An important message to the SCS community.
We care about the health of our clients, our team members, and the community and in order to do so we have implemented temporary policies to reduce the number of people in the building. Starting Monday March 16th , until further notice, Seattle Counseling Service’s walk-in hours are currently suspended. All sessions will be done remotely aside from assessments for new clients. If you are in crisis after 5pm, please call crisis connections at 206-461-3222 . If you are needing services please fill out an application. Our client services team will follow up with you to connect you to services.
These are temporary measures to minimize the health and safety risks to team members and our clients.
Stay well.
Celebrating
50 Years of Service
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 appointments vary and are subject to availability. 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 Thursday 8AM to 8PM and Friday 8AM to 5PM. We are closed on Saturday and Sunday. We are located on the corner of Pine Street and Melrose Avenue in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle at 1216 Pine Street.
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.
SCS 2018 Digital Impact Report
News and upcoming events
SCS Celebrates 50 Years of Service
September 4, 2019Seattle Counseling Services celebrates 50 years of service. It is the oldest behavioral health agency in the country to serve lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. On April 27th, 2019, SCS gathered with community to celebrate this milestone at our Gala, and on July 26th gathered at Cal Anderson Park for our 50th Anniversary...
Peer Specialist Adrien on Sex Work and Feminism
September 4, 2019Adrien (they/them) is a Peer Specialist with Project PEER at Seattle Counseling Service. They have a background in social work with an emphasis on activism for sex worker’s rights. They are also passionate about writing and publishing in the intersections of sex work and public policy. Adrien has been instrumental at SCS in expanding Project...
Transmasculine Support Group Fall 2019
August 14, 2019This group is open to the community (no client enrollment at SCS necessary). Anyone who feels they have a place in this space is welcome, including nonbinary and genderqueer individuals. Topics will be determined on an ongoing basis, as needed. Tuesdays 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Drop-in series every week from August 27th to December...
16th Annual LEO Party
August 1, 2019In 2003, the LEO Party was formed by community member Joe Torres, using his birthday as an opportunity to give back to the community he loves. Sixteen years later, this drag show celebration and fundraiser is back again supporting SCS, Entre Hermanos, and Somos Seattle. Hosted by Aleksa Manila and Roxy Doll, featuring Derrick...
Dr. Paul Grekin’s Departure
July 10, 2019Paul Grekin has served as medical director at Seattle Counseling Service for 23 years, providing psychiatric care to clients, supervising medical staff, and providing consultation to therapy staff. Since he first assumed the role of medical director at SCS, Dr. Grekin has worked to ensure that the treatment provided by all departments at SCS is...
Welcoming New Medical Director: Deidre McHugh, ARNP
July 10, 2019Deidre first joined Seattle Counseling Service as a psychiatric provider in May of 2018, and as of July 1st, 2019, has accepted the role of Medical Director. We are thrilled to welcome her onto our leadership team with the expertise, care, and experience she brings to our agency and to our clients. Deidre McHugh (she/her)...