Top 5 LGBTQ+ Mental Health Centers in Florida
Florida does not have a glowing reputation with the LGBTQ community.
Governor Ron DeSantis has implemented statewide anti-LGBTQ policies such as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, legally known as the Parental Rights in Education Act.
He has approved of guidelines that violate citizens’ right to personal healthcare on the basis of outdated studies or studies conducted by obvious anti-transgender sources.
I could go on and on…
Now that he has been reelected, we can expect more human rights violations targeted at the LGBTQIA+ community to surface from his administration. Sadly, these types of inhumane legislation will likely continue to get passed in Florida until DeSantis is replaced with a competent, sane, and humane governor.
Meaning, the LGBTQ community in Florida is going to face more hardship, leading to poor mental health outcomes. That is why today we are going to cover my top five picks for LGBTQIA+ mental health centers in Florida.
As of December 2022, these centers are in operation. This list will be updated if any center is shut down, by choice or by force.
ZEBRA COALITION
The Zebra Coalition is a nonprofit organization on a mission to empower LGBTQ+ youth to thrive. They’re one of the best LGBTQ+ serving organizations in the sunshine state, having won the Metropolitan Business Association’s Pride in Business Award for 2019 Nonprofit of the Year, the 2016 Service and Leadership Award by Equality Florida, and many more acclaims.
The nonprofit offers free, trauma-informed, age-appropriate mental health counseling services tailored for homeless or at-risk LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 13 and 24. Their licensed therapists are culturally competent and focus on providing individualized treatment to help youth become self-sufficient, confident, and healthy.
Additionally, the Zebra Coalition provides housing services, youth care coordination, youth meetups, and training and speaking opportunities. They also operate a safe and supervised drop-in center where LGBTQ+ youth can eat, shower, brush their teeth, and do laundry.
REVIEW
“It was really helpful that I knew it was a safe space for LGBT+ and marginalized folks. I wouldn't have felt safe enough to talk about a lot of these topics with many therapists.”
~ Anonymous review by a youth who received services at the Zebra Coalition.
Learn more about the Zebra Coalition on our resource page.
THE ALLIANCE FOR LGBTQ YOUTH
The Alliance for LGBTQ Youth is a nonprofit organization in North Miami that offers a variety of free mental health services to LGBTQ+ youth and their families. Their services include:
Affirming and confidential individual or group counseling.
Parent support groups.
Care coordination to identify and meet an individual’s or family’s needs such as educational concerns, family conflict, or finding employment.
Youth leadership development through their ChangeMakers cohort.
Family support services that are tailored to each family’s needs. These services can include connecting families to resources, education, financial support, and more.
The Alliance for LGBTQ Youth is also involved in policy advocacy and offers training to community organizations and schools.
Learn more about the Alliance for GLBTQ Youth on our resource page.
CAN COMMUNITY HEALTH
This organization has been serving the LGBTQ+ community for over 30 years. CAN Community Health’s impact is expansive and life-changing. Some of their services include:
Mental health therapy and counseling.
Case management.
HIV education and peer support.
Patient health education.
HIV and HEP C testing.
PrEP
Immunizations.
Pharmacy services.
Intervention programs.
Housing assistance.
Honestly, they do too much to list..and that’s a good thing! But it also means I cannot fully capture their work. To learn more about CAN Community Health, visit our resource page.
It is important to note that the services they provide are not free. However, according to the official website, they claim to take the following insurance plans/providers:
Medicare, Medicare RR, Medicaid, Aetna, Ambetter/Sunshine, Clear Health Alliance, Cigna, Coventry MCR, Coventry FL, Coventry National, FL BC/BS, Hum MCD, Humana MCR, Humana Commercial, Molina MCR, Molina MCD, MultiPlan, PHCS, PHCS Savility, Prestige, Simply, Staywell/Wellcare, Sunshine, UHC Commercial and Medicare, and WellCare/Staywell.
REVIEW
"I am treated pleasantly and with respect. I am confident in my care. I feel loved and I feel like family."
~ Anonymous review from a patient, CAN Community Health website
COMPASS COMMUNITY LGBTQ+ CENTER
Compass is one of the most respected LGBTQ+ organizations in Florida. Their mission is to engage, empower, and enrich the lives of LGBTQ people and those impacted by HIV/AIDS.
Compass’ mental health services include individual/relationship counseling, group therapy, and support groups. They also have a directory of affordable licensed mental health professionals that have experience working with the LGBTQ+ community.
The organization has a dedicated youth department that offers a drop-in center for ages 11 to 18, social groups, youth therapy groups, a mentorship program, QChat Space online discussion groups, special events, and more.
Keep in mind that Compass’ mental health services are not free and the organization does not accept insurance. Instead, they do offer pricing on a sliding scale that caters to any income. Other organizations on this list offer 100% free services, which is why Compass ranks lower than them. Their services are still as exceptional as all the centers listed here.
REVIEW
“The staff are extremely friendly and welcoming to everyone. Our child attends the youth groups and has made great friends. Compass is a safe, supportive space for all ages, but especially for kids and teens. Highly recommended.”
~ Karen Y., Compass’ Facebook Page Reviews
SUNSERVE
SunServe's mission is “to provide critical life assistance and professional mental health services with an emphasis on economically disadvantaged, marginalized youth, adults, and seniors in the greater South Florida metropolitan area.”
Their outstanding outpatient mental health services help support LGBTQIA+ individuals, families, youth, and groups. They provide peer counseling, support service, senior daycare, case management for substance use disorder and housing, training and education, and support groups for trans individuals.
SunServe also has youth-specific services that aim to "inspire LGBTQIA youth to identify their strengths, overcome their challenges, and recognize the unique gifts they have to offer the world.”
Through its Youth Leadership Council, TIP program, youth life coaching, and youth mental health program, SunServe is making a huge impact in the lives of Florida’s LGBTQ+ youth.
They are an organization that is truly dedicated to healing, uplifting, and empowering the community. Learn more about SunServe on our resource page.
REVIEW
“The mental health team has changed my [family's] life! There are no words that can describe our gratitude for this organization! Thank you SunServe Social Services from the bottom of my heart!”
~ Katrina W., SunServe Facebook Page Review
The CALM Blog, The CALM Cast, or The Community Advocates for LGBTQ+ Mental Health are not affiliated with any of the organizations featured in the “Top 5 LGBTQ+ Mental Health Center in Florida” publication on www.thecalmblog.com. This piece is the opinions of its author. Seeking or receiving services at any organization listed on www.thecalmblog.com is your voluntary choice. Always consult with a licensed medical professional before making decisions regarding treatment or use of services.
Sources:
https://zebrayouth.org/ https://www.sunserve.org/ https://outcoast.com/florida-lgbt-organizations-that-are-making-a-difference/ https://all4lgbtqyouth.org/ https://compassglcc.com/ https://www.cancommunityhealth.org/
