Dear SCS community:
As Washington state moves through the pandemic recovery phases this summer, we expect to slowly increase on-site services in our wonderful new clinic space at 6th and Lenora. We are proceeding cautiously because we care about the health of our clients, team members, and the community. Currently, most of our services are still delivered remotely via telehealth. In the event you do not have a phone or computer access, please call or check-in with reception; we can provide a private space in the clinic to connect with your provider. If you are in crisis after 5pm, please call crisis connections at 206-461-3222.
Stay well.
Seattle Counseling Service will have reduced hours of operation until further notice.
| Monday – Friday |
8am – 5pm |
| Saturday – Sunday | Closed |
New!
Online Bill Pay
Mission
Seattle Counseling Service is a community resource that advocates, educates, and serves to advance the social well-being and behavioral health of Gay, Lesbian. Bisexual, and Transgender communities.
Values
Community
Being community-based and client-centered is important to us. We work to provide healing and be part of the fabric that connects and strengthen our beautiful community
LGBTQ-Focused
Although we welcome all people, our historical focus on serving the LGBTQ community has not wavered since our inception in 1969
Accessibility
We strive to remove barriers in access to care for all idntities in our community. We are committed to providing service that is respectful to the dignity and independence of people of all abilities, socio-economic standing, ethnicity, and immigration status.
SCS has relocated!
Follow Updates Here
Learn More
Looking for health services? Get started today.
We are here to help.
Begin by completing our
application for services.
We strictly adhere to all local, state, and federal privacy laws. We will never release any information about you nor even acknowledge that you are a client at SCS to anyone without your express written permission. Paper applications are also available to download.
After completing your application, we will contact you quickly to schedule your first appointment.
Scheduling your appointment
Once we've received your application, it will be reviewed by our Client Services Department. You will normally be contacted within 3 business days to arrange for your first appointment. Wait times for call-backs and appointments are currently taking longer than typical due to high demand and COVID-19. Additionally, you may request that we not leave phone messages for you and/or you may indicate that only certain phone numbers are to be used for communication.
What to expect during your appointment
Your first appointment, called an assessment, will be focused on learning more about your needs and goals for treatment. This session generally takes about two hours. After the first session, you will be matched with an individual counselor best suited to your needs and goals. You will meet with this counselor for individual sessions and they will become your point of contact for all services at SCS.
Your insurance may qualify.
To help expedite your application please provide your insurance carrier information including your member ID and a company contact number. We request that you bring your insurance card to your initial appointment in addition to providing the information on your application. We are available to answer any questions you may have about our programs and services. Messages will be returned.
Need more information? Give us a call.
(206) 323-1768Payment & Fees
Payment of fees, co-pays, and co-insurance are expected at the time of service. We accept cash, debit, and VISA/MasterCard.
Fees vary according to the type of service you receive. If you qualify as low-income and do not have Medicaid or insurance coverage, discounts are available using our sliding scale to help you with costs. Unfortunately, even at the bottom of our sliding scale services are not completely free. Our agency has limited additional grant funds which are subject to availability and qualifying criteria.
We currently accept the following:
MH & SUD Services:
- Bridgespan
- Kaiser Permanente PPO/HMO
- Premera
- Regence
Other Services:
- 1st Choice Health
- Community Health Plan of Washington
- Lifewise
- Molina
What do I do if I am in crisis?
Call the crisis clinic's 24 hour hotline at (866) 427-4747 or (206) 461-3222. If you are already a client of SCS, you may call us at (206) 323-1768 during our business hours Monday throughThursday 8AM-8PM and Friday 8AM to 5PM. If you are looking for information or referrals for local low-income or homeless resources try crisisclinic.org or call toll-free 2-1-1.
What if I do not identify as LBGTQ?
We provide treatment without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, immigration status, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or disability. However, since our mission is to meet the needs of the LGBTQ community and to provide a safe place for sexual minorities, it may be deemed by clinical staff that a referral to another agency may be more appropriate for you. We will not tolerate any actions, language, or attitudes that compromise this mission and the successful treatment of others.
What are your hours and where are you located?
Our office is open Monday through Friday 8AM to 5 PM. We are closed on Saturday and Sunday. We are located at Sixth & Lenora, just 2 blocks north of the Westlake Transit Center.
What qualifications does your staff have?
Our agency is a state licensed community mental health agency and state licensed chemical dependency outpatient treatment facility. All clinical staff members hold Master's level degrees or higher and are credentialed Mental Health Professionals. All staff members have training and experience in providing culturally competent services to LGBTQ clients.
Do you have in-patient services?
SCS is outpatient only. If you need to go into an in-patient program we can help with a referral to another facility.
I'm concerned for my privacy. How do you protect that?
We strictly adhere to all local, state and federal privacy laws. We will never release any information about you nor even acknowledge that you are a client at SCS to anyone without your express written permission. Additionally, you may request that we not leave phone messages for you and/or you may indicate that only certain phone numbers are to be used for communication.
"When I walked in, I felt seen. They knew what to ask and were very considerate—pronouns, legal names, and chosen names. I was surprised by how queer the staff is and how they represented me. It made me feel comfortable."
KWSeattle Counseling Service Client
"I was walking down the hill and SCS popped up, so I walked in, and it was just night and day. It was so welcoming and so inviting that I just felt comfortable."
Tim N.Seattle Counseling Service Client
Mental Health Services
We provide an array of comprehensive outpatient mental health services. We help individuals and families with everything from single episode to mild and severe mental illness. We place a special emphasis on strengths-based counseling because we believe in the power and ability of each person to heal themselves.
Substance Use Disorder Services
We offer a complete substance use disorder outpatient treatment program specifically designed to meet the needs of LGBTQ individuals and their families. We can help individuals recover from addiction to alcohol and drugs in an atmosphere free from homophobia, prejudice, fear, shame, ignorance, and heterosexism.
Other Programs & Services
We provide many other services for our community, including monthly and weekly support groups, peer-led outreach programs, HIV prevention, PReP assistance, and compassionate harm-reduction programs for needle exchange and safe sex education.
Seattle Counseling Service 2020 Annual Report
News and upcoming events
Recovery is for Everyone!
September 2, 2021Dear SCS Friends, Fall is around the corner as we move into September – a season that represents abundance, prosperity, and wealth; September is also the annual National Recovery Month. Now in its 32nd year, Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery, just as we celebrate improvements made by those who are...
Update from the Board
June 23, 2021For over fifty years—just as long as there have been Pride marches in the United States—SCS has been serving our LGBTQ+ community. Over the years, we have seen Pride marches for acceptance, visibility, and rights grow to Pride parades full of celebration of our lives and our cultures, while still raising up the issues...
Happy Pride, Seattle! 🏳️🌈 a farewell letter from Ann McGettigan
June 22, 2021Dear Friends – Happy Pride! As some of you know, I have officially retired from my role as Executive Director for Seattle Counseling Service (SCS). What an honor and privilege it’s been to lead this organization for 22 years. I’m reflecting on my early times with the organization and remember being “lured in” by...
2020 Annual Report
June 14, 20212020 was a year like we’ve never seen before — and while SCS weathered plenty of change during this time, our commitment and response to making services accessible to our community was steadfast. Thank you to everyone — clients, staff, donors, volunteers, and community members, who have continued to support SCS as we navigate how...
Seattle Counseling Service Announces Victor Loo as Executive Director
May 7, 2021SEATTLE – MAY 5, 2021 – Seattle Counseling Service (SCS), the oldest behavioral health agency in the country to serve lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals, today named Victor Loo (he/him/his) as its new Executive Director. Loo was selected after a national search and follows the retirement of former Executive Director Ann McGettigan who...
Seattle Counseling Service Announces Leadership Transition
March 19, 2021After 22 years leading Seattle Counseling Service (SCS), Executive Director Ann McGettigan has announced her plans to retire from the agency on April 15, 2021. McGettigan has spent her decades-long career dedicated to the mission of Seattle Counseling service. Under Ann’s leadership, SCS has solidified its place as one of the leading LGBTQ+ resources in...