
Sarah Charbonneau (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice at Pride Inside in Carytown and Discovery Counseling and Consulting in the west end of Richmond, Virginia with over 15 years of clinical experience in the field of adult mental health, sexuality, gender and sexual identity issues. Sarah is a WPATH GEI Certified Gender Specialist with 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. 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, enhance clinical knowledge, and improve access to inclusive, affirmative care in Virginia.
Sarah offers individual and group therapy services to adults ages 18+ and specializes in the treatment of:
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
- Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Depression and anxiety

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 and is a WPATH-certified gender specialist. 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, LPC, CRC, CBIST (he/him or they/them), is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), a Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer (CBIST), and a Licensed Professional Counselor. 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.