LGBTQIA+ Therapy
in Salt Lake City & Across Utah
Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation
If you have questions before scheduling, feel free to call our billing & scheduling specialist at (801) 441-5652.
Supportive, Affirming Therapy for LGBTQIA+ Adults in Utah
I provide affirming, thoughtful therapy for LGBTQIA+ adults in Utah who want a space where their identities, relationships, and lived experiences are respected and understood. Therapy here is collaborative and grounded in care, curiosity, and genuine human connection, supporting you in navigating life with greater clarity, self-trust, and emotional well-being.
People seek therapy for many reasons. You may be navigating anxiety, perfectionism, relationship challenges, identity-related stress, or the lasting impact of living in environments that were not consistently affirming. You do not need to have everything figured out to begin. Therapy is a place to slow down, make sense of your experiences, and move toward a life that feels more authentic, grounded, and sustainable.
I offer in-person sessions in Salt Lake City and telehealth across Utah, allowing you to access affirming care in a way that feels supportive and workable for your life. You’re welcome to start with a free 15-minute consultation to ask questions and see whether my approach feels like a good fit.
Working Across LGBTQIA+ Identities
LGBTQIA+ experiences are diverse, and therapy is not one-size-fits-all. I work with adults across sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions, and I aim to create a space where you do not need to educate your therapist or justify who you are.
Common themes that often come up in therapy include:
Navigating anxiety, overwhelm, or emotional exhaustion
Exploring identity, belonging, and authenticity
Healing from shame, self-criticism, or internalized messaging
Building healthy, affirming romantic and platonic relationships
Coping with minority stress, rejection, or discrimination
Making sense of family dynamics, chosen family, and boundaries
Adjusting to life transitions, relocation, or major change
Reconnecting with meaning, purpose, and self-acceptance
Seeking support as a secular, non-religious, or spiritual-but-not-religious individual
These experiences are held with care and respect, without assumptions about what your identity should mean or how your life should look.
Experience Working With Gay Men
While I work with LGBTQIA+ adults across identities and experiences, I also bring particular depth in my work with gay men and the mental health concerns that often accompany identity, relationships, and belonging.
Many gay men seek therapy around themes such as anxiety, shame, perfectionism, dating and relationships, intimacy, self-confidence, and navigating life after non-affirming or high-pressure environments. This work is held within the same values of care, respect, and collaboration that guide my work with all LGBTQIA+ clients.
If you’re a gay man looking for more focused information about my approach, you can learn more on the Therapy for Gay Men page.
My Approach to LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy
Therapy at New Heights Counseling is collaborative, individualized, and grounded in evidence-informed care. My approach centers your values, strengths, and lived experiences, with attention to safety, pacing, and emotional regulation.
I work from an affirming framework that recognizes the impact of minority stress, non-affirming environments, and social context on mental health, while also honoring the uniqueness of each person’s story. Therapy is not about fitting you into a model or fixing what’s “wrong,” but about creating space to understand yourself more fully and move toward what feels meaningful and sustainable in your life.
Rather than relying on a single method, I draw from established, research-informed therapeutic approaches as they fit your goals and needs. Sessions may involve reflection, insight-building, emotional processing, or practical skill-building, depending on what feels most supportive at different points in our work.
My role is to offer a thoughtful, respectful space where you can show up as you are, explore what matters to you, and move toward growth and healing at a pace that feels right for you.
Cody Merrell, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Salt Lake City providing affirming, trauma-informed therapy for LGBTQIA+ adults.
Getting Started
We begin with a free 15-minute phone consultation to briefly discuss what you’re looking for and whether my approach may be a good fit. This call is informational and not a therapy session, and it’s an opportunity to ask questions and get a sense of whether working together feels right.
If you decide to move forward, you’ll complete the intake paperwork through the client portal, and we’ll schedule the initial assessment. From there, ongoing therapy is shaped by your goals and clinical needs, with a collaborative plan that supports growth at a pace that feels right for you.
Sessions are typically 50 minutes. In-person sessions are available in Salt Lake City, with telehealth options across Utah.
When You’re Looking for a Different Approach or Focus
Utah is home to many affirming mental health professionals serving the LGBTQIA+ community, each with different therapeutic approaches, specialties, and areas of focus.
If you’re seeking a therapist beyond individual therapy, looking for a different therapeutic approach, or exploring providers with a specific specialty or focus, the LGBTQ+ Guild of Utah can be a helpful resource for finding LGBTQIA+ affirming mental health providers across Utah.
You deserve care and community that support you in ways that feel respectful, affirming, and aligned with your needs.