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The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
Since 1969 the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today the Center's more than 600 employees provide services for more LGBT people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services, and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy. Despite our size, scope, and determination to meet the growing demand for our services, we remain a lean, fiscally disciplined organization, earning a four-star Charity Navigator rating for six consecutive years.
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Services Offered
Mental Health
The Los Angeles LGBT Center offers individual, couples, family, and group therapy, as well as psychiatric care. We operate one of the few programs to assist LGBT people involved in domestic and intimate partner abuse and violence. Our programs to combat substance abuse include a renowned outpatient program for those who want to stop or reduce substance use. Our counselors and therapists are highly qualified in many aspects of mental, emotional, and psychological issues facing members of the LGBT community. Our counselors are highly skilled in cultural competency surrounding individuals identifying as LGBT, gender non-conforming, gender queer, gender fluid, and anyone who identifies as part of the LGBT community. Our goal is to meet you where you are in your life and help you flourish.
Some of the issues for which people seek treatment include: - Depression - Anxiety - Relationships - HIV - Substance use - Domestic violence
Addiction Recovery Services
In addition to one-on-one therapy and therapy groups-all facilitated by professional substance abuse counselors in confidential sessions-the Los Angeles LGBT Center is home to a wide variety of 12-step group meetings. We also host a number of drug and alcohol-free events throughout the year.
Anonymous online chat support: Every weekday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. you can chat online, completely anonymously, with a specially trained Center therapist for advice, recommendations, and support.
Individual therapy: The approach of our skilled therapists is to reduce your potential for harm by talking about costs/benefits of use and discussing plans to help you be safer. We will work with you to develop goals to reduce your use and strategies to minimize relapse. Most clients meet with us weekly at the McDonald/Wright building.
Methology: If you're ready to reduce the harm caused by crystal meth, we'll help you develop strategies and goals to reduce-or stop-your use of it. This free program is a mix of five group and individual sessions. Participants meet in a safe, non-judgmental space and all sessions are confidential. A brief entrance interview is required. Meets at McDonald/Wright building.
Evening outpatient program: This is an abstinence-based program that meets three nights a week and is a low-cost, intensive program for people with any substance abuse problem (i.e. alcohol, cannabis, crystal meth, crack, etc.). Meets at McDonald/Wright building.
Recovery Over Crystal Group and Men's Crystal Meth Recovery Group: This is for men who are ready to quit using meth and who are looking for the help they need to do that. Meets at McDonald/Wright building Monday and Wednesdays from 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Youth Drop-in Group: Specifically for people under 25-years-old who want to learn how to reduce the harm caused by their use of meth. This free support group meets weekly at the Youth Center on Highland.
Individual Therapy: One-on-one counseling focusing on substance abuse, costs/benefits of use, harm reduction vs. abstinence, safety planning, relapse prevention, etc.
Intensive Day Outpatient Program: An intensive abstinence based program that meets 5 days a week from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Facilitated by professional substance abuse counselors, this program is designed to help clients with mental health challenges and any substance abuse problems, including alcohol, cannabis, crystal meth, crack, etc. Clients must register to participate. Call 323-993-7448 for more information.
Breaking Free from Substances: Focused on early recovery with an emphasis on harm reduction from all substances with the exception of crystal meth. Clients will examine the role substances play in their lives, learn basic steps to stopping substance abuse, and address major "holes" in their lives that they may be trying to fill with substances.
Pathways to Women's Recovery: A Mindfulness Approach to Sobriety: This is a harm reduction group that focuses on teaching mindful attitudes that help women overcome struggles that arise in recovery and help break self-destructive behaviors that often present as barriers to maintaining sobriety.
Fees and Payment
Treatment is provided on a sliding scale fee and costs are at reduced rates to our clients who are paying for services by determining a 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% or 100% sliding scale fee (based on your income and household size). We also accept Medi-Cal, Medicare, and many insurance plans and can bill many third-party payers. If you have questions regarding if your insurance covers our services please call your insurance plan directly and speak to a member services representative who can assist you.
Services Offered To: Adults
Special Groups: Bilingual LGBTQ
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono
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Qualifying for assistance from California's program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to California's program.
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.
