Gay Counseling in the USA

Private Counselors.

There are a huge range of counseling services and approaches available in the United States. Many counselors advertise that they specialize in assisting gay, bisexual and transgender people and there are many skilled practitioners out there. It is easy to find gay counselors in the US by searching online. You can start by searching Google for "gay counseling" + your town, or if you prefer an internet based service "gay online counselor" or "gay Skype counseling" for example. There are also web-based directories where you can search for counselors across the USA.

Beware of any counselor who advertises they do 'reparative therapy' or 'ex-gay' therapy. Mainstream medical and scientific organizations do not support these approaches and consider them potentially harmful. The most reputable counseling associations in the United States recommend that ethical psychologists and other practitioners do not even refer people to these such counselors. Check with the counselor first to make sure they are supportive of gay people. Often it is better to meet with someone who is also gay and glad to be gay.

You can search for counselors on these directories:

Find a Therapist.com A directory which includes counselors who work with gay and lesbian people.
GoodTherapy.org A directory where you can search for therapists who work with sexuality concerns.
HelpPro lets you search in your area for therapists working with sexuality issues or sexual orientation.
Gay and Lesbian Yellow Pages provides details of all kinds of gay friendly services.
Narrative Connections lists practitioners of narrative therapy in the USA.

Professional Associations.

Check the credentials of your counselor or therapist. They should be licensed or a member of a reputable professional association. If they are not, you may want to ask the counselor who they are accountable to.

The American Counseling Association is the world's largest association representing professional counselors.

The National Association of Social Workers can help you find counselors in your area.

Mental Health America has tips on how to find low-cost mental health care or psychological therapy.

Many gay and lesbian centers across America offer low cost professional counseling or free peer counseling. Low-cost services may have waiting times or their staff may be volunteers and not professionally trained. Also, you may have to talk with a different counselor for each appointment.

The Gay & Lesbian National Help Centre offers confidential peer (non-professional) counseling, information and resources through their free nationwide telephone hotline.

California
Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Centre offers low cost mental health services to the gay community.

Florida
The Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Community Center of Central Florida offers professional counseling.

New York

SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders) is a non-profit organization offering counseling services to seniors (60+ or 50+ if HIV positive).

Pennsylvania
William Way Center offers free peer counseling (non-professional) over the phone.

*We will be adding more services here over time.

Services for Youth and Students.

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network  is an organization for students, parents, and teachers that tries to affect positive change in schools.

The Trevor Project is a national 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide hotline for gay and questioning youth.

Other Support Services.

PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. They can put you in touch with support groups and gay counseling services in your town or nearest large.