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Timeline

Seattle Counseling Service over the years.

Founded in 1969, Seattle Counseling Service is proud to be the oldest LGBTQ-focused community mental health agency in the world! We continue to add new programs and services to meet the changing needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities.

1967 – Dorian Society
1967 – Dorian Society
1967

First established in 1967, The Dorian Society was the only LGBTQ organization in Seattle that was neither a bar nor a bathhouse. It was dedicated to advocacy and public policy working to repeal discriminatory laws. Seattle Counseling Service was established within The Dorian Society by Dr. Robert Deisher in 1969.
1969 – Malden House
1969 – Malden House
1969

Also known as the Dorian House, 320 Malden Ave. E was the home of The Dorian Society and Seattle Counseling Service. As advertised in their newsletter known
as the Dorian Columns, “the counseling, which is absolutely confidential and free, is designed to assist those who are having emotional, medical, religious or employment difficulties”.
1969 – Dr. Robert Deisher
1969 – Dr. Robert Deisher
1969

At a time when these actions were unheard of, Dr. Robert Deisher sought private and government support for social services for gay youth. With that funding, he opened Seattle Counseling Service – the first counseling center for sexual minorities in the country.
1974 – First Trans Support Group
1974 – First Trans Support Group
1974

In 1974, Marsha Botzer organized a support group for trans individuals in response to emerging discussions and need for services around gender identity. This group was the beginnings of what is now known as the Ingersoll Gender Center, which officially formed in 1977. To this day, this weekly support group is still held and has never missed one week since its inception.
1974 – Funding Scare
1974 – Funding Scare
1974

When SCS was in the process of applying to be a fully licensed mental health agency, we received a report with criticisms of the way the organization was run. Some of the critiques were that the dress, demeanor, etc. of the staff would turn off any middle or upper-class youth or adults” and that poor people “didn’t have sexual orientation problems”.
1978 – Reporting Hate Crimes
1978 – Reporting Hate Crimes
1978

With increasing assaults on LGBTQ individuals, SCS began organizing the community to report attacks in an attempt to get justice.
1983 – First Domestic Violence Program
1983 – First Domestic Violence Program
1983

SCS becomes the first agency in the country to treat gay & lesbian batterers in same-sex relationships.
1985 – First LGBTQ Agency with United Way
1985 – First LGBTQ Agency with United Way
1985

SCS becomes a member of United Way of King County as the first LGBTQ Agency.
1985 – HIV Antibody Test Counseling Program
1985 – HIV Antibody Test Counseling Program
1985

SCS collaborates with the Seattle Gay Clinic to provide free and anonymous HIV testing and counseling.
1986 – Long-Term Psychotherapy
1986 – Long-Term Psychotherapy
1986

SCS begins providing long­term psychotherapy to persons living with AIDS, in addition to an AIDS drop-in group.
1989 – AIDS Crisis Intervention Program Begins
1989 – AIDS Crisis Intervention Program Begins
1989

It is the first in the country to provide face-to-face services within 48 hours to anyone dealing with an HIV/AIDS-related crisis.
1990 – Increased Demand Prompts SCS Relocation
1990 – Increased Demand Prompts SCS Relocation
1990

Due to insufficient space at the office off of Broadway and Pike Street, SCS moved to Queen Anne under the leadership of Executive Director Michael Auch.
1992 – DSHS Contract
1992 – DSHS Contract
1992

SCS is awarded its first DSHS contract to provide training on sexual minority health issues to mental health professionals across Washington State.
1994 – 1-800-5B-PROUD
1994 – 1-800-5B-PROUD
1994

Funded by the Pride Foundation, Seattle Counseling Service’s support hotline was able to expand out of King County to make support more accessible for those living further away from the city.
1998- SCS Welcomes Ann McGettigan
1998- SCS Welcomes Ann McGettigan
1998

Bringing 19 years of nonprofit management and most recently the Executive Director of Seattle Rape Relief, Ann McGettigan began her work as Executive Director at Seattle Counseling Service.
2003 – SCS Adopts Project NEON
2003 – SCS Adopts Project NEON
2003

In 2003, Seattle Counseling Service collaborated with King County Public Health to house Project NEON, a harm-reduction program for users of crystal methamphetamine. This same year, SCS became officially licensed for outpatient Chemical Dependency Services.
2004 – Move to Pine & Melrose
2004 – Move to Pine & Melrose
2004

After moving to Queen Anne and several other Capitol Hill locations, SCS settles in the building off the corner of Pine Street and Melrose.
2006 SCS Gets a Rainbow
2006 SCS Gets a Rainbow
2006

Thanks to a grant from the Boeing Employees Fund, we were able to install our beloved 17-foot neon rainbow sign on the side of our building that can be seen from 1-5.
2007 – SHIFT: A Peer Recovery Network
2007 – SHIFT: A Peer Recovery Network
2006

SHIFT was formed as a collaboration of agencies – SCS, Dunshee House, Gay City, and Multifaith Works, to provide comprehensive recovery support services to people in the LGBTQ+ community.
2009 – LBTQ Women Breaking the Ice
2009 – LBTQ Women Breaking the Ice
2009

Project Inform was created between SCS and King County Department of Human Services, Mental Health, Chemical Abuse and Dependency Services Division to increase awareness within the LGBTQ community about methamphetamine and improve access to resources for those who want to change behavior related to abuse or addiction.
2013 – HASAP Program Begins
2013 – HASAP Program Begins
2013

SCS received funding from King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division to implement the Hepatitis and AIDS Substance Abuse Program.
2014 – Affordable Care Act
2014 – Affordable Care Act
2014

The passing of the ACA brings unprecedented growth to the agency as more low-income individuals than ever gain access to comprehensive behavioral health services.
2015 IRUO Project Begins
2015 IRUO Project Begins
2015

In 2015, SCS received funding to identify major barriers LGBTQ+ identified immigrant, refugee, and undocumented individuals face in accessing behavioral health services in the Seattle-King County area.
2017 – Project PEER is Formed
2017 – Project PEER is Formed
2017

Born out of Project NEON, Project PEER was formed as a peer-led outreach and engagement program intended to assist those at risk for acquiring HIV.
2019 – SCS Celebrates 50 Years of Service
2019 – SCS Celebrates 50 Years of Service
2019

Seattle 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.
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