LGBT therapists in Stafford, VA

Life can feel incredibly heavy when the past refuses to stay in the past. If you’re tired of "just getting by," feeling constantly on edge, or noticing that old history is intruding on your present, I want you to know something important: healing does not have to be a retraumatizing experience.

I specialize in helping adults navigate unresolved trauma through a lens of total safety, pacing, and respect. You deserve a space where you can finally let your guard down, drop the heavy armor, and reclaim your story. Whenever you’re ready to transition from surviving to truly living, I am here to walk that path with you.

Hello! My name is Chelsea Vicario. I received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Counseling from Radford University. The meaning of healing and growth looks different for everyone. I am here to help guide you to being your best self and to help you figure out what your healing and growth journey will look like. I have a passion for helping people reach their full potential.

I have experience working with people with dual diagnosis. I am a CSAC. I also have experience in private practice working with individuals and couples struggling with anxiety, depression, bipolar, self-esteem issues and relationships concerns. I am a strong ally for the LGBTQ+ community and truly enjoy working with this population. I truly believe that healthy boundaries, healthy coping skills and a positive mindset can change a person’s life for the better.

I use a mix of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person Centered Therapy and a solution focused approach to help you reach your specific goals and start your path to healing. I know it can be difficult to start therapy, but I will provide an environment to help you feel comfortable as you start the therapeutic process.

When life gives you lemons...

My education gave me the tools to be a skilled clinician. But it was my own trauma that gave me the insight and depth I bring to this work. I know what it feels like to live in a body that doesn’t feel safe—to question everything, including yourself. I spent over a decade learning how to heal, reclaim my voice, and become the kind of guide I once needed.

In the midst of that long journey, I had a quiet moment of clarity: what I was going through wasn’t just about survival—it was about becoming someone who could walk with others through the dark. That experience grounds my work in both knowledge and deep compassion.

Learning to love the desert

I’ve come to believe that being lost isn’t a problem—it’s part of the path. Like La Loba, the mythical bone-gatherer who wanders the desert collecting what’s been buried and brings it back to life, I help others gather what they’ve lost along the way. That process is sacred, slow, and often surprising—but it’s how we come home to ourselves.

There are parts of you that haven’t died; they’ve just been waiting. And sometimes, when it all falls apart, that’s when the wild, wise parts of you rise again.

Hi there, welcome! I strive to offer a safe space where you can begin or continue your therapeutic journey. A nonjudgmental space where you can freely process, express, vent, and just be. Taking an individualized approach to include exploring thoughts/feelings/behaviors, challenging negative core beliefs, and developing more adaptive coping skills.

I’ve been working in the mental health field for nearly a decade and bring a deep commitment to helping individuals heal, grow, and thrive. I hold a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Washington, DC and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Marshall University in Huntington, WV. These academic foundations, combined with years of hands-on experience, have shaped my compassionate, informed, and client-centered approach to therapy.

Most recently I was serving as a Licensed Clinical Therapist where I provided individual and group therapy in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for adults facing complex mental health and substance use challenges. I am currently working at a small group practice treating adults with stress, anxiety, depression, ptsd, and more. I hold sessions on the weekend and in the morning one a week.

At the heart of my practice is a belief in the power of authentic connection. I strive to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where clients feel empowered to explore difficult emotions, build insight, and take meaningful steps toward lasting change.

Hi! As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and proud LGBTQ+ ally, I have extensive experience helping people navigate anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, trauma, and more. I have a special place in my practice for those dealing with depression or trauma rooted in relationships or family, because those experiences deserve thoughtful, dedicated care.

Your mental health journey matters to me, and I'm here to truly listen, not just to what you're saying, but to what you need. Together, we'll work toward solutions that are both compassionate and effective.

I work with individuals, couples, and families of all ages. I have a Masters in Clinical Health Psychology and a Masters in Nutrition/Dietetics, which helps lend to a holistic approach to my work with clients. I commonly work with health behavioral change, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, ADHD, OCD, and relationship change. My treatment approach utilizes a biopsychosocial lense in long-term therapy based in psychodynamic, strengths-based, and integrative work in overall health. I utilize coping skills from CBT, DBT, ACT, and Mindfulness. I incorporated life-skills such a assertiveness, boundaries, and career.

I love the work that I do and the healing relationships I have been able to foster with my clients. I believe that therapy is a form of self-care and I want to be an advocate of that for my clients. I welcome anyone who thinks they may want some support, whether long-term or short-term to reach out to me and set up a brief phone consultation.

I listen intuitively — 100% judgment free, with unconditional support. In our work together you'll increase confidence and manage stress more effectively.

We'll uncover the root of what's troubling you, explore new perspectives, and shift into healthier thought patterns.

This is done by integrating evidence based and mind-body approaches, which tends to bring clients RELIEF and CLARITY.