Lisa Hoang, LMSW
LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapist & Trauma Specialist in Kansas City, MO
You've always felt a little out of place —
like you belong everywhere and nowhere at once.
Maybe you're a second-generation immigrant navigating the gap between your family's world and your own. Maybe you're queer, and you're still figuring out what identity, safety, and belonging really mean for you. Maybe you're carrying trauma that doesn't feel entirely yours — wounds passed down through generations that show up in ways you're only beginning to understand.
You want to feel grounded. You want to feel whole. You want a space where you don't have to explain yourself before you can begin — where your full identity is not just tolerated but genuinely welcomed.
You might be dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, or the kind of pain that doesn't have a clean name. You don't need to have it all figured out before you start.
You're not too much. And you're not alone.
Lisa Hoang is an LMSW and EMDR-trained therapist at gokc Healing Center in Kansas City. She specializes in trauma, intergenerational wounds, LGBTQ+ identity, and the particular weight of living between cultures — offering affirming, evidence-based care for teens and adults throughout the KC metro.
Who Lisa Works With
You might be a great fit if you:
- Identify as LGBTQ+ and want a therapist who is genuinely affirming — not just tolerant
- Are a second-generation immigrant navigating family expectations, cultural identity, and the pressure to belong in multiple worlds
- Are carrying intergenerational or ancestral trauma — pain that was passed down before you had words for it
- Are dealing with trauma or PTSD and ready to process it with a trained, compassionate guide
- Struggle with anxiety or depression that feels connected to identity, belonging, or your history
- Are working through grief — including the grief of things you can't quite name
- Are a teen or young adult exploring who you are and where you fit
- Want support navigating racial identity, family conflict, or relationship issues
- Are on the autism spectrum and looking for a therapist who understands neurodivergent experiences
- Simply want to feel more seen, more grounded, and more like yourself
Lisa works with teens and adults throughout the Kansas City metro — including clients in Brookside, Midtown, Westport, the Plaza, Waldo, Overland Park, and surrounding areas — and via telehealth across Missouri and Kansas. She sees clients Tuesday through Saturday.
Related services at gokcSpecialty Services
Lisa offers focused, personalized support in several interconnected areas. Each service is tailored to your lived experience — not a generic framework applied from the outside in.
LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy in Kansas City
Finding a therapist who truly gets it — not just someone who means well — makes all the difference. Lisa offers genuinely affirming care for queer, trans, nonbinary, and questioning clients navigating identity, relationships, family dynamics, minority stress, and the ongoing work of living authentically. Her practice is a space where you can bring your whole self.
Trauma & PTSD Therapy
Trauma doesn't always look like a single event. It can be a pattern, a silence, a relationship, or something inherited. Lisa is EMDR-trained and trauma-informed, which means she understands how trauma lives in the body and the nervous system — not just the mind. Whether your trauma is recent or rooted in your history, she offers a safe, structured path toward healing at your own pace.
Intergenerational & Cultural Trauma
Some of what we carry wasn't originally ours to carry. Intergenerational trauma — the wounds passed down through families and communities — can shape everything from how we attach to others to how we see ourselves. Lisa has a deep understanding of this kind of pain, particularly for immigrant families and communities of color, and brings both cultural humility and clinical skill to this work.
Identity & Racial Identity Therapy
Navigating identity — especially across cultures, generations, or communities — is its own kind of labor. Lisa creates space for clients to explore racial identity, cultural belonging, and the complexity of living between worlds without having to minimize or explain any part of themselves.
What Therapy with Lisa Looks Like
Lisa's approach is warm, curious, and deeply collaborative. She believes there is no single right way to heal — only what feels right for you. That conviction shapes everything about how she shows up in sessions.
She draws on a rich toolkit of evidence-based methods including EMDR, CBT, DBT, and trauma-focused therapy, woven together with feminist, multicultural, and strength-based frameworks. She is also a PEERS certified provider, with specialized training in social skills and peer relationships — particularly useful for teens and clients on the autism spectrum.
Sessions are collaborative and affirming, centered entirely around your experience, your pace, and your goals. Lisa doesn't impose a framework — she listens, adapts, and meets you exactly where you are.
"There is no true right way, only what feels right for you. You're not too much, and you're not alone. Let's begin your healing together."
— Lisa
Not sure if Lisa is the right fit? Try the gokc Therapist Match Maker — it takes two minutes and connects you with the right person on our team.
Credentials & Background
Lisa Hoang is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) practicing under clinical supervision at gokc Healing Center. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Kansas and is an EMDR-trained, trauma-informed clinician with experience supporting both teens and adults — first as a case manager and now as a therapist.
Lisa's top specialties are LGBTQ+ affirming care, trauma and PTSD, and intergenerational trauma. She brings particular depth to work with second-generation immigrants, queer and trans clients, and anyone navigating the intersection of identity, culture, and mental health.
She is verified by Psychology Today and is part of the gokc team — a Kansas City-based practice rooted in the belief that therapy should be accessible, real, and genuinely helpful. Lisa sees clients in person at gokc's Brookside office Tuesday through Saturday, and via telehealth throughout Missouri and Kansas.
Fees & Payment Options
Lisa sees clients on a private-pay basis and offers a sliding scale for those who may need it. She does not take insurance directly, but can provide a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement through your insurance plan.
Session Fee
$120 per individual session
Sliding scale available — reach out to ask about eligibility.
Payment accepted via HSA, credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover), and cash.
Out-of-Network Insurance
Lisa does not bill insurance directly, but can provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement.
Reach out with any questions — Lisa is happy to work with you to keep therapy affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer LGBTQ+ affirming therapy in Kansas City?
Yes — and it's one of Lisa's core specialties. She offers genuinely affirming care for queer, trans, nonbinary, bisexual, lesbian, and questioning clients. This means your identity is centered and respected in every session — not just accommodated. Lisa also works with clients navigating kink-allied and sex-positive concerns in a non-judgmental space.
What is EMDR and how does it help with trauma?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a highly researched, evidence-based therapy for trauma and PTSD. It helps the brain process stuck or overwhelming memories so they lose their emotional charge. Many clients find it effective when talk therapy alone hasn't fully reached the root of their pain. Lisa is EMDR-trained and integrates it thoughtfully based on each client's needs. Learn more about EMDR therapy at gokc →
What is intergenerational trauma?
Intergenerational trauma refers to the transmission of trauma responses, wounds, and patterns across generations — through parenting, family dynamics, cultural narratives, and even biology. It's especially common in immigrant families, communities impacted by racism or historical violence, and families where trauma went unaddressed. Lisa has specialized training and personal understanding of this kind of pain, and approaches it with both clinical skill and cultural humility.
Do you work with teenagers?
Yes. Lisa works with teens and has experience as both a therapist and a former case manager supporting younger clients. She is also a PEERS certified provider, with specialized training in social skills and peer relationships — particularly helpful for teens navigating social anxiety, neurodivergence, or identity questions.
Do you offer a sliding scale?
Yes. Lisa offers a sliding scale based on financial need. She believes therapy should be accessible, and is happy to discuss options during a free consultation. Reach out to learn more.
Do you offer telehealth therapy in Missouri and Kansas?
Yes. Lisa offers online therapy sessions for clients throughout Missouri and Kansas. Telehealth is a great option for busy schedules, clients outside the Kansas City metro, or anyone who prefers the comfort of meeting from home.
How do I know if Lisa is the right therapist for me?
The best first step is a free 15-minute consultation — a low-pressure conversation to see if it feels like a good fit. You can also try the gokc Therapist Match Maker to explore the full team. There's no commitment required.
Ready to Begin Your Healing?
You don't have to have it all figured out before you start. Reach out in whatever way feels most comfortable — call, text, or book online. No pressure, no commitment.
Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation →Meet the full gokc therapy team — or use our Therapist Match Maker to find the right fit.
You can be you again
There is NO quick fix or Therapy Magic. Only support, care, and specialized ways for you to make meaningful change. We will help you believe in yourself again!