Colors + Counseling X The Simple Emotions

20% of each sale is donated to Colors Plus Counseling!

My spouse and I are both licensed professional clinical counselors. While working at the same community mental health agency, we noticed that LGBTQ+ clients were being disproportionately referred to us, often because other therapists were unwilling or untrained to work with them. We were passionate about creating a space where no one would be denied care because of who they are. Our experience drove us to start our own private practice rooted in inclusion, respect, and cultural competence.
Becoming entrepreneurs wasn’t our original plan, but it quickly became a necessity. We wanted to take ownership of the kind of care we provided to build a practice that truly serves the community. At first, it was just the two of us. As word spread, our client base and team grew, and we built a model that prioritizes access, affordability, and representation.
We now offer both in-person and virtual services across Ohio, provide pro bono and sliding scale therapy, and collaborate with local organizations to extend our reach. Every staff member completes annual training in cultural competency across diverse identities.
Entrepreneurship gave us the freedom to design a business that centers equity, healing, and human dignity. We do this work not just to run a successful practice, but to lift our community and the field of mental health toward something better. This is more than a business, it’s a movement to reimagine care for communities that have long been underserved.
Colors+ Counseling is a private practice committed to serving the underserved. Our mission is to provide a range of mental health and wellness services, resources, and education with a focus on cultural competence. We are committed to using our lived experiences to offer a deeper understanding and support to our clients, particularly in navigating minority stress. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our practice and essential to delivering the highest quality of care. We help people of all ages, orientations, abilities and identities meet the goals that they have set to succeed in life—whether young or old, LGBTQ+ or not, and from all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
We treat adults, children/teens, seniors, families, couples/poly using talk therapy, art therapy, music therapy, CBT/DBT, EMDR, group therapy, and wellness services like reiki, and sound healing. Our team of licensed professionals offer supervision services and CEU eligible mental health and cultural competency trainings.

We have had some challenges along the road. A large majority of the people that we serve are part of a minority community, intersectional minority community, or a loved one of a minority. It has been challenging at times to serve the minority community fully with recent legislation and discrimination, but it only highlights the great importance of continuing to serve and support the greater community with quality mental health support.

In just seven years, we’ve grown from two founders to a team of 18 professionals who are deeply aligned and committed to our mission of providing inclusive, culturally competent mental health care across Ohio (and hopefully with the pass of the Counseling compact across the country). 
What makes this team so exceptional isn’t just their clinical skill, it’s their heart. Our staff consistently goes beyond their counseling roles to participate in community outreach, offer mental health resources at public events, and connect clients to both local and national support networks. They actively pursue ongoing learning, prioritize self-care to sustain their work, and embody our values of equity, compassion, and access.
We’re especially proud that our practice isn’t just a place for therapy, it’s a safe, affirming space where people can show up as their full selves and feel seen, supported, and empowered. Our team makes that possible every day.
We have the lived experience which allows us to understand minority stress in ways that others cannot. Cultural competency trainings are required for all staff. This encompasses minorities of sex, race, age, education, socioeconomic status, geography, sexual orientation, gender identity, spirituality, ethnicity, ability, and linguistic characteristics.
Colors Counseling uses SimplePractice, a safe, secure and HIPAA compliant platform for all telehealth appointments. This service is available to anyone in the state of Ohio. In person appointments are also available. The choice is yours.

To us, this isn’t just business growth, it’s community shaping. We’ve built something rare: a values-driven practice where making a difference matters more than making a profit. And knowing that our staff lives that mission both in and outside the therapy room is, without question, our greatest accomplishment so far. Find our more at colorscounseling.org