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Wellness

LGBTQ+ people--especially those in intersectional communities--face unique challenges related to physical and mental healthcare.

For example, more than half of LGBTQ+ individuals report having experienced some form of healthcare discrimination. BIPOC in the LGBTQ+ community are more than twice as likely as their white counterparts to avoid or delay healthcare. Transgender people often experience disparities in healthcare related to a lack of knowledgable providers, discrimination issues aside. Add to all this, LGBTQ+ people are more likely to experience mental health issues, including those related to PTSD, anxiety, and depression. 

 

The goal of the RCNW Wellness Guide is to make it easier for members of the LGBTQ+ community to get the help they need, when they need it by identifying affirming, caring, and expert providers. In addition, we offer articles and advice on how to be your own best advocate. 

We want to empower you to take care of yourself. Your health is important and you have a right to it!


 

Teen gay couple

Related Articles

Providers

AB McSpadden

Jefferson

It is an honor to serve Washington's queer and trans community. As a queer, nonbinary therapist, I am committed to creating equitable therapeutic relationships. Whether you are beginning to investigate pain you have been carrying, seeking an additional source of support, or deepening your practice of self-exploration, I am here as your advocate and co-conspirator.

Bainbridge Psychotherapy Guild

Kitsap

A non-profit association of psychotherapists practicing on Bainbridge Island. Their mission is to promote dialogue among psychotherapists working on Bainbridge and to serve as liaison between the community of psychotherapists with the local community. Includes a search engine and a dedicated Gay & Lesbian page.

Harrison Health Partners Endocrinology

Kitsap

Provide endocrine care for LGBTQ+ patients.

Kelly Hadley

Kitsap

Sees only LGBTQ+ clients, with a focus on Transgender issues.

Nani Baran

Kitsap

Nani Baran is a Washington State Licensed therapist, Located in Poulsbo. She specializes in a range of life events including grief counseling, anxiety, trauma and depression. Nani strives to help people feel safe enough to open up to look at and feel what wants to be healed. She is fluent in ASL, and accepts Kaiser Permenente insurance.

Outlier Wellness

Kitsap

Virginia Sun Moore (they/them) serves LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals (13+), couples, and families. They specialize in gender-affirming care and letter writing; identity development; trauma recovery; and intergenerational growth. Virginia Sun is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor-Associate (LMHC-A), a Child Mental Health Specialist (CMHS); a Mental Health Professional (MHP), and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC).

Aubrey Lough - Creating Growth Counseling

Kitsap

I am a mental health and substance use disorder professional providing individual, couple, and family therapy to clients throughout Washington State via telehealth. I am a strong advocate and ally for the LGBTQIA2S+ and poly/kink communities. I specialize in supporting clients struggling with their own or a loved one’s self-harm, suicidal ideation, and/or substance use, as well as helping couples and families to interrupt and transform ineffective communication patterns. I focus on removing shame and finding empowerment through strengths-based communication and developing effective coping skills.

Flourish Psychotherapy

Kitsap

Therapy can offer the space you need to grow, unfurl, and become who you want to be. Growth and liberation don’t happen overnight— they are made possible through relationships that offer dignity, safety, and belonging. Therapy provides a relationship where we work to cultivate the capacity for self-compassion, relationship, and possibility for you to flourish.

Henry Malus, ND

Kitsap

Primary and integrative mental health care. Medication management including HRT. Telemedicine options in WA & OR. In-person visits on Bainbridge Island.

Kim Burke

Kitsap

Kim is a Washington State Licensed Therapist, who believes you can find the calm, healing, clarity, and joy you seek. She works predominately with clients who experience anxiety and adjustment disorders, ADHD, trauma and PTSD, depression, self-harm, and gender dysphoria. Accepts Aetna, Primera, Regence or Private Pay.

Northwest Washington Family Medicine Residency

Kitsap

Family medicine residency clinic with physicians that are LGBTQ+ friendly and wanting to create an open and welcoming environment. Offering resources including introductory gender-affirming care and referrals for more in-depth treatment options, Prep administration, and HIV clinic. LGBTQ+ & Allied Physicians: Mylan Panteah MD, Heather Morgan MD, Jasmyn Taylor MD, Cole Macke DO, Alisa Seng DO, Brian Bachmann DO, Conner Smith DO, Bryson Bellefueille DO, Juliet Bliss DO, Michael Watson MD

Planned Parenthood West Sound

Kitsap & National

National resource that provides health and sexual wellness services to millions, as well as advocacy and education.

Resources

Organizations

Fishline Food Bank and Comprehensive Services

Kitsap

Fishline has a 55-year history of assisting households and individuals who have slipped through the holes of the community’s safety net. Our services include: food, showers, free clothing, toiletries, mental health counseling, case management, and financial assistance. Our partner agencies, located at our site, offer food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), caregiver support, employment assistance, veterans’ needs, dental care, peer-to-peer counseling, substance abuse support, and mediation. Fishline’s case managers routinely assist survivors of domestic abuse, unhoused individuals, low-income families, and those afflicted with mental and physical health disorders.

Jefferson County Transgender Support

Jefferson

JCTS exists to prevent isolation and provide peer understanding for trans and gender-nonconforming individuals. We strive to empower each other, share with one another, and provide a space for us to be open and communicate on an issue that affects all members. We are a safe space for people to talk about personal issues, experiences, struggles, and thoughts.

National Alliance on Mental Health- Jefferson County

Jefferson & National

Mental Health Resources in Jefferson County.

National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network

National

NQTTCN is a healing justice organization that actively works to transform mental health for QTPOC

PFLAG Bremerton/Kitsap County

Kitsap & National

PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies.

Q Youth Resources

Kitsap

Q Youth Resources is an all-volunteer nonprofit that provides a safe space for gender and sexual minority (GSM) youth. They support youth development through skill building activties and resources that build confidence and empower GSM youth.

Helpline House

Bainbridge Island

Cost-free social service case management, counseling, food bank, resources and referrals.

Latinx Therapy

National

Latinx Therapy's mission is to destigmatize mental health in the latinx community, they strive to provide culturally-grounded workshops and services to our community. Latinx Therapy has a bilingual podcast and national directory.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)- Kitsap County

Kitsap & National

The mission of NAMI Kitsap County is to improve the quality of life for individuals with severe mental illnesses and their families. We are dedicated to providing education, support and advocacy for persons with mental illnesses, their families and the wider community.

Open Path Collective

National

Open Path Psychotherapy Collective is a non-profit nationwide network of mental health professionals dedicated to providing in-office and online mental health care—at a steeply reduced rate—to individuals, couples, children, and families in need.

Planned Parenthood West Sound

Kitsap & National

National resource that provides health and sexual wellness services to millions, as well as advocacy and education.

Queer Hike Kitsap

Kitsap

A community group of nature lovers for any human identifying as LGBTQIA+ in the Kitsap and nearby areas. Join us for our monthly hikes to socialize, move our bodies and connect with nature.

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