Looking for a gay counselor?

For a variety of reasons, LGBT people may find a gay counselor is their choice when it is time to get help with a problem.  While you have a right to expect counseling competence from any licensed therapist, LGBT people sometimes find they need to educate non-gay counselors about the circumstances of their lives. Or they find the non-gaycounselor seems uneasy talking about same-sex intimacy or details of gay life. A gay counselor may provide a more supportive environment.

Like other people, gaypeople face issues of anxiety or depression, loneliness or isolation, relationship concerns or just generally feeling less happy than we’d like. But LGBT people sometimes also face distinctive life stressors related to family, dating and relationships, spirituality, sexuality, work/life balance or drug and alcohol use.  We often face particular challenges related to coming out and growing in self-understanding and learning to care for ourselves.

Although I work with all kinds of clients, typically more than half of people I work with are usually gay, lesbian or bi. In addition to individual therapy, I see both gay and non-gay couples for couples therapy.

Read more about couples counseling

I am a professional counselor licensed by the State of Georgia for more than 25 years. I have a Master of Science degree in clinical psychology from Purdue University.  I am a member of the American Counseling Association, the Metropolitan Atlanta Therapists’ Network and the LGBTQ Therapist Resource.

As a gay counselor, my approach is nonjudgmental and compassionate.  One of the great things about being in Atlanta is the opportunity to work with a very diverse community – busy professionals, people of varied economic, ethnic or racial backgrounds, people who have relationships or sexual interests that come in all varieties.

Our work together is determined by your goals, not a pre-conceived or one-size-fits-all approach to emotional health. Good therapy goes beyond just listening and support. I am engaged with my clients to help them gain greater self-understanding and make the changes that make life better.

I limit the number of clients I work with so I can provide each person with the best possible care and attention.  My intention is to keep us focused on your goals, which helps make therapy more effective. And whether you choose to work with me or not, you may want to look at my recommendations for getting the most from psychotherapy.

I invite you to browse through the articles section of my website for insight on topics that might be of interest to you.  As an gay counselor, I’ve had more than 150 articles published in various gay publications.  You can also find links of interest to many in our community in my Resources section.

Hours by appointment only.

John R. Ballew, M.S.
537 Linwood Ave., NE
Atlanta, GA 30306
(404) 874-8536
johnballew@gmail.com