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
SCS is Relocating!
Follow Updates Here
Learn More
Looking for health services? Get started today.
Thank you for your interest in services at Seattle Counseling Service.
At this time, in order to meet the needs of our current clients, we are not accepting any new applications for services. If you are experiencing a crisis, please contact Crisis Connections at 866-427-4747
To get on a waitlist for when we are able to begin taking clients again, please fill out the following form and we will reach out as soon as we are able. Please note, this may be a 30 day or more wait.
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 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.
SCS 2018 Digital Impact Report
News and upcoming events
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...
SCS Covid-19 Response & Resources
November 6, 2020In response to the novel coronavirus pandemic in the United States, Seattle Counseling Service has worked to implement a response that is inclusive, supports social distancing measures, and will allow clients the option to choose between Telehealth and booking out rooms online with staff. Some changes we have implemented are: Increased air purification and cleaning...
Welcoming New Executive Leadership
July 1, 2020Danie Eagleton | Clinical Director Danie (she/her) earned a B.A. in psychology from Seattle University and a master’s in education in Counseling Psychology from Howard University. She has worked in mental health for 16+ years with both kids and adults. Danie is a passionate advocate for people living their lives with mental illness and other...
We’re Moving!
May 19, 2020While it is with a heavy heart that we leave the Capitol Hill neighborhood, we will be able to better serve our clients and expand the reach of care in these new facilities. We know that change can be hard as we’ve been in our current location for over 16 years, but we will be...
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...