About the Founders of Larchmere Center for Well-Being
Larchmere Center for Well-Being (LCW) is an affirming, trauma-informed group therapy practice located in the Larchmere neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. We provide inclusive mental health services to individuals and couples across Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, University Heights, Beachwood, and the greater Cleveland area.
Founded by Ben and Luis, LCW was built with a clear purpose: to create a private therapy practice where historically marginalized individuals feel seen, safe, and represented.
Our Story: Why We Built an Inclusive Therapy Practice in Cleveland
Cleveland is home to many talented therapists. We are grateful to be part of such a skilled clinical community. However, when LCW was founded, we recognized something missing in the private practice landscape.
There were community-based organizations supporting the needs of LGBTQ+ and other marginalized folks. As well as important advocacy efforts happening across the city. However, there wasn’t a private practice intentionally centered on LGBTQ+ adults and marginalized communities on the Eastside of Cleveland.
We wanted to build something different:
A trauma-informed therapy practice
An affirming and inclusive private practice
A space that feels warm, not clinical
A practice that accepts Medicaid to improve accessibility
Access to high-quality therapy should not depend on personal connections or financial privilege. Our mission has always included reducing barriers to affirming mental health care. In addition to accessibility and affirmation, we are deeply committed to offering cutting-edge trauma treatment to our community. LCW provides EMDR and emerging approaches such as Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), allowing clients access to advanced, neuroscience-informed therapies that support healing at the level of the nervous system not just through talk alone.
Meet the Founders
Ben – Founder
Ben founded LCW with a deep understanding of what it means to seek belonging. As an LGBTQ-identifying clinician who experienced bullying and early feelings of being “othered,” he is committed to creating spaces where individuals feel safe and understood.
Early in his career, Ben worked with adolescents to increase emotional intelligence and empathy in school communities. His clinical training emphasized the importance of self-care, clinical community, and attuned relationships in the healing process.
At LCW, Ben serves as the visionary. He thinks expansively about what therapy spaces can become and prioritizes equity, clinician well-being, and relational warmth in leadership.
To learn more about Ben, please visit his therapist page.
Luis -Co Founder
Luis brings structure, systems leadership, and trauma-informed depth to LCW.
As a trauma therapist and social worker, he approaches care through an attachment, trauma-informed, and neurodivergent-affirming lens. As a Latino queer man who is also an immigrant and recipient of mental health services himself, Luis understands firsthand the importance of culturally responsive and inclusive care.
He translates vision into sustainable systems, ensuring that operations, hiring practices, supervision, and policies reflect the values of equity, empathy, and affirmation.
To learn more about Luis, please visit his therapist page.
Our Mission & Vision
Our mission is to provide affirming, trauma-informed, and evidence-based mental health care rooted in emotional safety, equity, and meaningful human connection. We believe therapy should feel collaborative and supportive while still allowing space for growth and change. It should never feel punitive, forced, or dehumanizing.
We are especially committed to serving LGBTQ+ adults, neurodivergent individuals, and people navigating trauma, attachment wounds, or experiences of marginalization in traditional mental health spaces.
Our vision is to cultivate a therapy practice where clients feel welcomed and represented from their very first interaction, and where therapists are supported in sustainable, ethical clinical work. We believe that equitable hiring practices, thoughtful policies, and visible representation within our team are essential to creating truly inclusive care.
We also recognize that clinicians who are overextended cannot provide effective therapy. That is why we prioritize sustainable caseloads, ongoing supervision, consultation, and collaboration. By supporting the well-being and growth of our therapists, we strengthen the quality of care our clients receive.
A Therapy Space Designed for Nervous System Safety
Environment matters in trauma-informed therapy. LCW is housed in a traditional home in Cleveland's Larchmere neighborhood. We intentionally designed the space to feel warm and welcoming rather than sterile or clinical.
Our space includes:
Warm, grounding colors
Soft textures and thoughtful lighting
Artwork throughout the space
Plants and natural elements
We believe that nervous systems respond to environment. A space that feels calm and aesthetically intentional supports deeper emotional work.
We want clients to feel like they are visiting a safe haven - not entering a hospital or clinic.
Our hope is that every client leaves feeling restored, grounded, or at least hopeful.
Looking for Affirming Therapy in Cleveland?
If you are seeking LGBTQ+-affirming, trauma-informed therapy in Cleveland, Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, University Heights, or Beachwood, we invite you to explore our team and connect with us.
At Larchmere Center for Well-Being, you don’t have to navigate healing alone.