PERSAD CENTER is a human service organization whose mission is to improve the well-being of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning) communities, and the HIV/AIDS communities. We serve our target populations and their loved ones, cradle to grave, across western Pennsylvania, with service centers in Pittsburgh and Washington, PA.
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Services Offered
Counseling
Founded in 1972, PERSAD is the nation's second oldest licensed counseling center serving the LGBTQ community and people living with HIV. PERSAD was founded at a time when the mental health community response to someone who identified as LGBTQ was to try to change them and correct them as if it were the problem. PERSAD was created as an affirming counseling center to help LGBTQ people cope with the social discrimination they experienced and to receive professional counseling services without prejudice about their identity.
In the early 1980's PERSAD added serving the HIV/AIDS communities to our mission because of the devastating impact that HIV had on the gay population of that time. PERSAD continues to serve the HIV+ individual regardless of their sexual or gender orientation.
Our counseling and mental health Services Offered: - individual, family, and couples counseling - group therapy - support and educational groups - psychiatric evaluation and medication management
Other services also include: - Foster Care - Youth Programs - HIV/AIDS - Intimate Partner Abuse Program - Older Adult Services - Substance Abuse Treatment - Transgender Services
Fees and Payment
Is a non-profit agency Most commercial insurance is accepted.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Special Groups: LGBTQ
Payment: Sliding Scale Medicare Medicaid
If You Call, Please Let Us Know How it Went:
Were You Able to Make an Appointment?
One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
Qualifying for assistance from Pennsylvania's program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to Pennsylvania'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.