Behavioral Health
Currently, we are only able to provide behavioral health services to patients engaged in primary care at Callen-Lorde and who are uninsured, or have Medicaid, Medicare, or ADAP (we do not accept private/commercial insurances for Behavioral Health at this time).
For patients receiving medical care at Callen-Lorde, our Behavioral Health team offers individual and group counseling to support your emotional and physical well-being. Callen-Lorde is committed to providing services that are affirmative, sex-positive, culturally sensitive, consistent with risk reduction principles, and that promote patient self-determination.
Behavioral Health services offered include:
Behavioral Health Consultation/Individual Counseling
Patients engaged in medical care at Callen-Lorde who have Medicaid, Medicare, Healthfirst, ADAP, Amidacare, or Metroplus insurance can receive short-term individualized counseling, or, receive a referral to another provider who may better meet your needs. Unfortunately, we cannot accept patients into Behavioral Health who are not primary care patients or who have commercial insurance.
Transgender Counseling and Education
The Transgender Counseling and Education session aims to offer specialized information and support to Callen-Lorde patients of transgender experience, including information and support on Hormone Therapy.
Substance Use Assessment and Referral
If you have concerns about your drug, alcohol, sex and/or internet use, a counselor can connect you to the help you need. The service is flexible. Whether you are looking to reduce your use or completely stop, our counselor can offer you a range of referrals.
Save a Life: Carry Narcan, Use Drug Testing Strips
Naloxone, also known as its brand name Narcan, is a safe and effective medication used to counteract the effects of an opioid overdose. It can reverse the effects of opioids like heroin, morphine, fentanyl, prescription pain medications, and other synthetic opioids. Using naloxone is as easy as three simple steps: peel the packaging, place the device in one nostril, and press the plunger. Anyone can use or administer naloxone, and it is a safe way to completely reverse an opioid overdose.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that can be deadly, even in very small amounts. Xylazine is a dangerous tranquilizer that, like Fentanyl, is found mixed with other drugs in NYC. Drug testing strips can help detect the presence of fentanyl or xylazine in drugs.
Free naloxone kits and fentanyl and xylazine test strips are available at Callen-Lorde and many other community-based organizations and pharmacies throughout New York State. For more information on kits, strips, or trainings, visit nyc.gov/naloxone or https://oasas.ny.gov/prevent-overdose
Psychiatric Services
Our staff psychiatrists are primarily available for an initial evaluation visit and follow-up visits based on your needs. A referral to our psychiatrist is usually made by your medical or mental health provider if they and you think medication may help your mental health problems.
Additional Resources
- The Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists offers numerous resources for LGBT people who are experiencing mental health conditions, including a directory of LGBT-friendly therapists.
- The GLBT National Help Center provides multiple resources and access to a hotline and a youth chat line.
- GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) provides an annual report called the National School Climate Survey, which reports on the experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth in U.S. schools.
- The Pride Institute is an unlocked, LGBT-exclusive facility that offers a residential treatment program, including psychiatric care for depression, anxiety and other needs.
- The Trevor Project is a multimedia support network for LGBTQ youth providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
- Manhattan Alternative provides a list of kink, poly, trans & LGBTQ affirmative providers.