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(310) 339-5778

Therapy for Gay Men Who Want More Than Insight — They Want Real Change

Most men who contact me are not looking for years of therapy. They’re looking for clarity, relief, and traction — and that’s where I start. Many gay men reach a point where life looks fine from the outside — but inside, something feels strained, restless, or quietly unsatisfying.

You may be successful, capable, and outwardly high-functioning, yet still feel anxious, disconnected, burned out on dating, uncertain about intimacy, or uneasy about what comes next. If insight alone had solved this, you wouldn’t still feel stuck. I work with gay men, couples, and polycules who want thoughtful, experienced help — not surface-level therapy, not trend-driven advice, and not another round of explaining themselves to someone who doesn’t truly understand gay male life.

Ken Howard, LCSW, CST - Specialist in Therapy for Gay Men - 34 Years- AASECT Certified Sex Therapist Telehealth throughout California (based in Los Angeles / West Hollywood) - Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation: 310-339-5778

Schedule A Free Consultation

Gay Men’s Specialist Therapist
– Telehealth Across California
30+ Years Experience |
AASECT Certified Sex Therapist
Free 15-Minute Consultation –
Call/Text 310-339-5778 or
Email Ken@GayTherapyLA.com

What are you trying to achieve in your life?
What challenges are you facing where you want help?

You’re Not Broken — You’ve Outgrown Old Patterns

Many of the strategies gay men use to survive earlier stages of life were once adaptive:
• Being hyper-independent
• Using charm, humor, or sexual confidence to connect
• Staying busy, productive, or successful to feel safe

Over time, those same strategies can start to feel limiting — especially as relationships, sexuality, health, aging, or meaning become more important.

Therapy at this stage of life isn’t about fixing what’s wrong.
It’s about understanding what no longer fits — and deciding what comes next.

Meet Ken Howard LCSW, CST, a gay men's specialist therapist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist in West Hollywood/Los Angeles

“I’ve specialized almost exclusively in working with gay men for over 30 years, across multiple generations and life stages.”

An LGBT-affirmative therapist, and more specifically, a gay men’s specialist therapist, is equipped to help you in ways that are deeper, more nuanced, and ultimately more effective than even the most well-meaning straight therapist can. 

There are cultural issues, socio-political dynamics, historical context, men’s psychology considerations, terminology, academic knowledge, clinical insights, and other details of “cultural competency” to work specifically with gay men that I offer, that only decades of clinical experience, writing, research, and personal perspective living with and among the LGBT community can provide.

  • Appointments available. Telehealth throughout California. Most clients are able to begin within a short time frame (310-339-5778; Ken@GayTherapyLA.com)
  • Experienced with complex and nuanced situations — including cases that benefit from depth, judgment, and long-term clinical perspective.
  • Extra training credential and expertise in all Psychiatric Disorders - Depression, Anxiety, OCD, ADHD, Bipolar, and Personality Disorders
  • AASECT Certified Sex Therapist - A national credential and 18-month supervised program. (Most therapists do not have sex therapy training, even "couples therapists" or "Marriage and Family Therapists.")
  • Retired graduate school professor and Clinical Supervisor

Therapy Services

Get the help you need and deserve.

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Individual Therapy

I provide LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy in general and affirmative therapy for gay men in particular.
I am proud to say that with over 31 years of experience, I am the most experienced gay men’s specialist therapist in the United States, and I serve gay men who are local to Los Angeles, West Hollywood, or Southern California, as well as guys all over California.
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Couples Therapy

Some of the most common issues I help gay male couples with include lack of sex, distance, and money issues.
Through couples therapy, I help gay male couples identify and evaluate their options for meaningful and sustained behavioral change that increases relationship satisfaction.
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Sex Therapy for Gay Men

I am a nationally Certified Sex Therapist by AASECT, one of the very few specialists in gay male couples with this two-year training credential.
I am proud to provide these much-needed services, as over 70 percent of even licensed psychotherapists in the U.S. receive no training in sexology.
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Financial advisor consulting

Case Consultation for Therapists on LGBT Issues

My colleagues nationwide often need help with their LGBT+ clients.
I provide case consultation and clinical supervision for culturally-competent, LGBT+ affirmative psychotherapy practice to my colleagues worldwide.
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Consulting for LGBTQ+ Issues in Media

Living in Los Angeles, I provide professional consultation to writers and producers of television shows and movies to accurately and affirmatively depict LGBT+ characters and situations.
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Public Speaking & Workshops

I offer public speaking, workshops, conference keynote addresses, and breakout talks locally, nationally, and globally on LGBT+, HIV/AIDS, and Diversity/Equity/Inclusion.
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See What My Clients Have To Say
Ken is a consummate professional, combining the best in common sense, practical business coaching, and a solid grounding in evidence-based psychotherapy. There are few of his ilk. I have become a better and more secure manager of my own life with his help. I recommend him to friends, particularly gay professionals who seek improved personal and interpersonal skills and business acumen. Ken wears both hats with considerable skill and warmth.
K.E., gay male corporate CEO
“Ken Howard is more than a therapist and more than a coach: he’s a consummate, caring professional who has helped me and my business through challenging personal and economic times.”
Ken E., GWM CE0, 52
“Ken is bright and motivated, and a real professional. He has build a great reputation and practice through community involvement and smart marketing, but most of all through the high quality of service that he provides.”
Stephan Roth, Principal, Stephan A. Roth Strategic Communications
“I’ve worked with Ken Howard, LCSW, in the HIV community in Los Angeles. He’s one of the most astute therapists I know here in L.A. in regard to the lives of gay men and people with HIV.”
Tony Valenzuela, Writer, community organizer
“I came to Ken because I had suddenly and unexpectedly lost my partner, John, to a massive heart attack. John had been my soulmate and the great love of my life. My grief was overwhelming and really was stopping me from living a life. Ken worked with me to find ways to both deal with my grief and to honor my late partner as well. He is very pragmatic and made some amazing statements to me that made everything crystal clear. Ken helped me in small steps to regain control of my life.”
CD, 51, GWM
“A Therapist for Everybody, Plus: Ken is a well-trained, caring, and smart therapist with a practice serving mostly professional gay men. He has provided solid, goal-centered psychotherapy (he’d call it cognitive or something, I suppose) – and is not afraid to include some business coaching in the mix. I’d recommend Ken to anyone wrestling with personal, psychological issues and the stress of running a business. This guy is good at what he does; he’s not cheap by any means, but what good shrink is? Like a lot of people, I had to shop around. I’m sticking with Ken.”
Guerogrino
“Ken has participated as a panelist at a number of City of West Hollywood events including a community forum addressing issues around Crystal Methamphetamine the annual Gay Men’s Forum. The City has been fortunate to have Ken take part at these events as he brings a great amount of expertise to the table as a therapist and coach. He is a pleasure to work with, is always very professional and is highly respected in the community.”
Corey Roskin, Social Services Specialist, City of West Hollywood
“Ken is a consummate professional who takes great pride in what he does. He is an expert in his field who, through his writings and seminars, has helped people with a wide variety of issues pertaining to life enrichment and achieving self actualization. He stays abreast of the latest industry topics and uses the tools of his trade with master precision.”
Carey A.
“I have worked with Ken for many years and find his work to be the utmost in professionalism and compassion. His work within the Los Angeles community, especially that of the LGBT community, is the hallmark of dedication. While working with Ken on many community panels, including the Los Angeles County HIV Mental Health Task Force, he has always provided a intelligence, empathy, and commitment to colleagues and clients alike. I would highly recommend him as a therapist, or in any professional endeavors.”
Jonathan Lynch, MFT
“If you are looking for a smart, intuitive, level-headed and kind therapist, then you have struck gold with Ken Howard. In a relaxed way, he gets to the heart of the matter and helps people live extraordinary lives. Whether it is a relationship that is struggling or a work or home difficulty, Ken can help you see through the fog and get to a place where you are happier and healthier. Be glad you found him.”
Casey Truffo , CEO & Founder, Therapist Leadership Institute

Get the help you need and deserve.

See how I can help. Text (310) 339-5778 to schedule a no-charge, 15-minute phone consultation, or click on button below to complete contact form. 

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