Sarah Charbonneau (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in private practice at Pride Inside in Carytown and Discovery Counseling and Consulting in the west end of Richmond, Virginia. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University and has over 15 years of clinical experience in the field of adult mental health, sexuality, gender and sexual identity issues. Additionally, Sarah has extensive training and over 9 years of clinical experience providing transgender and gender expansive individuals a safe and supportive space to explore, honor, and pursue their personal truth and identity. As a queer-identified provider, ally and strong advocate for transgender rights and access to care, Sarah also provides clinical consultation and provider workshops on issues relevant to working with LGBTQ+, transgender and gender expansive individuals in an effort to increase awareness and understanding, enhance clinical knowledge, improve access to inclusive, appropriate care in Virginia.
Sarah offers individual and group therapy services to adults ages 18+ and specializes in the treatment of:
Sarah has been intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Borderline Personality Disorder and Prolonged Exposure for PTSD. Sarah is a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), the Transgender Health Alliance of Central Virginia, and the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom.
Sarah offers individual and group therapy services to adults ages 18+ and specializes in the treatment of:
- Gender Dysphoria; Transgender health and issues related to gender transition
- LGBTQIAP+ issues
- Open relationships/Polyamorous relationship issues
- Sex-positive, kink-knowledgeable therapy
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Depression and anxiety
Sarah has been intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Borderline Personality Disorder and Prolonged Exposure for PTSD. Sarah is a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), the Transgender Health Alliance of Central Virginia, and the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom.
Lisa Griffin, Ph.D. (she/her) is a clinical psychologist with over 25 years of clinical experience, specializing in the area of gender identity. She works primarily with gender-diverse children, adolescents, and their families, both in her private practice and at Side by Side, a support and advocacy organization for LGBTQ+ youth. She is licensed in Virginia and North Carolina. You can learn more about her practice here.
Lisa received her B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin with Highest Honors and Special Honors in Psychology; she is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She obtained her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Denver. She was an intern at Baylor College of Medicine and a postdoctoral fellow at Texas Children’s Hospital.
She is a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and the American Psychological Association, and she is a member and serves on the board of the United States Professional Association for Transgender Health. She has taught gender and sexuality courses as an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Queens University of Charlotte, and Virginia Commonwealth University. She speaks nationally and internationally on issues pertaining to transgender care, particularly in the areas of youth, cultural competence, and professional ethics. She was named a 2017 Outstanding Virginian by Equality Virginia.
Lisa received her B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin with Highest Honors and Special Honors in Psychology; she is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She obtained her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Denver. She was an intern at Baylor College of Medicine and a postdoctoral fellow at Texas Children’s Hospital.
She is a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and the American Psychological Association, and she is a member and serves on the board of the United States Professional Association for Transgender Health. She has taught gender and sexuality courses as an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Queens University of Charlotte, and Virginia Commonwealth University. She speaks nationally and internationally on issues pertaining to transgender care, particularly in the areas of youth, cultural competence, and professional ethics. She was named a 2017 Outstanding Virginian by Equality Virginia.
Ari Laoch (he/him or they/them) is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), a Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer (CBIST), and a Resident in Counseling. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University as a member of the honor society Chi Sigma Iota with a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health. Ari Currently serves on the Board of VA-Association of LGBT Issues in Counseling, Richmond Area Counselors Association, and the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling. Ari has published Neurorehabilitation and Mental Health treatment recommendations for persons within the LGBTQ+ community. He is a presenter who teaches both professionals and students LGBTQIA+ competency, emotional healing for persons living with HIV, and emotional recovery related to addiction concerns.
Much of Ari’s work is empowerment-based working through trauma, be that systemic/historical and/or single event-based trauma. Ari provides culturally competent interventions for adults within the LGBTQ+ community (including those persons who identify as MSM / WSW), persons who want to challenge their substance use, adults seeking a polyamorous knowledgeable provider, persons experiencing post brain injury challenges, persons living with HIV/AIDS, as well as adults seeking a kink-knowledgeable professional.
Much of Ari’s work is empowerment-based working through trauma, be that systemic/historical and/or single event-based trauma. Ari provides culturally competent interventions for adults within the LGBTQ+ community (including those persons who identify as MSM / WSW), persons who want to challenge their substance use, adults seeking a polyamorous knowledgeable provider, persons experiencing post brain injury challenges, persons living with HIV/AIDS, as well as adults seeking a kink-knowledgeable professional.
Jesse Waller (she/her) is a Licensed Massage Therapist, a member of ABMP, and a Professional Birth Doula trained through toLabor. She is a graduate of Lotus School of Integrated Professions in Richmond Virginia, and she is passionate about helping others create a healthy balance in clients’ lives, either by relieving pain and stress or simply by providing a relaxation massage.
Her practice is body positive, trans- and gender-nonconforming inclusive and centers on members of the GSM community. She is also passionate about pre- and post-natal massage and loves working with people throughout their pregnancy and journey into parenthood.
Each massage is customized to the client's needs and can range from light to very firm pressure. She incorporates a wide variety of techniques, including Swedish, trigger point, and myofascial release.
Her practice is body positive, trans- and gender-nonconforming inclusive and centers on members of the GSM community. She is also passionate about pre- and post-natal massage and loves working with people throughout their pregnancy and journey into parenthood.
Each massage is customized to the client's needs and can range from light to very firm pressure. She incorporates a wide variety of techniques, including Swedish, trigger point, and myofascial release.