
Queer, I Therapy Team
Therapy by and for LGBTQIA+ folks
The mission of our Queer, I team is to provide comprehensive, affordable, and inclusive mental health services to Queer folks by Queer folks. We strive to create a safe and supportive environment where individuals and their family members or partners can access the care they deserve, tailored to their unique experiences and needs. Our goal is to foster mental well-being, connection, authenticity, inclusivity, and empowerment within the Queer community, promoting a sense of belonging, resilience, and growth.
We see our team’s name as a metaphor. As our community is reclaiming and exploring all that queer can mean, we hope your therapeutic journey will empower you to reclaim and explore your own identities and the shape of your life, goals, and relationships.
Meet our team below—we work with couples, adults, and youth aged 8 and older. We are in-network with Aetna, Meritain, UMR, Continental, Cigna, Horizon, BCBS, Anthem, Empire, United Healthcare, Optum, Oxford, Medicare, Oscar, and 1199 plans. We offer daytime, evening, and weekend appointments.
Click the "book now" button for any clinician to see their open weekly times and request your first appointment.
BOOK A THERAPIST
Use our filtering tool to choose your Queer, I team therapist.
Click “book now” to request an appointment in their live calendar.

PIERCE BOURGET-PLAAG (they/them)
MSW, LSW
Psychotherapist
APPROACH
Pierce is a gay & nonbinary person who works with clients navigating issues such as poly relationships, ADHD, anxiety, depression, substance use, & LGBTQ+ identity & experience. They employ a person-centered & trauma-informed approach using Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) & Gottman Method with couples.
TOP SPECIALTIES
• LGBTQIA+ Care
• ADD & ADHD
• Anxiety & Depression
• Poly Relationships
• Recovery & Sobriety
DEMOGRAPHICS
Adults, Couples, Teens 13-18 yrs, Seniors
LANGUAGE SPOKEN
English
SESSIONS
Jersey City, Telehealth: NJ
Monday - Friday, Evenings

CECIL GAUER (he/his) MSW, LCSW
Psychotherapist
APPROACH
Cecil supports clients with strength-based, person-centered, & solution-focused techniques while drawing on his experiences as a bisexual transgender man. With couples, he utilizes the Gottman Method to strengthen all relationship styles, including traditional, non-monogamous, & kink-oriented relationships.
TOP SPECIALTIES
• Anxiety & Depression
• LGBTQIA+ Care
• ADD & ADHD
• Trauma & PTSD
• Poly Relationships
DEMOGRAPHICS
Adults, Couples
LANGUAGE SPOKEN
English
SESSIONS
Millburn, Telehealth: NJ, Telehealth: NY
Monday - Friday, Evenings

BENET SEIFTER (she/her)
MSW, LCSW
Psychotherapist
APPROACH
Benet specializes in supporting queer clients to navigate gender and sexuality, transitioning, relationships, anxiety, and depression, with a special focus on professionals exploring their authentic identity at work. She blends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with motivational support.
TOP SPECIALTIES
• LGBTQIA+ Care
• Anxiety & Depression
• Sex Therapy
• Brainspotting
• Workplace & Career
DEMOGRAPHICS
Adults
LANGUAGE SPOKEN
English
SESSIONS
Bloomfield, Telehealth: NJ, Telehealth: VT
Sunday - Thursday, Evenings, Weekends

CHARLEY RAFFERTY (she/her)
MSW, LSW
Psychotherapist
APPROACH
Charley is a member of our Queer, I team and specializes in supporting the LGBTQIA+ community utilizes a strengths-based approach and a trauma-informed lens with her clients. She uses a psychodynamic approach with clients who want to explore their unconscious motives and behaviors.
TOP SPECIALTIES
• Trauma & PTSD
• LGBTQIA+ Care
• Relationship Issues
• Poly Relationships
• Family Systems
DEMOGRAPHICS
Adults, Teens 13-18 yrs, Couples
LANGUAGE SPOKEN
English
SESSIONS
Jersey City, Telehealth: NJ
Monday - Friday, Evenings

JAMIE SANTOPIETRO (she/her)
MSW, LSW
Psychotherapist
APPROACH
As a veteran, mom, and therapist, Jamie helps adults, veterans, first responders, & anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community. She specializes in relationships, anxiety, depression, PTSD, sex and intimacy concerns, & rebuilding post-divorce, drawing on mindfulness and art therapy techniques.
TOP SPECIALTIES
• Trauma & PTSD
• LGBTQIA+ Care
• Divorce
• Relationship Issues
• Breakup Recovery
DEMOGRAPHICS
Adults, Seniors
LANGUAGE SPOKEN
English
SESSIONS
Jersey City, Telehealth: NJ
Sunday - Thursday, Evenings, Weekends

HERLIDE JOSEPH (she/her)
LAC
Psychotherapist
APPROACH
Herlide works with adults, couples, & co-parents facing anxiety & depression, relationship issues, self-esteem, & codependency. She offers LGBTQIA+ Care, creating a space where clients feel safe and supported. Using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), she helps clients break patterns & create meaningful change.
TOP SPECIALTIES
• ADD & ADHD
• Couples Counseling
• LGBTQIA+ Care
• Anxiety & Depression
• Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
DEMOGRAPHICS
Adults, Couples, Seniors
LANGUAGE SPOKEN
English
SESSIONS
Jersey City, Telehealth: NJ
Sunday - Thursday, Evenings, Weekends

IZZY PICO (she/her)
MSW, LSW
Psychotherapist
APPROACH
Izzy is a compassionate therapist who specializes in helping kids, teens, couples & adults with challenges such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, self-harm & more. Izzy draws on an eclectic approach using CBT & DBT techniques, mindfulness, and a humanistic perspective to promote healing.
TOP SPECIALTIES
• Relationship Issues
• LGBTQIA+ Care
• Anxiety & Depression
• Life Transitions
• Bipolar Disorder
DEMOGRAPHICS
Adults, Couples, Kids 8-12 yrs, Teens 13-18 yrs
LANGUAGE SPOKEN
English
SESSIONS
Bloomfield, Telehealth: NJ
Sunday - Thursday, Evenings, Weekends

VANESSA MORALES (she/her)
MSW, LSW
Psychotherapist
APPROACH
Vanessa supports kids, teens, & adults with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, & neurodivergence. Using interventions informed by ACT, CBT, DBT, & somatic therapy, she tailors sessions to help clients enhance emotional regulation, feel more grounded, & cultivate a greater sense of well-being.
TOP SPECIALTIES
• LGBTQIA+ Care
• Anxiety & Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Mindfulness
• Trauma & PTSD
DEMOGRAPHICS
Adults, Kids 8-12 yrs, Teens 13-18 yrs
LANGUAGE SPOKEN
English
SESSIONS
Bloomfield, Telehealth: NJ
Tuesday - Saturday, Evenings, Weekends

MAX LAFFEND (they/them)
MSW, LCSW
Psychotherapist
APPROACH
Max specializes in work with couples & individuals to maximize strengths & develop strategies for progress. Their work emphasizes evidence-based practices & customized treatment plans to help clients. They use Gottman Method with couples, & CBT & solution-focused modalities with individuals.
TOP SPECIALTIES
• LGBTQIA+ Care
• Relationship Issues
• Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
• Anxiety & Depression
• Cancer, Pain, Chronic Illness
DEMOGRAPHICS
Adults, Couples
LANGUAGE SPOKEN
English
SESSIONS
Jersey City, Telehealth: NJ, Telehealth: NY, Telehealth: VT
Tuesday - Saturday, Evenings, Weekends

MARGARET BOLANOS (she/her) MSW, LCSW
Psychotherapist
APPROACH
Margaret is a queer Latina therapist passionate about helping clients navigate anxiety, trauma, interpersonal violence, first-generation experiences, sexual orientation, sexual relationships, & gender identity. She uses DBT, trauma-focused techniques like IFS, & provides sessions in English and Spanish.
TOP SPECIALTIES
• LGBTQIA+ Care
• Trauma & PTSD
• Anxiety & Depression
• Poly Relationships
• Relationship Issues
DEMOGRAPHICS
Adults, Couples, Teens 13-18 yrs, Seniors
LANGUAGE SPOKEN
English, Spanish
SESSIONS
Millburn, Telehealth: NJ
Monday - Friday, Evenings

KENDALL MARQUARD (she/her)
MSW, LSW
Psychotherapist
APPROACH
Kendall works with kids, teens, & adults facing relationship issues, anxiety, grief, bipolar disorder, as well as social & school issues. She is focused on helping you feel safe, supported, & empowered. She uses CBT, DBT, play therapy, & motivational work to help you gain insight and bring about change.
TOP SPECIALTIES
• Relationship Issues
• Grief & Loss
• Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
• Bipolar Disorder
• Dialectical Behavioral (DBT)
DEMOGRAPHICS
Adults, Kids 8-12 yrs, Teens 13-18 yrs, Seniors
LANGUAGE SPOKEN
English
SESSIONS
Jersey City, Telehealth: NJ
Sunday - Thursday, Evenings, Weekends

KIRSTEN KENNEDY (she/her)
LAC
Psychotherapist
APPROACH
Kirsten works closely with kids, teens, couples, & anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community who are navigating family conflict, anxiety, depression, LGBTQIA+ care, relationship issues, & the transition to adulthood or from school to working life. She utilizes mindfulness, play therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), & Gottman Method couples therapy to help clients heal & thrive.
TOP SPECIALTIES
• Anxiety & Depression
• LGBTQIA+ Care
• Young Professionals
• Women's Issues
• Life Transitions
DEMOGRAPHICS
Adults, Couples, Kids 8-12 yrs, Teens 13-18 yrs
LANGUAGE SPOKEN
English
SESSIONS
Jersey City, Telehealth: NJ
Sunday - Thursday, Evenings, Weekends