Courtney Bedford LMHC, LPC, ACS

Hi, I’m Courtney and welcome to Zen Counseling and Consulting Services where peace of mind is a way of life. Are you experiencing distress due to suppressing your sexual and/or gender identity? Are you stuck in a perpetual cycle of depression and anxiety? Are you using drugs and/or alcohol to cope with life’s many stressors? Have scripture or religious beliefs been used to humiliate, manipulate or embarrass you? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone. I’m here to help. I’m an affirming psychotherapist that is committed to helping you find increased life satisfaction and achieve lasting change. I began my journey into the counseling field by obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. I went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Counseling. I have provided psychotherapy to adults, children and adolescents in a variety of settings since 2003. These settings include non-profit agencies, governmental agencies, community mental health, school systems, corporate settings, and private practice. My areas of expertise include: Teletherapy, LGBTQI+ resiliency, sexual/gender identity issues, substance use issues, racial and cultural identity, depression & anxiety, and religious and spiritual abuse. Although I have been trained in several counseling theories, I gravitate towards Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and affirmative therapeutic approach. I believe it is important to challenge negative thinking patterns in order to help you respond in a more effective manner and create lasting change. I also strive to provide affirming therapy to LGBTQ+ individuals, which means I respect and regard all sexualities and genders positively and provide an affirming space for all my clients.