LGBTQ AFFIRMATIVE COUNSELING
FINDING A COUNSELOR
On your journey to find a counselor who is the right fit for you, decide whether it is important to you that your counselor is a member of the LGBTQIA community or at least experienced with some of the particular challenges within this population. Counseling is an intensely personal process and for many clients, it is important that their counselor be able to relate directly to their life experiences. Not all counselors who are members of the community will be able to identify with all LGBTQIA issues, but for some people finding a counselor who is more familiar with your sexuality can be preferrable. Beyond sexual identity, it is important to take into consideration your counselor’s background, education, experience and the ability to understand your individual needs.
LGBTQ AFFIRMATIVE COUNSELING SESSIONS
In addition to being qualified to address a variety of mental health issues that effect all people such as depression, anxiety, relationships, trauma and addiction; Affirmative Counselors have personally experienced or are familiar with issues that specifically and directly affect those in the LGBTQIA Community. These counselors are dedicated to helping this community through a lense of understanding.
At Gibson Counseling, it is our mission to provide an inclusive and comfortable safe space for all of our clients.
LGBTQIA Therapists at Gibson Counseling

Michelle Sumners, LCSW, LCDC
Michelle's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Michelle
Location: In person South Round Rock and Video Therapy for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Multiplan, PHCS, Self pay $150
Accepting New Clients: Yes (no kids) Evening and Saturdays available
Expertise: Adults and couples

Eleny Guerrero Pena, LPC, LCDC
Eleny's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Eleny
Location: In person Cedar Park and Video Therapy for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Sendero, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Multiplan/PHCS, Self pay $150
Accepting New Clients: No (no children)
Video and In person : Daytime hours only at this time ( 9am-1pm)
Expertise: Adults , Couples
- Military Veterans and/or family
- BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous and People of Color)
- Sexual Assault
- Self Esteem
- Addiction
- Anger
- Anxiety
- CBT
- Trauma-EMDR
- Depression
- Life adjustment
- LGBTQ
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Mindfulness
- Marriage Counseling-Gottman Trained

Whitney Briggs, LPC-S
Whitney's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Whitney
Location: Video Therapy for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers) , Triwest-VA, Self pay $150
Accepting New Clients: NO (Video Only) ADULTS, COUPLES & CHILDREN OVER 12
Expertise: Adults

Mary Ellen Martin, LMFT
MaryEllen's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about MaryEllen
Location: In person South Round Rock and Video Therapy for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana Sendero, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Multiplan/PHCS, Self pay $150
Accepting New Clients: No (No kids at this time)
Expertise: Adults, Couples

David "Nathan" Evans, LPC
Nathan's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Nathan
Location: In Person Cedar Park and Video for Texas residents
Insurances Accepted: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Multiplan/PHCS, Humana, Sendero, Self pay $150
Accepting New Clients: Yes
Expertise: Adults only (no couples)

Sally Guerra, LPC
Sally's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Sally
Location: Video Only for Texas Residents
Insurances Accepted: Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Tricare, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Triwest-VA, Self Pay $150
Evaluations Offered: ADD, ADHD, Mood Disorders, Anger Issues and PTSD
Accepting New Clients: YES (VIDEO ONLY)
Video only (Children age 12 and up)
Expertise: Kids (12yr and up), Adults and Couples
- Addiction
- ADHD
- Anger
- Anxiety
- CBT
- Child and adolescent counseling (12 years and older)
- Depression
- Geriatric/Elderly concerns
- LGBTQIA
- Life adjustment
- Marriage Counseling
- Mindfulness
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Trauma
- Dissociative Disorder

Sheryl Stiffler, LMFT
Sheryl's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Sheryl
Location: Video Therapy for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), BCBS, Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Triwest-VA, Self pay $150
Accepting New Clients: NO (Video only) Daytime availability only
Expertise: Kids (6 yr and up), Adults and Couples

Paulina Pina, LPC
Paulina's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Paulina
Location: In person South Round Rock and Video Therapy for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Triwest-VA, Self pay $150
Accepting New Clients: NO
Expertise:Kids (8 yrs and older), Adults and Couples

Rhonda Mack, LPC
Rhonda's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Rhonda
Location: In person Cedar Park and Video Therapy for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Humana, Cigna/Evernorth (no EAP), Aetna (no EAP) , Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Triwest-VA, Self pay $150
Accepting New Clients: NO
(Video and in person)
Expertise: Adults , Couples and Adolescents ages 14 and up
- Military Veterans and/or family
- BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous and People of Color)
- Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
- Self Esteem
- Anger
- Anxiety
- CBT
- Trauma
- Depression
- Life adjustment
- LGBTQ
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Mindfulness
- Marriage Counseling