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Seattle Counseling Service 

Description

SCS was founded in 1969 as a grassroots, volunteer-driven "help" line and drop in center. As the first agency of its kind dedicated specifically to the needs of the LGBT communities, SCS has pioneered service by and for our community. Today we offer high-quality professional services that are responsive to community needs, geared towards the mental health and well being of the community. We also offer consultation and education services, as well as an intensive masters level internship program.

Mission Statement
Seattle Counseling Service (SCS) is a community resource that advocates, educates and serves to advance the social well being and mental health of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender communities.
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Seattle Counseling Service
1216 Pine St. 
Seattle 
WA
98101 
(206) 323-1768 

Ann McGettigan 
Executive Director 

Programs

Seattle Counseling Service Programs

SCS offers comprehensive mental health care and addiction services focusing in the following areas:                

Mental Health Counseling
SCS provides an array of mental health services for members of the LGBT communities and their significant others. We help individuals and families with everything from single episode to mild to severe persistent mental illness. Treatment is tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual, drawing from a variety of treatment approaches with the option of on-site psychiatric medication management when applicable.             

Addiction Services
SCS offers a complete chemical dependency outpatient treatment program. We can help you recover from your addiction to alcohol or drugs in an atmosphere free from homophobia, prejudice, fear, ignorance and heterosexism. We believe that in order to get the best treatment for chemical dependency, you must have a space in which you feel safe enough to be completely honest and secure in not being judged for your sexuality and gender expression.                

Project NEON (Needle Exchange and Sex Education Outreach Network)
Project NEON is a harm-reduction program for gay and bi male users of crystal methamphetamine, both active users and in recovery. This program strives to raise awareness about the links between crystal meth and health concerns, provide options for reducing the risks of use, and for managing or stopping use.

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

We have recently added a new position for a HIV and Hepatitis C specialist in order to increase outreach and services for community members with HIV/Hep C.

We are currently in need of additional financial support as we work to upgrade our office to electronic health records.

Evaluation


Primary agency in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community to meet the mental health and chemical dependency issues facing the community.

In 2009 SCS saw an increase in the number of clients they were serving and served 750 new clients. The current economic environment is affecting peoples’ mental health and more people are requesting financial support to access services.

SCS offers a Masters level internship and provides the intern with the knowledge of how mental health agencies work, and exposes them to mentors in all areas of mental health specific to the LGBT community. Students typically come from Seattle University, University of Washington, and Antioch University.

SCS has worked in partnership with King County Department of Public Health in an effort to reduce and end the use of crystal methamphetamine. Project Neon, began in 1994 and was the first program in the nation. Project Neon serves men. Last year King County provided funding for SCS to expand their programming and respond to the emerging need to reach out to women. They created a new program OUT (Opening Up Together) that serves LBT women who are involved in crystal meth use.

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
6/10/2010 $10,000.00support general operating expenses.
12/15/2005 $15,000.00support the purchase of computer equipment and software.

Financials

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