LGBTQ+ Affirming OCD Therapists in Minnesota (2026)

OLEE Index · Updated November 2026

21 OCD specialists in Minnesota describe themselves as LGBTQ+ affirming. That matters for OCD especially: themes like sexual orientation OCD or gender-related intrusive thoughts need a clinician who can treat the OCD without questioning or "settling" your identity. Here are the highest-ranked LGBTQ+ affirming OCD therapists in Minnesota.

21
OCD providers scored
2
score 80 or higher
17
offer telehealth
6
accepting new patients

Top 20 OCD specialists, ranked by OLEE score

Scores are out of 100 and based only on public evidence of OCD expertise: how clearly a provider describes exposure and response prevention (ERP), how central OCD is to their practice, specialized training and affiliations, and credentials. No one pays to be listed or ranked. How we score.

  1. #1

    Tracy Lewis

    MSW, LICSW · Minneapolis, MN

    Together Anxiety and OCD Treatment

    90/ 100
    Accepting new patientsLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Specialized OCD training or affiliations
  2. #2

    Erin Venker

    MA, LPC · St Paul, MN

    OCD & Anxiety Center of Minnesota

    86/ 100
    Accepting new patientsLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Specialized OCD training or affiliations
  3. #3

    Beth Klein

    MS, LMFT · St Paul, MN

    Firefly Counseling MN

    74/ 100
    TelehealthAccepting new patientsLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
  4. #4

    Haley Petersen

    MA, LPCC (pre-licensed) · St Paul, MN

    OCD & Anxiety Center of Minnesota

    73/ 100
    Accepting new patientsLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory
  5. #5

    Erin Lawton

    PhD, LP · Woodbury, MN

    67/ 100
    TelehealthLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory
  6. #6

    Casandra (Casi) C. Leighton

    MA, LMFT · Chaska, MN

    65/ 100
    TelehealthLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory
  7. #7

    Jesse Kardong

    MA, LMFT · White Bear Lake, MN

    65/ 100
    TelehealthLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory
  8. #8

    Simon Benarroch

    Therapist · Minneapolis, MN

    Catalyst Mental Health

    64/ 100
    Accepting new patientsLGBTQ+ affirming
  9. #9

    Margaret Peltier

    MA, LPCC · Minneapolis, MN

    59/ 100
    TelehealthLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory
  10. #10

    Maggie Duret

    LPCC · St Paul, MN

    58/ 100
    TelehealthLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory
  11. #11

    Carly Kabitz

    LICSW · Roseville, MN

    58/ 100
    TelehealthLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory
  12. #12

    Dan Barron

    PsyD · St Paul, MN

    57/ 100
    TelehealthLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory
  13. #13

    Adrienne VanZomeren

    PhD · Bloomington, MN

    56/ 100
    TelehealthLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory
  14. #14

    Claire Voeks

    MSW, LICSW · Bloomington, MN

    56/ 100
    TelehealthLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory
  15. #15

    Michelle M. Young

    MS, LPC (WI), LPCC (MN) · St Paul, MN

    53/ 100
    TelehealthLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory
  16. #16

    Kristen Stevens

    PsyD, LP · Chanhassen, MN

    53/ 100
    TelehealthLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory
  17. #17

    Barbara J. Benson

    LPC · Minnetonka, MN

    52/ 100
    TelehealthLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory
  18. #18

    Jayme Kolbo

    LPCC · St Paul, MN

    51/ 100
    TelehealthLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory
  19. #19

    Shana Link

    LPCC · Stillwater, MN

    50/ 100
    TelehealthLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory
  20. #20

    Batsheva Halpert

    Licensed Therapist, MSW · MN

    NOCD / TreatMyOCD

    48/ 100
    TelehealthAccepting new patientsLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
See all 21 with more filters →

More ways to find OCD help in Minnesota

All OCD therapists in Minnesota86Telehealth (online therapy)55Accepting new patients18

OCD therapists by city in Minnesota

Minneapolis–St. Paul56

Find the right specialist

How to find a qualified OCD specialist on OLEE

Most therapists who list OCD were never trained in the treatment that works. Here’s how to find one who was.

  1. Search your state, sorted by score

    Open OLEE search, choose your state and sort by score. We scored more than 5,000 OCD providers on publicly verifiable evidence of OCD expertise. No one pays to be listed or ranked.
  2. Narrow it to what you need

    Filter for telehealth, your insurance, accepting new patients or Spanish-speaking providers.
  3. Check “What we verified” on each profile

    Every profile shows the evidence behind the score. Look for: A clear description of how they use exposure and response prevention (ERP); specialized OCD training such as the IOCDF’s Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI); and an International OCD Foundation listing.
  4. Ask before you book

    “Do you use exposure and response prevention, and where were you trained in it?” and “How many of your current clients have OCD?” A real specialist answers clearly and specifically.
Search OCD specialists

FAQ

Who are the best LGBTQ+ affirming OCD therapists in Minnesota?

Based on the OLEE Index, the highest-scoring OCD specialists in Minnesota who describe themselves as LGBTQ+ affirming are Tracy Lewis (90/100), Erin Venker (86/100) and Beth Klein (74/100).

Why does an LGBTQ+ affirming OCD therapist matter?

People in the LGBTQ+ community deserve care that doesn’t pathologize their identity. For OCD themes involving sexual orientation or gender, an affirming specialist treats the doubt and compulsions with ERP rather than trying to resolve the question itself.

Can OCD make me doubt my sexual orientation?

Yes. Sexual orientation OCD causes unwanted, distressing doubts about orientation and compulsive checking for certainty. It is treatable with ERP. See our guide to sexual OCD for more.

What should I look for in an OCD therapist?

Look for someone who specifically uses exposure and response prevention (ERP) and for whom OCD is a large part of their caseload. Specialized training such as the IOCDF Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) is a strong signal. Ask how many of their current clients have OCD.

OLEE scores measure publicly verifiable signals of OCD expertise, not treatment outcomes. Always confirm licensure, availability and fit directly with a provider. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (US).