LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapist in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Polari Psychotherapy offers LGBTQ+-affirming, trauma-informed therapy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Nicholas J. Makris, MS, LMHC (FL License #MH27478) provides depth-oriented individual and couples therapy for gay men, trans and gender-diverse adults, CNM and kink-affirming clients, and LGBTQ+ adults navigating high-functioning depression, complex trauma, and late coming out. In-person sessions are available at 805 E Broward Blvd #301, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Telehealth available statewide.
Why Fort Lauderdale LGBTQ+ adults seek therapy at Polari Psychotherapy
Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors form one of the most concentrated LGBTQ+ communities in Florida — and one of the most visible in the country. For all that visibility, the mental health needs of LGBTQ+ adults in South Florida often go underserved. Having community around you doesn't automatically translate into feeling connected, and having access to providers doesn't mean those providers are genuinely affirming in practice.
Polari Psychotherapy was built specifically for this community — not as a general practice that added LGBTQ+ as a checkbox, but as a practice designed from the beginning around the clinical and lived experience of LGBTQ+ adults in South Florida.
What LGBTQ+ therapy in Fort Lauderdale looks like at this practice
This is not a practice where you spend your first session explaining your identity before the real work can begin. It is not a practice where your relationship structure is treated as a presenting problem. It is a practice where the work is depth-oriented, individualized, and grounded in more than a decade of clinical focus on LGBTQ+ experience.
Common presenting concerns include: loneliness and disconnection inside community, high-functioning depression, gender identity navigation, complex trauma, coming out later in life, anxiety and hypervigilance tied to minority stress, and relationship challenges across all structures. Gender-affirming assessment letters are available without gatekeeping.
In-person therapy in Fort Lauderdale and telehealth across Florida
In-person sessions are available at the Fort Lauderdale office at 805 E Broward Blvd #301, serving clients in Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, and surrounding Broward County. Telehealth is available statewide across Florida for clients who prefer remote sessions or who are located outside South Florida. Early morning, evening, and weekend appointments are available.
Insurance is accepted through Headway: Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, Carelon, and Quest. Private pay is $150 per session. Sliding scale available.
Frequently asked questions about LGBTQ+ therapy in Fort Lauderdale
Is there an LGBTQ+-affirming therapist in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
Yes. Nicholas Makris, MS, LMHC is an LGBTQ+-affirming therapist in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with specialized training in LGBTQ+ mental health, gender-affirming care, and affirming assessment practices. In-person at 805 E Broward Blvd, Suite 301, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Telehealth statewide.
Does Polari Psychotherapy offer in-person therapy in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. In-person individual and couples therapy is available at 805 E Broward Blvd, Suite 301, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Early morning, evening, and weekend appointments are available.
Does Polari Psychotherapy accept insurance in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes, through Headway — Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, Carelon, and Quest. Private pay is $150 per session with sliding scale available.
Let’s connect.
If you're in Fort Lauderdale or Broward County and looking for LGBTQ+-affirming therapy, I'd welcome the chance to talk. I offer a free 15-minute consultation — no commitment required.