SCIENCEWORKS
BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE
Edited and reviewed:
August 11, 2026
Reviewed by:
Complete Care for all Neurotypes
Therapy | Assessments | Coaching
LGBTQIA+ AFFIRMING CARE
LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy in Tennessee
Affirming therapy for LGBTQIA+ adults and teens in Tennessee, with clinicians you do not have to educate first — telehealth or in person in Nashville.
You spent past sessions explaining the basics
IS LGBTQIA+ AFFIRMING CARE FOR YOU?
A good fit if you want to skip the explaining
Clinicians already fluent in sexual orientation and gender identity
Minority-stress-informed work on anxiety, low mood, and burnout
Support for coming out, family strain, transition, or relationships
Licensed Providers
Telehealth Nationwide*
Neuro-affirming
Private & Secure
WHAT AFFIRMING CARE MEANS HERE
Affirming therapy, and the minority stress it addresses
LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy starts from the position that your sexual orientation and gender identity are not the thing to be treated. What usually does need attention is minority stress — the accumulated weight of concealment, rejection, discrimination, and daily vigilance that research links to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout among LGBTQIA+ people.
In practice that means evidence-based therapy delivered by a clinician who already knows the terrain, so you are not spending paid sessions teaching. The work might cover anxiety or low mood, family strain, coming out, gender identity, relationships, or faith and community — whatever you actually bring. In Tennessee that context matters, and we name it rather than pretending it does not.
KEY STATISTICS ABOUT LGBTQIA+ MENTAL HEALTH
182,000
LGBT adults live in Tennessee
Source:
65%
of LGBTQ+ students felt sad or hopeless, vs 31% of peers
Source:
29%
of LGBTQ+ students were bullied at school, vs 16% of peers
Source:
WHAT TO EXPECT
Simple to start, affirming throughout
1
Free 15-minute consult.
We hear what you need and answer your questions.
2
3
Affirming therapy by telehealth statewide, or in person in Nashville.
You are paired with a provider experienced in LGBTQIA+ affirming care.
Matched to what you need.
Ongoing weekly sessions.
Payment options
As a specialty practice, we're out-of-network so we can offer the most effective, customized services.
Our payment options are transparent and flexible:
-
Self-Pay: All major credit cards; FAS/HSA eligible
-
Payment Plans: 6-months interest-free for approved clients via CareCredit
-
Superbills Provided
-
Out-of-Network: Up to 90% reimbursement for qualifying plans
WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH
Affirming, supervised, clinically reviewed
Your care is delivered by licensed Tennessee clinicians with real experience in LGBTQIA+ affirming practice — not a generalist reading up between sessions. You are matched with someone who already knows the terrain, so your first session can start with your goals.
Dr. Kiesa Kelly (she/her)
Owner & Psychologist
Ryan Burns (he/him)
Practice Director
WHY CLIENTS CHOOSE SCIENCEWORKS
Affirming by practice, not just by label
Because we are independent and out-of-network, your care is guided by what actually helps you — not by insurance limits or session caps.
You are matched with a clinician experienced in LGBTQIA+ affirming care, so a first session starts with your goals, not your definitions.
Care is delivered by secure telehealth across Tennessee, or in person at our Nashville office, whichever feels safer to you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions
What makes therapy actually affirming?
Affirming care treats your identity as a given, not a topic to be assessed. In practice that means a clinician already fluent in sexual orientation and gender identity, who uses your name and pronouns, and who works on what you came in for rather than routing every session back to your identity.
Do you see LGBTQIA+ clients across Tennessee?
Yes. ScienceWorks provides LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy by secure telehealth to adults and teens anywhere in Tennessee, and in person at our Nashville office. Many clients outside the larger metros choose telehealth for privacy as much as for convenience.
Do you work with gender identity and transition?
Yes. That can include exploring gender identity without pressure to reach a conclusion, navigating social transition, and the family or workplace conversations around it. We review fees, scheduling, and any out-of-network reimbursement options before you commit.
*Therapy and assessments available in the following states (coaching available worldwide):
Work with us locally:
AL, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ID, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
2603 Elm Hill Pike, Suite C
Nashville, TN 37214
Disclaimer: This page provides general educational information and is not a substitute for mental health diagnosis or treatment. Reading this page does not create a therapist–client relationship with ScienceWorks Behavioral Healthcare. If you are in crisis or may be at risk of harm to yourself or others, call 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or call/text 988 (U.S.). Additional emergency support can be found here: Emergency Resources.