted or cookie-cutter method because we believe that in each session you deserve to be given freedom to embody whatever will best meet your needs. At TheraBee you will find acceptance, compassion, and non-judgment. We offer a variety of services including therapy, consultation, as well as education, preparation, and skill development during major life transitions such as child bearing/birth, death, and everything in between.

A Non-judgmental, Secular, and Accepting Approach for the LGBTQ Community and Alternative Folks

TheraBee is committed to all clients, and being very comfortable working with those marginalized for reasons around their sexuality and gender (i.e. LGBTQ and Alternative folks). See below for each of our therapist’s personal intervention specialities.

Intern

About Skylar Sedgewick, Clinical Intern (he/him or they/them)

I am a white bisexual transman with a commitment to those of us on the margins. Growing up, I often got messages telling me how to be “normal” and reminders for my “failure” to adhere to those norms. Through this experience, I’ve come to find a few things: What dominant culture calls “normal” is not inherently good, and falling outside these standards is totally allowed to be beautiful. Further, the people that say you should be normal may not actually have all the answers.

If you have been made to feel othered by dominant culture I want to hear your story as you tell it. My goal is to help hold some of the heaviness with you in session and make that weight easier to carry when you leave. My work includes exploring the parts that make up who you are and figuring out where your different voices come from, as well as reconnecting with your body and emotions to find the wisdom inherent in you. I approach practice with an understanding that systems constantly send us messages that can make us feel lesser. I want to reconstruct that with you so that you can come to know your inherent value despite and in light of these oppressive structures.

From a technical point of view, I am a Master of Social Work student at the University of Michigan completing a Field placement with TheraBee Psychology as a clinical intern. I use an eclectic approach, meaning my toolbox is full of a variety of evidence-based practices. In this box are: Somatic/body-based interventions, Polyvagal theory, “Parts” work (Internal Family Systems – IFS), Attachment theory, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy – DBT. I hold a Bachelor of Psychology from Oakland University and a certificate in Somatic Trauma Therapy from The Embody Lab.

I look forward to getting curious with you!

Coaches

About Alaina Knox (they/she)

Hey y’all. I am a somatically trained, anti-oppression mental health care provider and conflict resolution practitioner.

I help clients develop a more intimate awareness, and acceptance of their identities by supporting them in differentiating between their own voice and the voice of the abusive systems that surround them.

I believe that all systems of oppression are linked and rooted in a need to control that which ventures outside of the lines.

It is for that reason that my approach to healing is non-dual, meaning that it is grounded in the belief that multiple truths exist, sometimes contradicting one another and causing conflict.

I believe that we cannot shame ourselves into action.

I am devoted to helping clients build an internal world that is not riddled with shame, guilt, or fear. To do this my process combines shadow work and inner child healing.

My personal joys include cats, hula hooping, and spending time near water.

I am wishing you the best of luck on your journey in love & liberation.

Therapists

About Keelie Wimberley, LPC, NCC (she/her)

Hiya! My focus is supportive and very much aligned with empowerment. Everyone deserves to feel good in their brain and body. No matter how “odd” or “weird” you feel. I understand. We meet where you are and work towards where you want to be, whatever that needs to look like.

As a triple threat minority, I have my own experience in navigating the world with specific lenses and expectations placed on me without my permission and I’ve learned how to be unapologetically myself and I want to offer a space for you to do that as well.

I primarily utilize Person-Centered Therapy and a Feminist Therapy Informed Strength-Based approach, which is fancy talk for empowerment, identifying and using your strengths to get you to where you want to be, and gaining insight on how gender bias and oppression impact how you move through the world. It is also in the cards for me to offer Hypnotherapy in the future.

I received my Bachelor’s of Art Degree in Psychology from West Virginia University and my Master’s of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health, Counseling with a specialization in Forensic Psychology from Walden University. I was licensed in Ohio as an LPC in 2022 and I am a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).

About Margaret Taylor, LPC, NCC (she/her)

Greetings! Picking a therapist can be tough. Here’s some info about therapy with me:

I work at the intersection of family and relationship issues and past experiences. It is important to understand the interactions between your inner thoughts and emotions, your relationships with your partner or partners, your family and friends, and your broader community. This understanding helps me collaborate with you in examining the issues that you’re experiencing and constructing reachable goals. Together we can examine what patterns you may be stuck in, and then explore ways to create meaningful and lasting change. Therapy interventions will be formulated with your input, moving toward your goals, and moving at your pace. Some modalities that I use are EMDR and Internal Family Systems Theory. 

I usually work on relational issues, symptoms of trauma, anxiety, depression, communication difficulties, and ADHD symptoms. I often work with people who experience marginalization regarding their sexual orientation, gender, race, profession, body size, sexual practices (kink), religious practices, or relationship styles (non-monogamy). I do individual, couple, relational, and family therapy. 

Who am I, anyways? I’m a nerd. I enjoy my two cats, crochet, Dungeons & Dragons, board games, coffee, Star Trek, podcasts, and long walks in the park. I’m a good listener, and I care very much about the well-being of my clients and my community. I also have qualifications which are listed below*. I can’t be the best fit for all people, but if I sound like I could be a good therapist for you, then please feel free to schedule an initial consultation. 

Qualifications: 

Kink Informed Certification (expected December 2023) through the Sexual Health Alliance

EMDR Basic Training through the Personal Transformation Institute

MA in Counseling, specialization in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy from the University of Holy Cross in New Orleans (Accreditted by CACREP, no religious classes were required)

BA in Psychology from the University of Southern California

About Andrew Benjamin, LLMSW (he/fae)

My approach is caring and collaborative, helping clients create achievable goals and identify patterns of behavior. I believe you are the most important person in your life, and we all have an innate capacity for resiliency, growth, and healing. My intention is to help folks access and draw wisdom from this inner capacity with attuned, non-judgmental care.

My strengths are working with adolescents and adults who are experiencing difficulties related to trauma, anxiety, depression, attachment, compulsions, and substance use concerns. I am a queer-affirming, trans-affirming, anti-racist, anti-ableist, intersectionality-minded therapist who believes in the role of attachment-based & somatic-based interventions to allow for the healing of our nervous systems, cultivate mindfulness, and communicate more effectively.

I graduated from the University of Michigan School of Social Work with an emphasis on interpersonal practices in integrated health, mental health, & substance abuse. My work with folks is focused on meeting them where they’re at and helping them navigate stressors and vulnerability factors that cause discomfort and distress in daily life.

About Christina Hallmann, LMSW (she/her)

I approach therapy from the core understanding that healing happens between people. With your goals as our guide, we will build our therapeutic relationship as well as watch your other relationships transform. I also believe that you make sense- your feelings, thoughts, behaviors, recurring relationship conflicts- all of it! Often something giving us trouble in the present was at one time something that helped us. We will work together to reach out to those stuck patterns from the past and give them what they need to adapt to your current life.

In this work together, we will move at your pace, balancing coping with day-to-day issues along with digging deeper into healing underlying concerns in a ratio that feels right to you. I am also ready to explore with you how moving through the world with your social identities has shaped your life experiences. Most importantly, all feelings are welcome with me, and will be met with compassion and curiosity.

Fancy Terms for How I Work: Attachment Theory, Strengths-Based Approaches, Internal Family Systems, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Poly-Vagal Theory

Education: Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Community Action and Social Change from The University of Michigan; Master’s in Social Work- Geriatric Scholar from The University of Michigan

About Rachael Escareño, LLPC, NCC, CTP (they/she)

Hi! I’m Rachael, and I am happy to be a part of your healing journey. I practice with a person-centered and feminist influenced counseling style, focusing on oppression and placement in society and their effect on humankind’s mental health. I value authenticity and wish for you to feel like you can be your most true self while engaging in therapy with me.

Congruence is to be similar, consistent, balanced. I like to think that this is a word that defines myself and my approaches well. I practice congruence in, and out, of the therapeutic setting and intend to view each of my clients with unconditional positive regard. To me, a mental health professional should be able to present themselves with a balanced and consistent sensibility regardless of who they interact with. I like to approach therapy in a way that ensures that issues of identity and individuality, cultural intersections, and placement in society are addressed. In practice, I hope to guide people to an improved sense of self and help them discover the power within themselves, with the ultimate goal of changing the way inequality and oppression affect people’s mental health.

My modalities include trauma-informed therapy, EMDR, mindfulness/relaxation, and polyvagal theory. I am excited for you to experience healing at the surface level, as well as at the core of your being.

About Morgan Durocher, R-DMT, LPC (she/her)

I offer therapy from the idea that every person is unique, and therefore it is my goal to meet every client where they are, and work together to find what may best meet their needs. I bring a body-based, mindfulness approach that focuses on compassion and non-judgment. I believe that bringing attention to the body, and celebrating its unique qualities, can help individuals expand their awareness and ability to process, while encouraging creativity and connection. Therapy interventions I offer include dance/movement therapy, sensorimotor psychotherapy, mindfulness, solution focused techniques, as well as traditional psychotherapy. I believe that re-integrating the body and mind into therapy can provide tangible ways for clients to relax into a place where healing can begin.

I received a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Dance Therapy from Eastern Michigan University. I also received a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling specializing in Dance/Movement Therapy from Lesley University. I am a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and professional member of the American Dance Therapy Association.

About Andrea (Andi) Bezaire, MS, LLP (they/them)

Hi! I’m a human who happens to be a therapist as well as a member of a lot of the communities we serve at TheraBee. I am fairly flexible in my approach to therapy, although I tend to encourage you to become more embodied and present in your physical self – sometimes through talking, sometimes by noticing; we will probably move around and get curious! Does that land with you? I feel very strongly that the fit between therapist and client is one of the most important parts of allowing the process to work so that we can work toward real feelings of calm and putting the “health” back into your mental health.

It’s crucial to me that I always approach you and the entire therapeutic process from a nonjudgmental and secular viewpoint, with scientific research at its core. That being said, I will share a little more about the importance of me being a real person; it’s that I know stuff. Not just facts about therapy, and a bunch of different modalities, but also stuff about life. And “lifestyle”. Basically, if you usually have to explain your lifestyle to someone, I’ll probably get you. And, if you usually have to explain that your lifestyle is NOT a part of why you are stressed/upset/anxious/depressed/(whatever), then we will probably be able to get you somewhere because we won’t be bogged down in those details. Unless it IS what you want to focus on, then we can dig in without you having to explain to me what the jargon means. All of that being said, I can also help you if you have a lingering question in your mind about “Is it kinky or is it abuse?” It is not a fun question to have lurking – let’s sort that shit out together.

So I think that pretty much summarizes who I am/how I approach therapy… and you probably have a pretty clear idea of if we would be able to do some great work together, or if someone else is likely to be a better fit (which is totally allowed!). No matter who you work with, or what your process looks like, I wish you a healing journey on your path!

Oh, and for those of you who would like a more formal credential-driven bio: I went to Wayne State University for undergrad (Double Major in Psychology with Honors and Peace & Conflict Studies), then Eastern Michigan University for grad school (Master’s in Clinical Psychology). I received my birth and post-partum doula training at the Center for the Childbearing Year (now Lifespan Doulas), and my Urban Tantra ® Professional training with Barbara Carrellas. I am trained in lots of different psychotherapy modalities, most notably Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (through SPI), EMDR (via an EMDRIA-approved institute), DBT,  and in progress of getting a formal Sex Therapist certification.

Admin Staff

About Jenn Donnay (she/her)

Jenn is TheraBee’s fantastic Admin and Billing whiz. She is happy to help you in your healing journey by making the logistical crap as easy/smooth as possible.. Please feel free to contact her when you have questions about billing, payment, and other finicky details. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with family and friends, as well as decorating and organizing.

We are LGBT-Friendly Therapists in Ann Arbor

If you’re ready to jump in ask us some questions or let’s book an appointment!

We also serve Ypsilanti, Saline, Brighton, Belleville, Milan, and the surrounding areas.