Today we’d like to introduce you to SC Nealy.
Hi SC, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
With over 16 years working in the mental health field, SC Nealy (they/she) has their second Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (first in Forensic Psychology) and is on the Board of Directors at Capital Pride and the Arlington County Community Service Board for the Department of Health. SC was also named the 2024 Humanitarian and Caring Person Award recipient from Virginia Counselors Association, the Arlington County 2025 Women (Person) of Vision Award, 2025 Best LGBT+ Owned Business in Washington DC, and is an NBCC’s Approved Clinical Supervisor. They recently received the 2026 “Key to the County” from Arlington County, VA for their contributions to the LGBT+ citizens in Arlington. With a person-centered, emotion-focused approach aimed at finding solutions, healing trauma, building resilience, improving interpersonal relationships, connecting the mind and body, and working through triggers and past pain, SC wants their clients to feel heard, understood, and valued in the therapeutic space and in their lives.
SC Nealy currently specializes in self-esteem, religious trauma or “church hurt,” sexual trauma and other trauma, complex PTSD, body image issues, resilience building, depression/anxiety, mindfulness, LGBTQIA2S+ issues (especially premarital and queer couples counseling in LGBTQ+ relationships), queer family therapy, discernment/uncoupling counseling, current and former sex workers, couples counseling, mixed orientation relationships (gender transitions or sexual orientation changes), late in life lesbian experiences, religious trauma and spiritual exploration, premarital counseling, & cishet women’s issues.
Personally, SC identifies as gender fluid and queer/lesbian. They are a parent of 3 kiddos living in Arlington, VA and co-parent joyfully with their wife and ex-husband. They also write queer romance novels on the side and work extensively in queer advocacy both politically and locally.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Opening a business was a labor of love that came with many challenges, including learning how to manage folx, how to grow a company, and how to address the challenges queer and trans business owners face in the current climate. Our company has received discrimination, threats, and hate mail regularly for being an LGBT+ organization, and it’s continued to be difficult to navigate.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Aside from owning LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative, I am also a writer with over 35 fiction novels published, and my very first non-fiction book releases this August 20, 2026 called Healing Sacred Wounds: A Guide to Healing from Religious or Spiritual Trauma (https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/healing-sacred-wounds-9798881842529/). I find a lot of peace and joy in writing, sharing my story, and helping others explore their own.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck is always a part of every business story, and I’ve been very lucky to find people and places that have been incredibly supportive in helping me move forward. I think I’d less call it luck, and more call it community. The people you surround yourself with bring you luck (or not).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lgbtcounselingdmv.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scnealy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BooksBySarahRobinson
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahnealy/
