Professional counselors and therapists in Wasilla, Alaska that specialize in counseling for the LGBTQ+ community.

At Mat-Su Mental Health, we believe that every person deserves to be heard, known, accepted and respected. We value and celebrate our differences as individuals, and strive to create a safe space for all people, including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex or questioning (LGBTQ+).

Those who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community seek out counseling services for the same types of reasons that others do, such as struggles with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem or histories of trauma. However, many LGBTQ+ identified people deal with additional and unique challenges associated with their sexual and/or gender identity, which are frequently further complicated by negative social stigma from society, family and religion. This negative stigma, as well as daily compounding traumas that LGBTQ+ folks are often subjected to, lead to increased rates of mental illness within this community. For example, 40% of transgender individuals have attempted suicide in their lifetime, which is 9 times the national average! At MSMH, we believe this is unacceptable, and are dedicated to creating a space that offers hope and healing for everyone.

It is important to note that while we have counselors at our sister practice that offer specific skills in working with the LGBTQ+ community, all of our clinicians in Wasilla are extremely good at their job. Our professional therapists are comfortable and proficient in dealing with many kinds of mental health concerns, including those experienced by individuals that may identify in a different manner, or have had different life experiences than they have had individually. Any of our clinicians would be honored to walk alongside you in your journey, We do have a clinician at our sister practice in homer that is especially passionate about serving members of the LGBTQ+ community and is available for teletherapy sessions for those living outside Homer.

Meet the team of Professional Counselors experienced with LGBTQ+ specific work.

  • Wasilla Counseling Abigail

    Dr. Abigail Millard - PsyD

    Abegail has been serving clients in the mental health field since 2017, and has experience working with people across the lifespan. She enjoys carrying a diverse caseload, and has worked with an array of clients across a variety of settings. As a 10-year Veteran of the United States Coast Guard, she is especially passionate about providing psychological support to Veterans, and Active Duty personnel. She is thrilled to call Alaska home, while taking advantage of every opportunity for adventure. When not at work, you will find Abegail practicing yoga, paddle boarding, ice fishing, or entertaining friends and family.

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  • Sarah Bannister Wasilla Family Counseling

    Sarah Bannister - LPC

    Sarah is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 22 years of experience working within the mental health field. Though she has served clients in a variety of settings, the last 8 years have been dedicated to offering counseling support to individuals, groups and families in the private practice setting. When not working, Sarah can most often be found outside; hiking in Alaska’s stunning mountains, training for her next long distance run, adventuring with her daughters, or enjoying the quiet of an outdoor space with a cup of coffee and a good book.

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  • Wasilla family Counselor Mary Kuepper

    Mary Kuepper - LPC-S

    Mary has over a decade of experience working in community based mental health. Though she has worked with people across the lifespan, she specializes in work with kids, teens and families, as well as in maternal mental health. Mary is passionate about giving people the tools they need to not only function well, but to thrive in their everyday life. Though not native to Alaska, she has fallen in love with the abundant resources of this beautiful place. When not working with clients, Mary can be found adventuring, hiking and exploring. She loves to fly fish our local creeks, dig in the dirt of her backyard garden, and get in quality time with her friends, and beautiful family.

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What you can expect from LGBTQ+ counseling.

Once you reach out, our MSMH admin guru will be in touch to talk about your particular circumstances, and discuss what brings you into counseling at this time. You will be paired with one of our providers, and an initial session will be scheduled during which both you and your counselor will determine whether or not the therapeutic relationship seems to be a “good fit.” Our counselors at MSMH believe that the therapeutic relationship is the vehicle for growth and change. Without that vital connection, little progress will be made in this process. Providing all parties are motivated to move forward, initial sessions will be spent building rapport and gathering information about your wants, needs and goals for therapy. Your counselor will work with you to identify objectives, explore strategies and utilize resources. The pace and speed of this process is up to you, as the therapeutic time and space is ultimately about you.

Our therapists at MSMH will use complimentary and integrative approaches, offering a combination of traditional Western techniques as well as Eastern interventions. Should you be open to these interventions, possible areas of exploration might included guided imagery, meditation and mindfulness. Additionally, all of our MSMH providers in Wasilla are highly trained. Our practice hosts clinicians practicing with EMDR and Brainspotting techniques, using brain based science to offer education and support in your journey towards change.

How dong does professional counseling typically take?

The length of time an individual is in counseling is situation specific and can vary. However, we at Mat-Su Mental Health are passionate about giving our clients the tools and skills they need to thrive and function well. We will cast a wide net at the onset, looking for all the contributing variables. We will build skills for managing symptoms and explore root causes that may be underlying your distress. We will take as little or as much time as you need, but we will do our very best to get you back about the business of living your life.

Could You Benefit from Professional counseling?

While leaning on the support of friends and family is essential when struggling, it is not always sufficient. Sometimes it can be beneficial to engage in the therapeutic process, and access the support of an unbiased person who’s routing for Team YOU. Therapy can be an incredibly supportive space that allows one to sift through and evaluate where they are, where they want to go and most importantly, how to get there.

At MSMH, we are dedicated to offering a safe and affirming space for members of the LGBTQ+ community to do their therapeutic work. Whether wrestling with the unique challenges of the coming out process, sifting through complex sexual and gender identity questions, or navigating transition, our providers are here to walk alongside and support you on your journey.

Some of the common issues our LGBTQ+ clients address in counseling include:

  • Anxiety

  • Trauma

  • Depression

  • Anger

  • Self-esteem

  • Suicidal thoughts

  • Gender identity and expression

  • Sexual orientation

  • Gender dysphoria

  • Transitioning

  • Challenges associated with coming out

  • Discrimination and bullying

  • Relationship issues

How to schedule a professional counseling session in Wasilla.

Ready to get started? Call or email us today. Our contact info is at the bottom of this page.

Once you reach out, our on-boarding admin will contact you to gather information regarding your specific situation. They will explore with you what provider will likely best meet your needs, and support you in getting set up in our electronic health record.

Mat-Su Mental Health uses Simple Practice, a medical record and portal system that will allow for confidential and HIPAA compliant messaging that ensures your privacy. You will be sent a portal link that directs you to online documentation to be completed prior to your initial session.

This is a great time to ask any questions you might have. After all, where you go for support is your choice, and we want you to feel empowered to assess whether or not we are the right fit for you! Here at Mat-Su Mental Health, our providers believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is essential in the process of creating change. These initial conversations are important in assessing fit, as therapy is not “one size fits all.”

Our MSMH office is conveniently located in Wasilla. Feel free to arrive a few minutes prior to your scheduled session to grab a cup of tea and relax before session begins. We look forward to meeting you, and are honored you have chosen us to do this work alongside you.

 FAQ’s

  • Yes, we bill insurance on behalf of our clients. We also accept self pay clients.

  • We do not offer a sliding scale fee for services. Many community based mental health agencies in our area, such as Denali Family Services and Matsu Health Services, do. We would encourage you to reach out to one of them if you are in need of/ looking for services offered on a sliding scale.

  • We are in network with Premera, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, UMR, TriCare, TriWest and Moda. We bill most other insurances as a courtesy; many of which offer out of network benefits. If you are not insured with one of the above contracted payers, we would encourage you to reach out to your insurance company and find out the specifics regarding your out of network benefits for mental health services in an office setting. More often than not, our clients find out that services are covered, most often after having met their deductible.

  • MSMH has a 24 hour cancellation policy. Though our providers certainly realize that “life happens” and late cancellations are sometimes unavoidable, we do ask that you do your best to notify your provider of a cancellation 24 hours prior to your scheduled session. Doing so allows us to fulfill other clients scheduling needs, and best serve our community.

    This policy is in place out of respect for our providers, AND our clients. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice are difficult to fill. By giving last minute notice, or no notice at all, someone else is prevented from scheduling into that cancelled slot, and a 60 minute hole is left in your providers schedule.

    Please be aware that clients who no call/ no show or cancel last minute will be responsible for the full billable cost of their missed session.

    In an effort to avoid such circumstances, MSMH does offer a courtesy contact, either by text or voicemail, 24 hours prior to your scheduled session. Should you receive this notice and realize you are unable to attend the following days appointment, please communicate that directly with your provider through a phone call, text or email.

  • At MSMH, we do not have a psychiatrist or prescribing physician on staff. Unfortunately, we do not offer any medication management services at our practice. If you think you may benefit from medication, please reach out to your Primary Care Physician, and or a community based mental health agency, as they do have med management providers in house. We are happy to offer therapeutic supports to pair alongside med management services, but we do not do the prescribing.

  • We do not offer court mandated evaluations. If you have been ordered by the court to receive an evaluation, you can likely get this completed at one of the community based mental health agencies in our area.

  • Inform us as soon as possible about any insurance changes. Please bring your new insurance card to your next appointment and any related documents.

  • We offer individual therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, group therapy, and specialized counseling for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

  • Each counseling session typically lasts 50 minutes. We also offer extended sessions upon request.

  • Yes, we provide online counseling through a secure telehealth platform. You can book these sessions just like in-person appointments.

  • Confidentiality is paramount in our sessions. Information is only shared with your consent, except in cases of harm to self or others, as required by law.

  • In emergencies, call 911 or your local emergency number. You can also contact crisis hotlines for immediate assistance.

  • Bring any relevant documents, a list of questions or concerns, and be ready to discuss your goals for therapy. Think about what you want to achieve through counseling.

  • Yes, you can choose your therapist based on their specialties and your preferences. We can also help match you with a therapist who fits your needs.