Will Dempsey, LICSW
Founder
(he/him)

Will Dempsey is the founder of Heads Held High Counseling. He started this practice with a simple goal: to help people. Over time, he realized how often the healthcare system gets in the way of that. Insurances don’t pay providers enough to make a livable wage, but charging what’s fair for therapists can make care unaffordable for clients. It’s a broken system, and he wanted to do something about it.

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That’s why he expanded into a group practice. By bringing together a talented team, we’re able to push for higher insurance rates while still providing care that’s accessible—especially for marginalized communities that are often priced out of mental health services. Our team also specializes in culturally competent care. As members of the queer community ourselves, we have a deeper understanding of what it means to live as a queer person and the unique challenges that come with it.

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While he's no longer seeing clients directly, he pours his heart into running this team because he believes in our mission. We strive to meet you where you’re at and guide you toward reaching your goals—whatever they may be. Having been in therapy himself for over 10 years, he understands how frustrating it can be to navigate insurance and mental health care. That perspective drives me to reduce as many barriers to care as possible.

 

Outside of work, he's a drag performer — a passion that reflects his values as a social worker. Both drag and social work are about fighting for social and political justice, and they inspire him to keep showing up for the communities he cares about.